Difference between revisions of "Onionskin - Dragonframe"

Latest revision as of 16:37, 11 March 2026

Intro

Onion skinning is a technique, accessible in the Dragonframe software, that enables animators to simultaneously see several of their most recent frames in Live View. Onion skinning is essential to accurately have fluid animation as it allows you to see your previous frames so that you can make a continuous movement when making new ones.

Settings

(Fig. 1.2)

(Fig. 1.4)

(Fig. 1.3)

Moving the red dot to the right, lowers the opacity on the Live-View (Fig. 1.2).The previous frame will appear when the red dot is moved to the far end (Fig. 1.3).

(Fig. 1.5)

Moving the red dot to the left, transitions the live view to the selected frame (Fig. 1.4). This happens if the first frame is selected on the X-Sheet (Fig. 1.5).

Onion Skin Modes

At the bottom right of the Onion Skin Opacity Slider, there is an icon depicted in Figure 1.3 that, when clicked, opens up the Onion Skin Modes (Figure 1.4).

Onion Skin Modes:

• Normal - The standard onion skinning mode.
• Frame Echo - Frame Echo allows you to see up to six of your most recent frames that you took through the Live-View by sliding the small grey circle (see Fig. 1.4) to the far right (see Fig. 1.5 & 1.6)
• Darks - By activating Darks, the darker colors become more vibrant.
• Lights - By activating Lights, the light colors become more vibrant.
• Difference - If the frames are the same, the images become black.

Onion Skin Examples

2D Lab

2D Animation (Hand-Drawn)

For 2D Animation, we will use a hand drawn circle to demonstrate how Onion skinning works. Be aware that if the lines are darker, then it's on the Live View when the onion skin is activated.

(Fig. 2.0)

(A GIF example of 2D Animation without onion skinning.)

(Fig. 2.1)

(A GIF example of onion skinning with 2D Animation.)

Realigning The Stand

Another useful thing to note when using onion skinning is the ability to align your artwork in position within the frame when re-opening your Dragonframe folder. This is helpful to use if the Main Animation Desk or the height adjustment (that holds the camera) has been bumped or altered.

1. To re-open your Dragonframe folder, open the Dragonframe software.
2. Select Open Scene.
3. Select your Dragonframe folder saved on the Desktop.
4. Select Open Scene.
5. Once Dragonframe is open, select your last frame and adjust the Onion Skin Opacity Slider.
6. With the Onion Skin Opacity Slider, moved the red dot midway to the right.
7. Place your animation drawing that you used for the frame and align your artwork in Live-View.
8. Adjust the Main Animation desk if needed.

3D Lab

3D Animation

By using this puppet, we will only be moving its arms as an example for using Onion skinning for 3D Animation.

(Fig. 3.0)

(A GIF example of 3D Animation without onion skinning.)

(Fig. 3.1)

(A GIF example of onion skinning with 3D Animation.)

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