How does spacing influence the perception of acceleration and deceleration?

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How does spacing influence the perception of acceleration and deceleration?

Asked on Nov 09, 2025

Answer

Spacing is crucial in animation for conveying acceleration and deceleration, as it determines how an object's movement is perceived over time. By adjusting the distance between frames, animators can create the illusion of speed changes, making motion feel more dynamic and realistic.

Example Concept: In animation, spacing refers to the distance an object travels between frames. To show acceleration, increase the spacing progressively, making the object cover more distance over time. Conversely, to depict deceleration, decrease the spacing, causing the object to travel less distance as it slows down. This manipulation of spacing helps simulate the natural physics of motion, enhancing the believability of animated sequences.

Additional Comment:

Acceleration can be emphasized by starting with close spacing and gradually increasing it.
Deceleration is achieved by starting with wide spacing and gradually decreasing it.
Consistent spacing results in constant speed, while varied spacing creates dynamic motion.
Use timing charts to plan and visualize spacing changes effectively.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

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