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Animation Principles Refresher

Community
dylantarre
Animation Principles - Refresher

Use when an experienced animator needs a quick reminder of the 12 principles without basic explanations

Overview

Publisherdylantarre
Repositoryanimation-principles
Skill nameAnimation Principles - Refresher
Stars
84
Forks
12
Bundled files
Instructions only
LicenseMIT
Links
Skill sourceRepository
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • Self-contained

    Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.

  • Open source

    Published by dylantarre on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Animation Principles Refresher AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles.git /tmp/animation-principles
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/animation-principles/skills/04-by-skill-level/refresher .claude/skills/dylantarre-animation-principles-refresher
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Animation Principles Refresher in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Animation Principles Refresher on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Animation Principles Refresher is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Quick Principles Refresher

You know these. Here's the checklist.

The 12

  1. Squash/Stretch - Volume constant, shape varies. Check your impacts and fast motion.

  2. Anticipation - Is the audience prepared? Opposite direction, proportional to action.

  3. Staging - Silhouette test. One idea. Where's the eye going?

  4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose - Right method for this shot? Maybe hybrid.

  5. Follow Through / Overlap - Does everything stop at once? (It shouldn't.) Hierarchy: root leads, tips lag.

  6. Slow In / Out - Checked your spacing charts? Bunched at ends, spread in middle.

  7. Arcs - Track the paths. Everything curves unless intentionally broken.

  8. Secondary Action - Supporting, not competing. Add after primary works.

  9. Timing - Frame count matches intent? Weight, mood, pacing all live here.

  10. Exaggeration - Did you push it enough? (Probably not.) Find real, then go 20% past.

  11. Solid Drawing - Does it have weight? Volume consistent through motion?

  12. Appeal - Would you watch this? Clear shapes, readable pose, distinctive design?

Quick Diagnosis

Floaty? Check timing and slow in/out. Probably too even.

Stiff? Add overlap. Offset timing. Break symmetry.

Confusing? Staging issue. Simplify. One idea per shot.

Mechanical? Arcs are probably too straight. Add anticipation variety.

Dead? Secondary action missing. Overlap insufficient.

Boring? Push exaggeration. Check appeal. Vary timing.

Shot Checklist

Before calling it done:

  • Silhouette reads
  • Arcs tracked
  • Spacing varied (slow in/out)
  • Overlap on all appendages
  • Secondary action supports (doesn't compete)
  • Exaggeration appropriate to style
  • Timing matches weight and mood
  • Anticipation proportional
  • Volume consistent
  • Appeal present

Principle Priority by Shot Type

Action: Timing > Arcs > Anticipation > Squash/Stretch Dialogue: Staging > Secondary > Timing > Appeal Comedy: Timing > Exaggeration > Anticipation > Staging Subtle acting: Secondary > Overlap > Timing > Staging

Trust your instincts. You've done this. This is just calibration.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Animation Principles Refresher AI skill do?

Use when an experienced animator needs a quick reminder of the 12 principles without basic explanations

Why use Animation Principles Refresher on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Animation Principles Refresher is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Animation Principles Refresher in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/main/skills/04-by-skill-level/refresher. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Animation Principles Refresher?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Animation Principles Refresher?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Animation Principles Refresher with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Animation Principles Refresher AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by dylantarre under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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