Abstract

The shift from traditional hand-drawn methods to digital tools transformed 2D animation. In earlier decades animators drew each frame on paper or celluloid; now software allows drawing directly on screen, manipulating frames flexibly, and using features such as “tweening” to fill in motion automatically. For example, vector-based tools like Adobe Animate let artists scale drawings without loss of quality. Digital tools also introduce terms like “onion-skinning” (viewing preceding frames faintly) and “rigging” (setting up movable parts) that were less common in purely analog workflows. This change matters for high school students thinking about university animation programs: you will encounter both the old and new techniques, and knowing digital workflows gives an advantage. This article explains how digital tools changed 2D animation, introduces key concepts such as frame-by-frame, vector vs raster, onion-skinning, tweening, and rigging, and provides concrete facts on how the workflow has evolved.

Keywords: 2D animation, digital tools, tweening, onion-skinning, vector animation

2D animation began with hand-drawn frames, each drawn on paper or transparent cells. Animators drew character poses, backgrounds, and then photographed each frame in sequence. The manual process of drawing and inking by hand made production slow and labor intensive. The emergence of digital tools changed nearly every stage of that process.

One major change is the shift from physical drawings to digital drawings. Digital animation software allowed animators to draw directly on screen using a tablet or stylus. For example, vector-based programs such as Adobe Animate allow an animator to scale drawings without loss of quality. Some software also combine raster (pixel-based) and vector (line-based) drawing. (levitatemedia.com)

The second change is in-betweening or “tweening”. Traditional animators manually drew each frame between two key poses. Digital tools often allow automatic or semi-automatic tweening—where the software calculates intermediate frames from keyframes. This speeds up production. According to Levitate Media, digital 2D animation “allows animators to speed up the animation process by conducting many tasks in bulk rather than individually.” (levitatemedia.com)

Third, onion-skinning became easier with software. Onion-skinning is the technique of viewing faint versions of previous and succeeding frames while drawing the current frame, so that movement remains consistent. In digital tools this happens automatically. This helps maintain motion flow. (Wikipedia)

Fourth, rigging and reusable symbols became common in digital workflows. In a digital 2D software you can separate character limbs into parts, rig them (set joints), and reuse them across frames. While not exclusive to digital tools, this workflow became much more efficient with software. For example, free software like Pencil2D supports frame-by-frame but also digital editing of frames. (Wikipedia)

Fifth, file management and effects improved. With traditional cel animation you had boxes of drawings, inked cells, and photo-frames. Digital workflows allow layers, undo/redo, colour fills, transparency, and effects with fewer physical materials. According to Educational Voice digital tools like “Adobe Animate or Clip Studio Paint offer intuitive interfaces suitable for students and educators.” (Educational Voice)

These tools changed the learning curve and access to animation. High school students now can download or trial software and experiment with 2D animation without large studios or cells. As the Mentornest blog states, 2D animation became “relatively accessible” with digital advances. (Mentor Nest)

For university programs in animation, you will study both classical workflows (keyframes, in-betweens, frame rate) and digital workflows (tweening, rigging, layer management). Knowing both gives you a richer skillset. In practical terms: you might start by drawing on paper to understand timing and spacing, then move to software to apply the same principles faster and with more flexibility.

Digital tools changed 2D animation by speeding up production, increasing flexibility, lowering barriers for learners and independent animators, and integrating effects and rigs. The core notions of motion still rely on frame sequences and timing, but the tools have shifted. If you are exploring animation at university, practising on both paper and software will prepare you for current workflows and show your ability to adapt.