5 Simple Steps to Animate on Procreate

Animation has become an integral part of modern storytelling, and with the rise of digital art, it has become more accessible than ever before. Procreate, a popular iPad drawing app, has emerged as a powerful tool for creating stunning animations. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of how to animate on Procreate, unlocking the potential for captivating visual storytelling.

Procreate’s animation features offer a range of options for creating dynamic and engaging animations. The Onion Skin feature allows you to preview previous and future frames, making it easy to create smooth transitions and avoid abrupt movements. The Frame Manager provides precise control over the timing and duration of each frame, enabling you to fine-tune the pacing and rhythm of your animations. Additionally, Procreate supports pressure-sensitive Apple Pencil input, which allows you to create expressive strokes and vary the thickness and opacity of your linework.

To begin animating in Procreate, you can either create a new animation canvas or import an existing drawing. Once you have your canvas set up, you can start sketching out your animation. As you draw, Procreate will automatically create new frames for each stroke. You can also manually add or remove frames using the Frame Manager. Once you have your keyframes in place, you can use the Onion Skin feature to refine the in-between frames and create a smooth animation. By experimenting with different brush settings, layers, and timing, you can create animations that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

Drawing and Animating Frame by Frame

Frame-by-frame animation is a traditional animation technique that involves drawing each frame of an animation separately. This approach gives you complete control over every aspect of the animation, allowing you to create highly detailed and expressive movements.

To create a frame-by-frame animation in Procreate, start by creating a new canvas and setting the frame rate. Then, draw the first frame of your animation. Next, create a new layer and draw the next frame on top of the first. Continue this process until you have drawn all the frames in your animation.

Once you have drawn all the frames, you need to export them as a sequence of images. You can do this by going to the Share menu and selecting Export. In the Export Options dialog box, select the Frame Sequence option and choose the desired file format. Click Export to save the frames as a sequence of images.

Tips for Frame-by-Frame Animation

Here are some tips for creating successful frame-by-frame animations:

Start with a storyboard to plan out your animation. This will help you visualize the flow of the animation and ensure that all the necessary frames are drawn.
Use onion skinning to see the previous and next frames while drawing. This will help you to keep the animation consistent and smooth.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different drawing styles. Frame-by-frame animation gives you the freedom to create any type of animation, so let your imagination run wild.

Pros	Cons
Control over every aspect of the animation	Time-consuming and labor-intensive
Detailed and expressive movements	Requires a high level of skill
Suitable for animations that require complex movements	Not ideal for animations that require a large number of frames

Integrating Onion Skinning for Smooth Transitions

Onion skinning is an invaluable tool for animators, allowing for seamless transitions between frames. It creates a series of translucent overlays, displaying previous and subsequent frames, providing a clear visualization of the animation’s progress.

Enable and Customize Onion Skinning

To enable onion skinning, navigate to the “Animation Assist” menu and select “Onion Skin”. Customize the settings by adjusting the “Opacity” and “Number of Frames” to desired levels.

Preview Transitions

With onion skinning activated, you can observe the transition between frames. The translucent overlays provide a guide for creating smooth and visually appealing animations.

Timing and Spacing

Adjusting the spacing and timing of frames is crucial for creating fluid animation. The “Onion Skin Interval” setting allows you to control the distance between each overlay, providing greater detail for more complex animations.

Managing Overlays

To maintain a clear workspace, you can hide or remove selected overlays by tapping the “Edit Overlays” button. This allows you to focus on specific frames while adjusting the animation.

Adding Depth and Dimension with Layer Blending

Layer blending is a crucial technique in animation to create depth and dimension. By understanding how layers interact, you can create realistic effects and add complexity to your animations.

Layer Types

Procreate offers different layer types, each with its unique blending properties:

Layer Type	Description
Standard Layer	The default layer that supports all blending modes.
Multiply Layer	Darkens the underlying layers, creating shadows.
Screen Layer	Lightens the underlying layers, creating highlights.
Alpha Lock Layer	Preserves the transparency of the underlying layers.

Blending Modes

Blending modes determine how layers interact with each other. Procreate provides a wide range of blending modes to customize the effects:

Normal: No blending occurs; layers are stacked on top of each other.
Multiply: Darkens the underlying layers.
Screen: Lightens the underlying layers.
Overlay: Blends the colors together, creating a subtle effect.
Soft Light: Creates a more intense overlay effect, with brighter highlights and darker shadows.
Hard Light: Similar to Soft Light, but with a more pronounced effect.

Layer Masks

Layer masks allow you to control the visibility of portions of a layer. By using black or white color on a mask, you can create complex shapes and isolate specific parts of the animation for editing. Layer masks are essential for creating realistic shadows, highlights, and effects.

Troubleshooting Common Animation Issues

Frames Out of Order

Ensure your frames are organized chronologically in the layers panel. Drag and drop frames to rearrange their order.

Animation Not Playing

Check the following:

Animation Assist is enabled (tap Actions > Animation Assist)
The current frame is within the animation timeline
Your device has sufficient storage space

Canvas Lag or Freezing

Try the following:

Check your device’s memory and free up space if necessary
Reduce the number of layers and frames in your animation
Disable any unnecessary Procreate features (such as Symmetry or QuickShape)

Brush Strokes Not Animating

Ensure that:

The brush you are using is compatible with animation
The strokes were created after Animation Assist was enabled
The strokes are fully visible and not hidden behind other layers

Exporting Issues

Consider the following:

Choose an appropriate export format (e.g., GIF, MP4)
Adjust the frame rate and compression settings
Ensure your device is connected to a stable internet connection

Audio/Video Sync Issues

Synchronize audio and video by:

Using a separate video editing app
Manually aligning the audio and video tracks in Procreate (using the timeline)

Lag or Stuttering in Animation Playback

Modify Frame Rate and Resolution:

Frame Rate	Resolution
Higher frame rates (e.g., 60fps)	Lower resolution (e.g., 1080p)
Lower frame rates (e.g., 15fps)	Higher resolution (e.g., 4K)

Optimize Canvas Size and Fill:

Reduce the canvas size and avoid filling the entire canvas with content.

Disable Unnecessary Features:

Turn off any Procreate features that may be consuming resources (e.g., Layer Masks, Guides).

Export in a Compressed Format:

Export your animation in a compressed format (e.g., GIF, WebP) to reduce file size and improve playback smoothness.

Creating Depth with Layers

Procreate’s layering system allows you to create depth by stacking frames on top of each other. Experiment with transparent layers to add subtle motion and create a sense of foreground and background.

Blending and Transitions

Use blending modes to create smooth transitions between frames. Fade in and out elements or blur them to simulate movement.

Animating with the Onion Skin Feature

Turn on the onion skin feature to see previous and future frames as you animate. This helps you visualize the motion and adjust timing and spacing.

Using Custom Brushes for Special Effects

Create custom brushes that mimic motion, such as smoke, fire, or water. These brushes can add visual dynamics and enhance the storytelling.

Animating Complex Objects with Grids

Break down complex objects into smaller grid units. This allows you to animate each unit independently, creating fluid and detailed movement.

Using Gestures for Natural Movement

Take advantage of Procreate’s gesture controls to create natural-looking motion. Quick swipes and taps can give your animations a dynamic and organic feel.

Animating with Masks

Use masks to reveal and hide parts of your animation over time. This technique can be used to create effects such as fading in or uncovering characters.

Applying Depth of Field

Add a sense of perspective by blurring the background or foreground elements. This creates a subtle depth of field effect that enhances the realism of your animations.

Slow Motion and Speed Ramping

Control the speed of your animation with frame rates. Slow down crucial moments to emphasize impact or accelerate action to create a sense of urgency.

Combining Different Animation Styles

Experiment with various animation styles, such as frame-by-frame, tweening, or stop-motion. Combining different techniques can add depth and interest to your storytelling.

Additional Resources for Animation on Procreate

For additional guidance and tutorials on animation in Procreate, refer to the以下resources:

Resource	Link
Procreate Animation Tutorial	https://procreate.art/articles/animation-in-procreate/
Animating in Procreate: The Complete Guide	https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Animating-in-Procreate-The-Complete-Guide/1286870714
Procreate Animation Masterclass	https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1877-procreate-animation-masterclass

How to Animate on Procreate

Procreate is a popular drawing and painting app for the iPad. It is also possible to create animations in Procreate. If you are new to animation, Procreate is a great place to start to learn. It is easy to use and has a wide range of features that make it possible to create professional-quality animations.

To start animating in Procreate, create a new canvas. Then, tap on the Layers panel and select the ‘+’ button. This will create a new layer. On the new layer, draw the first frame of your animation. To create the next frame, tap on the ‘+’ button again. This will create a new layer. On the new layer, draw the second frame of your animation. Continue this process until you have created all of the frames for your animation.

Once you have created all of the frames for your animation, tap on the wrench icon in the toolbar. This will open the Animation Assist panel. In the Animation Assist panel, you can set the frame rate of your animation, the duration of each frame, and the number of times your animation will loop. You can also add audio to your animation by tapping on the ‘+’ button in the Audio panel.

When you are finished animating, tap on the File menu and select Export. You can export your animation as a video file or a GIF file.