Originally written as part of my work at MyTona in 2021. Published in the company blog on Render.ru. Translation and adaptation by me. Original source – Render
Character Animation in Cooking Diary: Pipeline and Tips
In this article, I’ll walk through the animation pipeline used in Cooking Diary and share some tips for aspiring animators.
Let’s start with the types of characters in the game. In one of the updates, pets were introduced — cats and dogs that players can name, dress up, and care for. Later, more exotic pets were added as part of the battle pass system. In total, there are around 30 pets in the game, each with unique behavior patterns.
There are also many types of customers that visit the player’s restaurant — about 60, each with four emotional states: neutral, happy, sad, and angry.
The mood of each customer changes based on their wait time. The longer they wait, the more it shifts. Each character has a distinct personality expressed through animation.
Step 1: Defining the Character
Before animating, we define the character’s personality. Who are they? How do they react? How do they move? What are their limits?
For long animations like "play," we start with a mini-script. This helps plan the sequence of actions logically — no movement just for the sake of movement.
Reference material is crucial. For example, with the Akita puppy’s "play" animation, our initial idea was complex — tumbling with a ball. But we found a YouTube video of a puppy doing minimal movement yet telling a lot, and based the animation on that instead.
The same approach applies to customer animations. We study design docs and aim to reflect personalities accurately — whether it’s a TikToker girl or a cowboy.
We write mini-scripts for all four mood stages. Sometimes we exaggerate traits to make expressions readable even on small screens.
Where to find references? From movies, videos, and of course — real life.
Step 2: Animating the Character
Once we have the character and mini-script, we begin animation. In the next section, we’ll focus on key techniques we use to bring our characters to life.
Creating a Clear Pose
We start by creating keyframes, guided by the mini-script. This stage resembles storyboarding in Spine. We aim for clear, expressive poses, paying close attention to silhouette and line of action.
Timing and Spacing Rules
Next, based on the character’s personality, we define timing and spacing — some will be fast and energetic, others calm and slow. Timing (duration) and spacing (movement style) are fundamental principles that help convey personality, mood, and physicality.
Take, for example, the tiger playing with a ball. Both examples use the same number of frames, but the timing and spacing are different. In this one, the tiger moves evenly and mechanically:
And here, thanks to adjusted timing and spacing, the motion feels more lively:
Now compare the “eat” animation of a rabbit and a unicorn. Both are ~120 frames long, but their action timing differs based on character.
The rabbit is naturally fast but cautious — first sniffing, then quickly eating the carrot. This results in uneven timing. The unicorn is also cautious but slower and more graceful, with more even movement.
Maintaining Animation Rhythm
Another important element is rhythm. Timing sets when keyframes appear, spacing defines how movement flows, and rhythm brings everything together into a visual melody. Good rhythm in animation — like in dance — is often irregular and dynamic. Monotony tends to bore quickly.
Final Touches: Facial Expressions and Acting
The pets in Cooking Diary are designed to be cute. Since premium pets are paid content, our goal is to make them appealing and emotionally engaging. Expressiveness and clarity are key to evoking empathy.
Even though these pets are cartoony, they don’t speak. That’s why we focus on pantomime and readable expressions. The emotions must be clear and believable. Many animators use their own pets for reference — observing behavior helps us bring characters to life.
Here’s the unicorn in its “play” animation. Being a magical and innocent creature, we aimed for a childlike personality. Observations of children helped us capture this mood.
We follow the same principles for customers. Each one must be distinct and show personality. Players should instantly sense their mood and want to interact with them.
In the restaurant hall, you’ll see customers dancing, sitting, entering, or leaving — and each has their own walk cycle and style.
Three Tips for Aspiring Animators
To wrap things up, here are our top 3 animation tips for beginners:
- Be a bit of an actor: Always check if your character feels believable. Record yourself acting it out if needed. Realistic motion helps players connect with the character.
- Observe the world: Watch people, animals, nature — and build your mental library. Genuine observation is key to emotional authenticity.
- Study other works: Watch animated movies and play games. Analyze how others solve animation challenges and let their creativity inspire yours.
That’s all for now. Wishing you creative inspiration and growth!
