How can I create more lifelike secondary motion for character hair?

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How can I create more lifelike secondary motion for character hair?

Asked on Jan 14, 2026

Answer

To create lifelike secondary motion for character hair, focus on the principles of follow-through and overlapping action. These principles help to add realism by ensuring that the hair moves naturally in response to the character's primary movements, creating a sense of weight and fluidity.

Example Technique:

Step 1 – Identify the primary motion of the character, such as head turns or body movements.
Step 2 – Apply delayed motion to the hair, allowing it to lag behind the primary movement.
Step 3 – Refine the hair motion with overlapping action, ensuring it continues to move after the character stops.

Additional Comment:

Use keyframes to define the primary and secondary motion, ensuring clear timing and spacing.
Incorporate easing to smooth out the hair's acceleration and deceleration.
Observe real-world references to understand how hair reacts to different movements.
Experiment with different hair lengths and weights to see how they affect motion.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

Ask any question about Animation here... and get an instant response.

How can I create more lifelike secondary motion for character hair?

Asked on Jan 14, 2026

Answer

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