Squash and Stretch

Squash and Stretch refers to changes in the shape of an object while still retaining its volume. This principle can highlight the affects of a variety of different forces upon the object, depending on its weight, mass and flexibility. Squash and Stretch is regarded as the primary principle of animation as it encapsulates the essence of organic movement. It can also be used to emphasise and exaggerate movements in order to give them a more profound (and most often comic) meaning.

Examples of Squash and Stretch can be as simple as a bouncing ball (Fig 1.1), or as complex as facial expression (Fig 1.2)

Fig 1.1













Fig 1.2