Abstract

This article compares traditional animation with digital animation, focusing on the differences relevant to high-school students exploring animation programs at university. Traditional animation (also called cel or hand-drawn animation) involves drawing each frame by hand, transferring images to transparent “cels,” then photographing those images in sequence. (Wikipedia) Digital animation uses computer software to draw, colour and animate frames, often allowing reuse of assets, “tweening” of frames, and layers for compositing. (boxmedia.tv) The article explains terms such as “keyframe,” “in-between,” “peg bar,” “rigging,” and “tweening,” describes how workflows differ, and gives concrete facts about time, materials, and cost. It shows that although both techniques share the goal of creating motion from still images, the tools, process and output often differ. Understanding these distinctions helps students assess what skills they may need in an animation program and whether they prefer a hands-on, drawing-based workflow or a computer-based workflow.

Keywords: traditional animation, digital animation, hand-drawn, tweening, keyframe

Animation creates the illusion of movement by showing still images in rapid succession. The method works the same whether drawn by hand or generated by computer. The differences lie in how those images are produced, managed and assembled.

What is traditional animation?

Traditional animation (also called cel animation or hand-drawn animation) involves an animator drawing each frame by hand on paper. (Wikipedia) After the drawings are completed, they may be transferred to transparent sheets (“cels”) and painted, then photographed one by one against a background image. (Wikipedia) A key animator draws the major “keyframes”—the main poses in a scene—and in-between animators draw the frames between those to smooth motion. (Wikipedia) Traditional workflows require physical tools: paper, pencils, lightboxes, peg bars to keep the drawings aligned. (Wikipedia) Because each drawing is made manually for each frame (or at least most frames), the production time is high and the labour intensive. (boxmedia.tv)

What is digital animation?

Digital animation uses computers, drawing tablets and software instead of (or in addition to) paper. Animators draw directly on screen or scan drawings and use software to colour, composite and sequence frames. (Wikipedia) Some key differences:

  • “Tweening” (or in-betweening) can be partially automated digitally: the animator sets keyframes and the software generates intermediate frames. (Wikipedia)
  • Assets (such as character parts) can be rigged (set up with skeletons) and reused, saving time compared to redrawing for each frame. (artlist.io)
  • Correction and editing are faster: mistakes can be undone, layers can be edited without redrawing unrelated parts. (boxmedia.tv)

Digital workflows can reduce cost and time, especially for television or web animations where deadlines are tight. (prolificstudio.co)

Major differences in workflow and output

Materials and tools: Traditional animation uses physical materials; digital uses software and hardware. Traditional animators need paper, pencils, cels; digital animators need drawing tablets and software. (prayananimation.com)
Frame production time: In traditional animation each frame (or almost each frame) is drawn by hand. That means hundreds or thousands of drawings for a short scene. Digital animation allows reuse, rigging and software assistance, making it faster. (boxmedia.tv)
Visual style and texture: Traditional animation often has a handcrafted quality: slight variations, physical textures and analog artefacts. Digital animation tends toward cleaner lines, more consistent colour, easier application of special effects. (arenaparkstreet.com)
Cost and scale: Because of the manual labour involved, traditional animation often costs more in time and staff. Digital animation allows for streamlined pipelines, asset reuse and faster iteration, which can reduce cost per minute of animation. (prolificstudio.co)
Skill sets: Traditional animators often emphasise drawing skills, anatomy, understanding motion by hand. Digital animators still need those foundational skills, but also must learn software, rigging, and digital asset management. (Business of Animation)

Why this matters for high-school students exploring animation programs

If you are considering animation at university, knowing whether a program leans toward hand-drawn work or digital work can help you prepare. If you enjoy drawing by hand, understanding the traditional workflow gives you a strong foundation. If you prefer computer workflows and software tools, digital animation skills will be central. Many programs teach both—drawing fundamentals plus digital tool proficiency. Some studios still value hand-drawn skills even when output is digital. Learning both workflows gives you flexibility.

Both traditional and digital animation are grounded in the same fundamental motion concepts: keyframes, in-betweens, timing, spacing. Regardless of tools, the animators set the major poses and transitional frames. A strong drawing-based skill set helps even when working digitally. For example, digital in-betweening still requires understanding of movement and flow. (Pixune)

Getting experience: try drawing short hand-drawn flip animations on paper, then recreate them in a free digital tool to notice the workflow changes. Seeing how both produce movement from stills helps you recognise which style you prefer and gives you a versatile foundation for university animation study.