* Defining individual images: Animation is a sequence of still images (frames). Each frame depicts a slightly different pose or position of the characters and objects, creating the illusion of movement when played in rapid succession. Without frames, there's no way to separate these individual images.
* Controlling timing and pacing: The number of frames between similar poses determines the speed of an action. More frames per second (fps) means smoother, faster animation; fewer frames mean slower, more deliberate movement. This allows animators to precisely control the rhythm and feel of the animation.
* Facilitating the animation process: Frames act as a visual roadmap for animators. They create a structured way to organize and manage the individual drawings, making the process of creating and assembling a cartoon much more manageable.
* Enabling various animation techniques: Different animation techniques rely on framing in various ways. For example, frame-by-frame animation requires meticulous drawing of each frame, while techniques like limited animation might reuse certain frames or only change specific parts of the frame.
In essence, frames are the fundamental building blocks of any animated cartoon, providing the structure and means to create the illusion of movement and storytelling. They are as important to animation as individual words are to a sentence.