Timing for Animation

Timing for Animation is a digital PDF guide to the principles and practice of timing in animation. This second edition is by Harold Whitaker and John Halas, updated by Tom Sito.

The book is available as an instant download for readers studying or practicing traditional, 2D digital, and 3D digital animation.

It examines how timing gives meaning to movement, conveys weight and scale, shapes character performance, and strengthens story points.

Book Overview

Timing for Animation presents a structured study of animation timing, from general principles and storyboards to movement, effects, speech synchronization, camera work, and editing.

The book covers timing for television series, full animation, feature films, overseas productions, digital production, actor-based programs, games, and internet downloads. Its chapters also examine the timing of inanimate objects, characters, animals, natural phenomena, and digital effects.

Harold Whitaker and John Halas are credited as the authors. Tom Sito updated this second edition, published by Elsevier Ltd. under the Focal Press imprint.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• General principles of timing, storyboards, bar sheets, and exposure charts
• Spacing, slow and fast actions, holds, anticipation, follow-through, and overlapping action
• Weight, force, friction, air resistance, wind, movement, and the properties of matter
• Character reactions, acting, mood, walk cycles, animal movement, and bird flight
• Effects animation, including flames, smoke, water, rain, snow, explosions, and digital effects
• Speech synchronization, lip-sync, music, traditional and 3D camera movements
• Editing for feature films, television episodes, children’s programming, internet downloads, and games

Why This Book Matters

The book focuses on timing as a central part of animation. Its foreword explains that timing controls the duration of actions and affects how audiences interpret movement.

Its scope connects hand-drawn animation principles with computer animation and includes production subjects ranging from storyboarding and exposure charts to digital effects and editing.

The second edition preserves the work’s focus on timing while addressing animation practices across traditional and digital formats.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so no physical copy will be shipped. Access is available after purchase.

The PDF works with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and compatible reading apps.

FAQ

When can I access the book?
Access is available after purchase through the instant digital download.

Will I receive a physical copy?
No. This product is a digital PDF download, with no physical shipping.

Which devices can open the file?
The PDF can be read with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and reading apps.

Download Timing for Animation to study its evidence-based principles of timing across traditional and digital animation formats.

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