Why does over-polishing early animation passes create problems later?

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Why does over-polishing early animation passes create problems later?

Asked on Dec 08, 2025

Answer

Over-polishing early animation passes can lead to problems because it restricts flexibility and makes it harder to implement changes that may be necessary for storytelling or character consistency. It's important to focus on blocking key poses and timing before refining details to maintain clarity and adaptability.

Example Concept: Over-polishing refers to adding excessive detail and refinement too early in the animation process, which can lock in decisions prematurely. This can hinder the ability to make necessary adjustments to timing, poses, or overall motion flow, ultimately impacting the animation's effectiveness and narrative coherence.

Additional Comment:

Start with rough blocking to establish key poses and timing.
Refine in stages, focusing on major movements before details.
Maintain flexibility to adapt to feedback and narrative changes.
Use polishing passes to enhance motion clarity and believability.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

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