---
name: 3d-spatial
description: Use when working in Blender, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine, Cinema 4D, VR/AR applications, or any three-dimensional animation work.
---

# 3D Spatial Animation

Apply Disney's 12 animation principles to 3D software, VR/AR, and spatial computing environments.

## Quick Reference

| Principle | 3D/Spatial Implementation |
|-----------|--------------------------|
| Squash & Stretch | Lattice deformers, blend shapes |
| Anticipation | IK/FK wind-ups, camera pre-motion |
| Staging | Camera angles, lighting, depth |
| Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose | Layered animation vs blocking |
| Follow Through / Overlapping | Bone chains, physics simulation |
| Slow In / Slow Out | F-curve editing, animation curves |
| Arc | IK handles, motion paths in 3D space |
| Secondary Action | Cloth sim, particle systems, environment |
| Timing | Frame timing, VR 90fps requirements |
| Exaggeration | Stylized deformation, pushed poses |
| Solid Drawing | Volume preservation, silhouettes |
| Appeal | Character design, satisfying motion |

## Principle Applications

**Squash & Stretch**: Use lattice or mesh deformers for organic squash. Blend shapes for facial deformation. Scale bones in hierarchies. Always preserve volume—if Y compresses, X/Z expand.

**Anticipation**: IK rig wind-ups for character animation. Camera pulls back before push-in. Objects coil before release. VR: telegraph actions clearly for user comfort.

**Staging**: Camera angle sells the action. Three-point lighting directs focus. Depth of field isolates subjects. In VR, use spatial audio and lighting to guide attention.

**Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose**: Block key poses first (pose to pose), then refine (spline). Use layered animation—body first, then overlapping elements. Procedural secondary motion is straight ahead.

**Follow Through & Overlapping**: Bone chains for tails, hair, capes. Physics simulation for cloth and particles. Delay child bones from parents. Jiggle deformers for organic follow-through.

**Slow In / Slow Out**: F-curves (Blender), Animation Curves (Unity), Graph Editor (Maya). Tangent handles control easing. Flat tangents = slow, steep = fast. Never leave curves linear.

**Arc**: Motion paths visible in 3D space. IK handles naturally create arcs. Check arcs from multiple camera angles. FK rotation creates inherent arcs in hierarchies.

**Secondary Action**: Cloth simulation responds to primary motion. Particles emit on impacts. Environment objects react to character. Facial animation supports body action.

**Timing**: Film: 24fps with motion blur. Games: 60fps minimum. VR: 90fps required (72-120fps). Frame timing affects perceived weight—heavy = slower, light = faster.

**Exaggeration**: Push poses beyond anatomical limits for style. Smear frames for fast motion. Exaggerated anticipation and follow-through. VR: be careful—exaggeration can cause discomfort.

**Solid Drawing**: Check silhouettes from all angles. Maintain volume during deformation. Strong poses read in profile. Avoid interpenetration and broken geometry.

**Appeal**: Character design serves animation needs. Weight and balance feel believable. Movement has personality. In VR, presence and comfort are paramount.

## Software Techniques

### Blender
```python
# Add follow-through with driver
# On child bone, add driver to rotation
driver.expression = "var * 0.3"
driver.variables["var"].source = parent_bone.rotation

# Physics-based secondary
bpy.ops.object.modifier_add(type='CLOTH')
bpy.context.object.modifiers["Cloth"].settings.quality = 10
```

### Unity
```csharp
// Spring-based follow through
public class SpringFollow : MonoBehaviour {
    public Transform target;
    public float springStrength = 10f;
    public float damping = 0.5f;

    private Vector3 velocity;

    void Update() {
        Vector3 delta = target.position - transform.position;
        velocity += delta * springStrength * Time.deltaTime;
        velocity *= 1f - damping * Time.deltaTime;
        transform.position += velocity * Time.deltaTime;
    }
}
```

## VR/AR Considerations

| Aspect | Requirement |
|--------|-------------|
| Framerate | 90fps minimum, 120fps preferred |
| Motion | Avoid camera animation—user controls view |
| Comfort | Gradual acceleration, avoid sudden motion |
| Scale | Animations must work at world scale |
| Interaction | Clear feedback for hand/controller input |

## Performance Notes

- LOD (Level of Detail) for distant animations
- Bake complex simulations when possible
- GPU skinning for character meshes
- Culling animations outside view frustum
- VR: maintain framerate above all else


---
Source attribution: dylantarre
Original project: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/blob/83597134ba8ff59838270f94d7ac7282ffa3b54d/skills/01-by-domain/3d-spatial/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2024 Dylan Tarre

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: dylantarre
Original project: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/blob/83597134ba8ff59838270f94d7ac7282ffa3b54d/skills/01-by-domain/3d-spatial/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision

Fields of work: Design, Development & Engineering
Roles: Frontend Developer, Game Developer, Motion Designer, Product Designer, UX Designer
Specialties: Design
Tools: Blender, Cinema 4D, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 1a320b459666cfcdc24722326b75ea623b65240f0953e3f318198f390f83d8ff
Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27
This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.