1. Squash and Stretch - Defining the mass of an object and its flexibility through motion and distortion of its shape.
Good Example:
In Pixar's first animated short "Luxo Jr" The smaller lamp bounces on a ball, the ball distorting in response to the weight placed upon it.
Bad Example:
In the online flash-based animation "Ctrl+Alt+Del The Animated Series" characters faces have no squash and stretch, expressions are merely pasted over the head. The lack of squash and stretch means that expressions look flat and stilted.
2. Timing and Motion - Spacing actions to define the weight and motion of an object/character in animation. Can also be used to show aspects of a characters personality.
Good Example:
In Pixar's "Luxo Jr" the smaller desk lamp hops around a lot. The motion showing a lot of hyperactivity you would see in young children. The motion also gives it a sense of weight
Bad Example:
In the Ctrl Alt Del Animated series on the web, motion is choppy and gives no real sense of mass.
3. Anticipation - The preperation for an action
Good Example:
In "Luxo Jr" the smaller lamp is about to jump on the ball. The way it contracts its "body" like a spring before jumping is anticipatory of the jump that it's about to do.
Bad Example:
In CAD: The animated series this character runs towards a vehicle and just immediately jumps inside without any preperation. It looks off and makes the world feel as though it has a lack of physics.
