An animation board, more commonly known as an animation desk or animation table, is a specialized workstation for traditional 2-D animators. This piece of equipment is essential for creating hand-drawn animation. The user’s provided definition (“a board used to display photographs or drawings quickly one after the other”) more accurately describes a storyboard or an animatic. An animation board, conversely, is the drawing surface itself. It provides the tools an animator needs to create smooth and consistent movement frame by frame.
The Animator’s Drawing Surface
A classic animation board is fundamentally a tilted drawing board. The angled surface allows an animator to work comfortably for long hours. This ergonomic design helps prevent neck and back strain. However, two special features make an animation board a unique and indispensable tool for hand-drawn animation. These features are the lightbox and the peg bar. They work together to give the animator precision and control over their drawings.
Key Components
| THE LIGHTBOX | The most crucial feature of an animation board is its built-in lightbox. A translucent glass or plastic disc is set into the center of the drawing surface. A light source is placed underneath this disc. When an animator turns on the light, it shines up through the paper. This allows the animator to see through several sheets at once. This ability is essential for a process called “onion skinning.” The animator can see the previous and next drawings in a sequence. This helps them create fluid and accurate movements between frames. |
| THE PEG BAR | To ensure perfect alignment, every animation board uses a peg bar. This is a small strip of metal or plastic with several round or rectangular pegs. Animators use paper that has been pre-punched with corresponding holes. They place the paper securely onto the peg bar. This system, known as registration, guarantees that each drawing is in the exact same position relative to the others. Without a peg bar, the drawings would shift slightly from frame to frame. This would cause the final animation to look jittery and unstable. |
The Animation Process
An animator uses the board to create the illusion of life. They place their first drawing, or “keyframe,” on the peg bar. They then place a new sheet of paper over it. With the lightbox on, they can see the previous drawing as a guide. They then draw the next frame of the animation on the new sheet. This process continues for every single frame needed. The combination of the lightbox and peg bar ensures a high level of precision. This allows for the smooth and believable motion we see in classic animated films.
Modern Digital Equivalents
Today, much of 2-D animation is created digitally. However, the principles of the animation board remain. Digital drawing tablets with screens, like a Wacom Cintiq, have replaced the physical board for many artists. Animation software now digitally replicates the classic tools. These programs have “onion skinning” features that mimic a lightbox. They also have digital registration tools that act like a virtual peg bar. While the technology has changed, the fundamental workflow pioneered on the animation board endures.
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