Game Art Game Animation Principles

Question 1

What is a 'rig' in 3D game character animation?

Accepted Answer

A system of bones and controls layered over a 3D mesh that animators use to pose and animate the character

Answer

A rig is a skeleton and control system built inside a 3D character mesh that allows animators to pose and animate the model.

Question 2

What is 'squash and stretch' as applied to game animation?

Accepted Answer

An animation principle that exaggerates deformation to convey mass, weight, and impact during movement

Answer

Squash and stretch exaggerates a character's shape during motion — like a ball flattening on impact — to sell weight and energy in an animation.

Question 3

What is 'anticipation' in game character animation?

Accepted Answer

A preparatory motion before the main action that primes the player to perceive the incoming move

Answer

Anticipation is a preparatory backward or winding-up motion before the main action, communicating intent and making the main movement feel more powerful.

Question 4

What does 'follow-through' mean in game character animation?

Accepted Answer

The continuation of movement in secondary elements (hair, clothing) after the main body motion has stopped

Answer

Follow-through captures how secondary elements continue to move after the primary action stops, adding life and realism to a character.

Question 5

What is 'secondary animation' in game character art?

Accepted Answer

Motion applied to non-primary elements like hair, cloth, and accessories that react physically to the character's main movement

Answer

Secondary animation adds life by making hair, capes, pouches, and loose clothing react naturally to the character's movement.

Game Art Practice Test

Game Art Practice Test

Game Art Game Animation Principles