What is animation onion skinning?

Animation onion skinning is a technique used in 2D animation to help animators visualize and plan out the movements of characters or objects. It involves overlaying multiple frames of an animation on top of each other with varying levels of transparency, much like the layers of an onion.

By using onion skinning, animators can see previous and upcoming frames as they draw, giving them a better understanding of the movement and continuity of their animation. This technique helps in creating smooth and fluid animations, as well as maintaining consistency within the movement of characters or objects.

Onion skinning is available in most animation software programs, including Adobe Flash, Toon Boom, and Anime Studio. Many programs also offer customizable options for onion skinning, such as adjusting the number of frames displayed, opacity levels, and frame colors.