What are the best techniques for streamlining your 2D animation workflow?

1 Use a storyboard

A storyboard is a visual representation of your animation, showing the main scenes, actions, transitions, and timings. It helps you to organize your ideas, communicate your vision, and identify potential problems before you start animating. You can use a simple sketch or a more detailed drawing, depending on your preference and project scope. A storyboard also serves as a reference for your animation, allowing you to track your progress and make adjustments as needed.

2 Choose the right software

There are many software options for 2D animation, each with its own features, advantages, and limitations. You should choose the one that suits your style, budget, and goals, as well as the requirements of your project and client. Some of the most popular 2D animation software are Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Moho, Spine, and Blender. You should also consider the compatibility, integration, and export options of the software, as well as the availability of tutorials, support, and community.

3 Create reusable assets

One of the ways to save time and effort in your 2D animation workflow is to create reusable assets, such as characters, backgrounds, props, and effects. You can design them once and use them multiple times, in different scenes, projects, or styles. You can also modify them easily, by changing their colors, sizes, shapes, or poses. You can store your assets in a library or a folder, and label them clearly for easy access and organization.

4 Use rigging and bone tools

Rigging and bone tools are features that allow you to create skeletons and joints for your 2D characters, and control their movements and deformations. They can help you to animate faster and more realistically, by reducing the number of keyframes and tweens you need to create. You can also use inverse kinematics (IK), which is a technique that calculates the position and orientation of the bones based on the position of the end effector (such as a hand or a foot). Rigging and bone tools are available in some 2D animation software, such as Toon Boom Harmony, Moho, and Spine.

5 Use symbols and smart objects

Symbols and smart objects are elements that you can create and edit independently from the main timeline, and then reuse and manipulate in your animation. They can help you to simplify your workflow, by reducing the number of layers and files you need to manage. You can also use them to create complex animations, such as loops, cycles, morphs, and transformations. Symbols and smart objects are available in some 2D animation software, such as Adobe Animate and Toon Boom Harmony.

6 Optimize your output

The final step of your 2D animation workflow is to export your animation to the desired format, resolution, and quality. You should optimize your output, by choosing the best settings for your purpose and platform, and minimizing the file size and loading time. You should also test your animation on different devices and browsers, and make sure it works properly and looks good. You can use tools such as Adobe Media Encoder, HandBrake, or TinyPNG to compress and convert your animation files.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?