Separate the background from the motion
See this course’s project requirements
A two-second ball loop, its editable Pencil2D source, a timing plan and a before/after revision note.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- A 320×240 silent scene lasting 24 frames at 12 FPS.
- Six planned poses developed into 12 distinct drawings.
- Separate moving-ball and static-ground layers.
- A playable GIF or 24 ordered PNG frames with a playback-rate note.
- PCLX source and a short timing comparison.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- The action and contact moment are readable.
- Frame count, rate and range agree with the timing plan.
- The scene stays inside the camera field.
- The export and revision note preserve inspectable work.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Open dot-loop-03.pclx. The ball layer has 12 keys. Camera 320×240; ground line intended near y=190.
Layers separate elements that need different editing and timing.
Separate the background from the motion — guided practice
Keep a static ground on its own layer and confirm camera framing.
Open dot-loop-03.pclx. The ball layer has 12 keys. Camera 320×240; ground line intended near y=190.
1. Create a background layer
Use Layer > New Bitmap Layer and name it Ground. Drag its layer row below Ball. At frame 1 add a key if needed. Choose a muted pencil color and draw one ground line from about x40 to 280 at y190.
You should see: A single ground drawing sits behind the moving ball.
A background does not need to be redrawn in every key.
2. Check the complete range
Scrub frames 1, 13, 24 with Ground visible. The line should persist from its frame 1 key. If it vanishes, inspect Ground for an unintended later blank key and remove that key.
You should see: The ground remains stationary throughout the loop.
A later blank key can end a held background unintentionally.
3. Check camera edges
Double-click Camera and confirm 320×240. Leave the camera position unchanged. Inspect the highest ball at frame 1 and the contact at 13; both should fit with space around them.
You should see: No ball or ground endpoint crosses the camera boundary.
Art outside the camera field is omitted from the export.
4. Clean visible marks
Hide onion skin, then inspect every key for loose guide strokes. Erase unwanted marks on the correct layer only. Save As dot-loop-04.pclx.
You should see: The scene has a consistent background and clean moving outlines.
Separate layers let you correct the ball without damaging the ground.
What to finish
A layered and framed animation ready to export.
Watch for this
Drawing a static background repeatedly on the moving layer.
How can I tell I understand it?
Explain the result, reproduce the procedure, and complete the changed-input check.
Quick knowledge check
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Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Pencil2D | Learn 2D Animation Tutorial Overview
From TJ FREE. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read camera field, bitmap drawing, timeline keys, playback and onion-skin controls.
Access: Public reading without a paid account; reviewed September 12, 2026.
Reuse: Link only. Lessons and practice assets are original; free access does not grant permission to copy the provider's material.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read camera size, initial save/autosave, selection copy-paste, GIF export and PCLX explanation. Legacy operating-system lists are not used as current requirements.
Access: Public reading without a paid account; reviewed September 12, 2026.
Reuse: Link only. Lessons and practice assets are original; free access does not grant permission to copy the provider's material.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read export options, even-number camera dimensions, frame-rate issues and missing exporter guidance. No bypass of device security is required.
Access: Public reading without a paid account; reviewed September 12, 2026.
Reuse: Link only. Lessons and practice assets are original; free access does not grant permission to copy the provider's material.
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