How can poor timing and spacing make character movement feel floaty or unnatural even with correct poses?

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How can poor timing and spacing make character movement feel floaty or unnatural even with correct poses?

Asked on Oct 24, 2025

Answer

Poor timing and spacing can make character movement feel floaty or unnatural because they disrupt the illusion of weight and momentum, even if the key poses are correct. Proper timing ensures that the motion has the right speed and rhythm, while spacing determines how the character moves between poses, affecting the perception of acceleration and deceleration.

Example Concept: Timing and spacing are crucial for conveying weight and realism in animation. Incorrect timing can make movements appear too slow or fast, lacking the necessary impact or follow-through. Spacing that is too even or inconsistent can cause the character to seem as if they're gliding without friction or resistance, leading to a floaty appearance.

Additional Comment:

Ensure timing reflects the character's weight and intent by adjusting the duration of each action.
Use spacing to create believable acceleration and deceleration, adding more frames where the motion slows down.
Incorporate easing to smooth transitions and emphasize key moments in the animation.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

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