2d-character-rig-animation

2D character rig animation

Use this skill after the character design and approved model/reference sheets exist. Its job is to turn that design into a reusable performance system whose parts stay connected, poses remain on-model, facial states read clearly, and animation can be reproduced across shots and runtimes.

The rig may be SVG, layered vector art, raster cutouts, a bone-and-mesh puppet, or a hybrid. Runtime APIs differ; the production contract does not.

Boundaries

This skill owns:

• part decomposition, draw order, hierarchy, pivots, controls, and constraints;
• bind/rest pose and coordinate conventions;
• rigid cutout versus deforming mesh decisions;
• reusable body poses, facial states, visemes, gestures, and cycles;
• acting and choreography using the approved character;
• deterministic animation handoff and rig-specific QA;
• rig asset rights, likeness limits, provenance, and delivery notes.

It does not own:

• the character's visual identity, costume continuity, or reference-generation strategy;
• 3D armatures, volumetric deformation, or DCC-specific rigging;
• capture, cleanup, or retargeting of motion-capture data;
• voice performance, lip-sync provider selection, or final compositing;
• redesigning an approved character to hide a rig defect.

Evidence stance

• Documented fact: behavior from SVG/W3C, browser, accessibility, or other authoritative technical documentation.
• Production heuristic: an animation or rigging practice that must be adapted to the design and runtime.
• Empirical observation: measured behavior from the actual rig preview, frame samples, render, or delivery crop.

Technical references were checked 2026-07-12. Runtime-specific transform, clipping, mesh-deformation, IK, and export behavior is volatile; verify the selected renderer and version before committing the rig architecture.

Lock the rig contract

Collect or create:

• approved turnaround/model sheet and character bible;
• exact deliverables, aspect ratios, resolution, fps, duration, and runtime candidates;
• required views, actions, emotional range, dialogue languages, props, and interactions;
• whether the rig uses rigid pieces, deforming meshes, replacements, or a hybrid;
• maximum limb bends, reaches, squash/stretch, head turns, and perspective cheats;
• body and facial control list;
• naming, coordinate, unit, pivot, and transform-order rules;
• source-art, performer-likeness, font, prop, and brand rights;
• deterministic timeline format and renderer handoff;
• approval poses and test actions.