Certified Animation Professional (CAP) Practice Test

What does the term 'Tweening' refer to in animation?

1. Creating final frames

2. Making the animation loop

3. Generating intermediate frames

4. Applying effects to images

The correct answer is: Generating intermediate frames

The term 'Tweening' refers specifically to the process of generating intermediate frames between two keyframes in animation. This technique allows animators to create smooth transitions and motion without manually drawing every single frame. By calculating the changes necessary to move from one keyframe to the next, tweening automates part of the animation process, making it more efficient and fluid. Keyframes represent significant points in the animation, while the frames generated through tweening fill in the gaps, creating the illusion of continuous motion. This is particularly beneficial in various animation styles, including 2D and 3D animations, where maintaining fluidity and consistency in movement is crucial. Other processes in animation, such as creating final frames or applying effects, are distinct from tweening as they do not focus specifically on the generation of intermediate frames. Making an animation loop can involve repeated sequences but does not necessarily relate to the concept of generating in-between frames. Each of these concepts plays an important role in animation, but tweening specifically addresses the creation of smooth transitions between keyframes.