Tutorial
iOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation Desk
iOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation Desk
Tutorial
iOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation DeskiOS/Android
Make Animations and Cartoons with Animation DeskHow to Manage Colors in Animation DeskHow to Control Speed and Motions with FramesHow to Create Animation Faster with the Selection ToolsHow to Draw Animation on a Live-action VideoHow to Animate with LayersWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D AnimationHow to Export Your Animation as Storyboard, Video, GIF and PSDWindows
Animation Desk app for Windows 10: Interface NavigationHow to Control Speed of Your Animation- FPS and Frame RepetitionHow to Design Color Palettes in the AppHow to Create Animations Efficiently with the Selection ToolsHow to Import Video and Image Using LayersHow To Track Motion With Onion Skin in 2D AnimationHow to Use RulersHow to Export Animation and StoryboardHow to Lip Sync or Add Music to Your Animation VideoShould I Get a Surface Dial? How to Use Surface Dial in Animation DeskWhat is Onion Skin and How to Use it in 2D Animation
What is Onion Skin in Animation
Onion skinning is a 2D animation technique. In the making of traditional animations, artists draw on very thin papers and place the papers on a light source. By doing so, an artist can see through the frames, and compare the keyframe and the inbetweens. On this page, we will guide you through the onion skin and lightbox feature in Animation Desk.
Onion Skin in Animation Desk
Enable the Onion Skin
Expand the Setting menu and switch to the last tab. You can enable the onion skin mode by tapping the toggle button.
Turn the Onion Skin on and off while Drawing
There is a Light Bulb button in the toolbar hanging on the left. When the lightbulb is orange, it means the onion skin effect is visible. If the lightbulb is gray, it means the lightbox is currently turned off, and you can’t see the onion skin effect.
Color-coded Onion Skin
Color-coded onion distinguishes the previous frame and the next frame with colors. The green lines mean the drawing in the previous frame. The red line represents the drawing in the next frame.
Let's Try it Out: Draw with Onion Skin
Design an animation sequence, try to draw the keyframes first. Enable the onion skin mode, and complete the rest of the animation.
