Stretch & Squash Techniques for Beginners Squash and stretch is the most important of the 12 basic principles of animation. It gives static objects a sense of weight, flexibility, and life. By mastering this core technique, you can transform rigid, robotic movements into fluid and organic animations.
Here is everything a beginner needs to know to start using squash and stretch effectively. What is Squash and Stretch?
Squash and stretch is the intentional distorting of an object’s shape to illustrate its movement, speed, and momentum.
Squash: The flattening of an object when it hits a surface or absorbs an impact.
Stretch: The elongating of an object when it moves rapidly or is pulled by gravity.
This technique applies to everything from simple bouncing balls to complex facial expressions and character anatomy. Without it, animations look stiff and unnatural. The Golden Rule: Maintain Volume
The most critical rule of squash and stretch is that the total volume of the object must remain constant. If you change an object’s shape, you must adjust its dimensions proportionally.
If you stretch an object vertically (making it taller), you must compress it horizontally (making it thinner).
If you squash an object vertically (making it shorter), you must expand it horizontally (making it wider).
If an object gets taller and wider at the same time, it will look like it is growing, which breaks the illusion of reality. Step-by-Step: The Classic Bouncing Ball
The best way to practice this technique is by animating a classic bouncing ball. This exercise perfectly demonstrates how weight and speed dictate the shape of an object. 1. The Apex (Normal Shape)
At the very top of the bounce, the ball momentarily pauses. Because there is no speed or impact acting upon it, the ball should be a perfect, undistorted circle. 2. The Fall (The Stretch)
As gravity pulls the ball downward, it accelerates. The faster the ball moves, the more you should stretch it along its path of motion. Keep the stretch subtle at first, increasing the elongation right before impact. 3. The Impact (The Squash)
When the ball hits the ground, the downward momentum forces it to flatten. The squash should happen exactly at the point of impact. This visual cue tells the audience how soft or hard the ball is. 4. The Rebound (The Return)
As the ball launches back up, it instantly stretches again due to the sudden burst of upward speed. As it reaches the top of its new arc, it gradually returns to its original circular shape. Tips for Beginners
Start Subtle: It is easy to overdo this effect. Start with small distortions. If the animation looks too distorted or “wobbly,” tone down the intensity of the stretch and squash.
Consider Material Weight: A bowling ball will barely squash or stretch because it is heavy and rigid. A water balloon or a rubber ball will squash and stretch dramatically. Always match the distortion to the material of the object.
Align to the Path of Motion: When stretching an object, always elongate it along the exact angle or curve it is traveling. If a ball is moving diagonally but stretches straight up and down, the motion will look broken. Summary Checklist Keep the overall volume identical. Stretch during high-speed movement. Squash during sudden impacts or compression. Match the distortion to the object’s material.
By practicing these fundamentals on simple shapes, you will build the muscle memory needed to apply squash and stretch to complex characters, clothing, and visual effects.
If you want to take your animation practice further, I can help you plan your next steps. Tell me:
What software or medium are you using? (2D digital, 3D, flipbook, stop-motion?) What character or object do you want to animate next?
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