Timing Charts — Translating Pose into Weight
Two quick gestures: a heavy drop that reads mass through long, grounded exposures, and a light hop that reads spring through short, staccato exposures. This page shows how to turn those pose intentions into a compact timing chart that communicates weight to the viewer.
What a timing chart is
Timing chart: a compact grid mapping pose exposures (boxes) and in-betweens (spacing) to frames. Use it as a non-destructive annotation layer that records intent, not a final pass.
Notation: boxes = exposure spans; thin ticks = frame divisions; curves = ease-in/ease-out direction; arrows = impulse or force vector.
Visual taxonomy — small timing specimens
Hold-heavy — long exposures, wide spacing after a grounded pose.
Staccato-light — short, repeated exposures to sell spring and quick recoveries.
Shifting-weight — stagger core and secondary exposures; read mass first, parts after.
Readable cues: exposure length implies inertia; stagger implies mass transfer; micro-holds sell impulse.
Making intent explicit — a compact workflow
Translate pose intent into frame-level timing without altering artwork. Think of the chart as a conversation layer: it states what must happen and when, not how to redraw each frame.
- Observe pose intent — is the core mass expected to stop, roll, or rebound?
- Choose the core-mass anchor — mark exposures for the torso or main weight-bearing element first.
- Map core exposures — set exposure lengths to imply inertia (long = heavy; short = light).
- Layer secondary offsets — add staggered exposures for limbs, cloth, and props to suggest sequencing.
Verifiable distinctions — use these checks to read or review a chart:
- Core exposure longer than secondary exposures for heavy feel.
- Staggered offsets present when parts should trail or lead.
- Micro-holds occur at points of impulse or contact.
Case study — reading a landing
Interpret each exposure as part of a force sequence: impulse (impact), compression (absorb), and recovery (return). Below are two annotated charts: Heavy landing and Bouncy landing. The toggle beside the chart swaps which illustration is emphasized; both interpretations are described so the page remains readable without interaction.
Impact, absorb, recovery — these three phases stay the same. Timing choices alter perceived mass: lengthen the absorption exposure to read weight; shorten and add rhythmic rebounds to read spring.
If JavaScript is disabled, both interpretations are described above — inspect the annotations to compare how exposures and offsets change the story.
Common pitfalls — how to read and fix them
- Symmetry that kills weight: identical exposure lengths on core and parts often flatten perceived transfer. Read as two distinct events instead: mass anchor then secondary trail.
- Simultaneous release of all parts: if everything starts moving together, weight disappears — stagger the first frames of secondaries.
- Overly regular spacing: a mechanical rhythm can imply machinery rather than flesh; introduce micro-variations to suggest organic mass.
- Hiding intent in extremes: very long holds without intermediary frames can read as a cut; annotate the intent (hold vs. slow settle) to keep the timing team aligned.
- Ignoring scale and shot context: what reads heavy in a close-up may feel light in a wide shot; always frame timing decisions against shot scale and intended rhythm.
Quick reference legend
Closing note & further reading
Timing charts are an argument about rhythm and force. Use them to make visible choices, keep the chart concise, and prioritize the core mass anchor. Test interpretations against a viewer’s eye: does the chart read the intended impulse before you commit redrawing time?
Suggested explorations (non-prescriptive): principles of squash and stretch, exposure notation inside classic animation texts, study of photographic motion blur as reference for perceived inertia.