11 Blender Animation Tips to Level Up Your Skills

As a 3D artist, you know that Blender animation can be a complex and challenging process.

However, there are many ways to improve your efficiency and workflow, which can lead to better results. In this article, we will share ten tips and techniques that will help you improve your Blender animation skills.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced animator, we hope you will find these tips helpful. So let’s get started!

Tip 1: Elevate Your Blender Animations with Target Cameras

Target Cameras are a powerful tool for creating smooth, cinematic shots in Blender.

To create a Target Camera:

add a new camera and an empty object to your scene.
Then, in the Object Constraints tab for the camera, select the “Track To” constraint
Use the eyedropper tool to select the empty object as the target.

Once you have created a Target Camera, you can use it to achieve a variety of camera tricks, such as dramatic camera rolls and the dolly zoom.

Dramatic Camera Rolls: Add a camera roll by adding an empty object and parenting it to the camera. Then, rotate the empty object in the Z-axis.
The Dolly Zoom: Achieve the dolly zoom effect by placing an empty object around your target and moving the camera closer to or further away from it while zooming in or out.
Camera Follows the Target: Make the camera follow a moving target by parenting an empty object to the target and moving the camera along with it.

To learn more about using the target camera, you can watch this tutorial by chocofur.

By learning the art of camera work, utilizing Target Cameras, you can drastically improve your Blender animations.

Tip 2: Utilize the NLA Editor for Flexible Animation Sequencing

When working on a complex animation project with multiple shots, it’s essential to maintain organization and control over the timing of each scene. Blender offers a powerful tool to streamline this process – the Non-Linear Animation (NLA) Editor. The NLA Editor allows you to string together actions and exert precise control over how each shot flows, making it an indispensable asset in your Blender animation workflow.

The most important concept to understand in the NLA editor is the idea of a strip. A strip is a copy of an action that is placed on the animation timeline. Strips can be stacked on top of each other, and they can be blended together to create complex animations.

The NLA editor window is divided into three main sections:

The header: This section contains the menus and tools for working with the NLA editor.
The timeline: This section shows the animation timeline, with the different actions and strips laid out in sequence.
The strip editor: This section allows you to edit the properties of the different strips, such as their length, speed, and blend mode.

Uses of NLA Editor in Blender

Here’s how you can make the most of the NLA Editor:

Use NLA tracks to organize your animations. The NLA Editor allows you to create tracks for different types of animation, such as actions, keyframes, and constraints. This can help you keep your animations organized and make it easier to find the ones you need.
Use NLA strips to control the timing and playback of your animations. NLA strips are like keyframes, but they can be used to control the timing and playback of multiple animations at once. This can be helpful for creating complex animations with multiple characters or objects.
Use NLA operators to modify your animations. The NLA Editor also includes a variety of operators that can be used to modify your animations, such as blending, mirroring, and reversing. This can help you create more creative and dynamic animations.
Use the NLA Editor to preview your animations. The NLA Editor has a built-in previewer that allows you to see your animations in real time. This can be helpful for debugging your animations and making sure they look the way you want them to.

The NLA Editor is a powerful tool that can help you create flexible animation sequences. By learning how to use the NLA Editor, you can create more complex and sophisticated animations.

Tip 3: Optimizing Animation Workflow with Action-Based Sequences

Action-based animation is a technique that breaks down an animation into discrete actions.

Each action represents a specific movement, pose, or action that a character or object performs within the animation sequence.

To create an action-based sequence, you first need to create an action. An action is a record of the movements of an object over time. You can create an action by animating a pose or movement, or by manually adding keyframes.

Once you have created an action, you can save it as a sequence. A sequence is a collection of actions that are played back in sequence. You can create a sequence by dragging and dropping actions into the NLA editor.

Action-based sequences can be used to create a variety of animations. For example, you could create a sequence for walking, a sequence for running, and a sequence for jumping. You could then combine these sequences to create more complex animations, such as a character running and jumping.

To learn more about how to use actions in Blender, you can watch this tutorial by AnxiousCynic

Benefits of using actions include:

Actions make your animation modular, which means that you can work on and refine individual actions without affecting the entire animation.
Actions help you keep your animation organized.
You can reuse actions across different parts of your animation or even in other projects.
Working with actions allows you to focus on one aspect of the animation at a time.
Actions give you the flexibility to experiment with different movements and timings without affecting the entire animation.

Example: A walk cycle animation can be created as an action that defines the character’s walking movement. This action can include keyframes for the legs, arms, and body.

Tip 4: Quickly switch between modes in Blender

Switching between Object Mode and Pose Mode is a common task in Blender animation. However, it can be time-consuming to navigate through the menus every time you need to switch modes.

Here’s a keyboard shortcut that can help you switch between modes quickly and easily:

CTRL + TAB

You can also use this CTRL + TAB in Graph editor, to switch between Graph Editor and Dope sheet. This can be helpful if you want to see your animation in a different way or if you want to make changes to the animation curve.

This shortcut can be especially helpful if you’re working on a complex animation with multiple characters or objects. By quickly switching between modes, you can make adjustments to your Blender animation without having to navigate through menus.

Tip 5: Use the 3D cursor for precise object placement

The 3D cursor is a versatile tool that can be used to position objects precisely in Blender. It is essentially a point in space that you can use to position objects, regardless of their rotation or scale.

To use the 3D cursor for precise object placement, you can follow these steps:

Select the object where you want to place another object precisely.
Use the Shift + S keyboard shortcut and select the “Cursor to Selected” option. This will set the 3D cursor to the location of the selected object.
Add a new object to the scene. The new object will be placed at the location of the 3D cursor.

Also, You can align objects using 3d cursor in Blender.

For example, if you want to align a ball to the hand of a character, you can first set the 3D cursor to the location of the hand. Then, you can add the ball to the scene and it will be aligned to the hand automatically.

Another method to place the 3D cursor in a location is by using the Shift + Right Click shortcut. This will place the 3D cursor at the point where you click, regardless of the rotation or scale of the object you are currently editing.

Additionally, you can use the Cursor Tool to place the 3D cursor. To do this, click on the Cursor Tool icon in the toolbar. Then, click on the location where you want to place the 3D cursor.

Tip 6: Use individual origins for smooth rotation

Smooth and precise rotations are essential for creating realistic and engaging animations. However, it can be difficult to achieve this in Blender if you don’t know how to use the “Individual Origins” option.

The “Individual Origins” option allows you to rotate multiple objects simultaneously while maintaining the integrity of their individual origins. This means that each object will rotate around its own origin point, regardless of the other objects that are selected.

To use the “Individual Origins” option, follow these steps:

Select the objects that you want to rotate.
In the 3D View, go to the Transform panel and click on the Pivot Point dropdown menu.
Select Individual Origins.

Now, when you rotate the selected objects, they will each rotate around their own origin point. This will give you more control over the rotation and make it easier to create smooth and precise animations.

Tip 7: The 2D Cursor for Blender Animation

The 2D cursor in Blender’s Graph Editor is a blue horizontal line that can be used as a reference for moving and scaling keyframe handles. It is also used as a pivot point for scaling, rotating, and snapping keyframes in the Graph Editor.

To enable or disable the 2D cursor, you can go to the View Menu and select Show Cursor. You can also disable or enable it in the N panel.

To move the 2D cursor, you can use the following methods:

Place the cursor by using Shift–Right-mouse Button. This will place the cursor at the mouse cursor’s position.
Drag the frame (X) cursor in the top bar. This is the easiest way to move the 2D cursor.
Set the cursor in the sidebar in the cursor tab. This will open the cursor tab in the sidebar, where you can manually set the cursor’s position.

Once you have moved the 2D cursor, you can use it as a reference for moving and scaling keyframe handles curves.

You can also use the 2D cursor as a pivot point for scaling, and rotating keyframes. To do this, first select the keyframes you want to scale or rotate. Then, click on the pivot option located at the top bar. In the Pivot Point option and click on the 2D cursor. The keyframes will now be scaled, or rotated around the 2D cursor’s position.

The 2D cursor is a powerful tool that can be used to improve your workflow in the Graph Editor. By learning how to use it, you can make more precise edits to your keyframes.

Tip 8: Master the Breakdowner Tool

The Breakdowner is a powerful tool in Blender that can help you create smooth and precise transitions between keyframes. It is a bit like a magic wand for animators, and it can be used to create a variety of effects, from subtle facial expressions to dynamic body movements.

Here are the steps on how to use the Breakdowner:

Select the elements you want to break down. This could be the entire character, a specific body part, or even just one aspect of the animation, like translation or rotation.
Press the Shift + E hotkey to activate the Breakdowner.
Click and drag in the viewport to blend between the two poses. The breakdown value, which is displayed at the top left corner of the viewport, will dynamically update as you adjust. This allows you to fine-tune the blending with precision.

The Breakdowner also allows you to:

Isolate transforms: This means that you can modify specific aspects of the animation, like translation or rotation, without affecting everything else. To do this, press the corresponding hotkey while the Breakdowner is active. For example, press G to isolate translation, R to isolate rotation, and S to isolate scale.
Focus on an axis: You can also focus on a specific axis when using the Breakdowner. To do this, type the axis name after the hotkey. For example, typing R Y will focus on the Y-axis of the rotations.
Enter quick values: If you have a good idea of the value you need, you can simply type it in and hit Enter. For example, entering 63 will take you to 63% of the desired pose.

The Breakdowner is a powerful tool that can help you create smooth and precise Blender animations. It is a must-have for any Blender animator.

Tip 9: Optimize your scene with Simplify

As your animation project becomes more complex, it can put a strain on your computer’s resources. This can lead to slow playback and lag, which can make it difficult to work on your animation.

The “Simplify” feature in Blender can help you to optimize your scene and improve performance. This feature allows you to reduce the number of polygons in your objects, which can make them easier to render and manipulate.

To use the “Simplify” feature, follow these steps:

Go to the Render properties panel.
Click on the Simplify tab.
Adjust the Maximum Subdivision Levels setting.

The higher the value of the Maximum Subdivision Levels setting, the more polygons will be used to render your objects. However, a higher value will also require more processing power.

You can experiment with different values to find the setting that provides the best balance between performance and quality.

Tip 10: Save Your Workspace Permanently

When you’re working on a Blender animation project, it’s important to have a workspace that’s organized and customized to your needs. This can help you stay productive and creative.

But what happens when you open someone else’s project? Their workspace settings may be different from yours, which can be upsetting.

To avoid this, you can save your workspace permanently. This means that it will always be the same, no matter what project you’re working on.

To save your workspace permanently, follow these steps:

Open a blank Blender file.
Organize and customize your workspace to your liking.
Go to File > Defaults > Save Startup File.
Click Yes to confirm.

Now, your workspace will be saved permanently. You can open any Blender file and your workspace settings will be the same.

This is a great way to ensure that you have a consistent and efficient animation experience.

Tip 11: Optimize Workflow of Your Blender Animation

As a 3D artist, you know that efficiency is key. Blender offers a variety of features and practices that can help you optimize your workflow and workspace for speed.

Here are a few tips:

Create custom workspaces: Customize your workspace for different stages of your animation project. This will help you keep the tools you need readily available and avoid clutter.
Use keyboard shortcuts: Learn the essential keyboard shortcuts in Blender. This will save you time and effort when navigating the interface and performing tasks.
Save custom layouts: Once you have configured your ideal workspace setup, save it as a custom layout. This way, you can quickly switch between different layouts depending on your current task.
Use Auto Keyframing: Enable Auto Keyframing when needed to automatically insert keyframes as you make changes. This can save you time in the animation process.
Organize your assets: Use Blender’s Asset Browser to organize your 3D assets efficiently. This will help you avoid time-consuming searches and keep your workspace clean and organized.
Use GPU rendering: If you have a capable GPU, use it for GPU rendering. This will significantly reduce the time it takes to render your animations.
Optimize your render settings: Experiment with different render settings to find the optimal configuration for your project. This will help you strike the right balance between quality and speed.

By following these tips, you can optimize your workflow and workspace in Blender and save time and effort on your animation projects.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored ten useful tips for Blender animation. These tips are designed to create better animations in Blender fast.

Here are a few key takeaways from the article:

Use Target Cameras to create smooth, cinematic shots in Blender.
Optimize your workspace and use Blender’s Breakdowner tool to create dynamic pose transitions.
Action-based sequences are a way of organizing animation work so that it is easier to manage and optimize.
Perfect timing, spacing, and arcs with Blender’s Graph Editor and Motion Path.
Optimize for Performance: The “Simplify” option is your ally in balancing scene complexity and rendering speed.

We hope that these tips have inspired you to experiment with Blender animation and create your own masterpieces.

Thank you for reading, and happy animating!