Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this short, we create a clean open-hand pose in Adobe Animate and set up a simple pivot/wrist connection so it rotates naturally later.
What we do:
Create a new layer: F.open (front open hand)
Press N for the Line Tool and block out the hand shape
Turn on Magnetics so your lines stay connected
Draw the thumb + fingers (index → middle → ring → pinky)
Hide the front arm so you can clearly see the pivot guide
Use the Oval Tool (fills OFF) to recreate the wrist pivot circle
Connect your hand lines into the oval for a cleaner rotation point
Quick cleanup: reshape with Selection Tool and adjust the thumb lines
Watch the full Chapter 4 here:
▶ Full Chapter 4: youtube.com/watch?v=8lw98BoueRU
🎓 Full course on Udemy (all chapters + exercise files): udemy.com/course/designing-cartoon-characters-in-adobe-animate
Highlights:
Faster hand drawing with Magnetics
Simple wrist/pivot setup for smoother animation
Clean open-hand pose you can reuse for rigs
#adobeanimate #animatecc #2danimation #handdrawing #characteranimation #rigging
In this short, we create a clean open-hand pose in Adobe Animate and set up a simple pivot/wrist connection so it rotates naturally later.
What we do:
Create a new layer: F.open (front open hand)
Press N for the Line Tool and block out the hand shape
Turn on Magnetics so your lines stay connected
Draw the thumb + fingers (index → middle → ring → pinky)
Hide the front arm so you can clearly see the pivot guide
Use the Oval Tool (fills OFF) to recreate the wrist pivot circle
Connect your hand lines into the oval for a cleaner rotation point
Quick cleanup: reshape with Selection Tool and adjust the thumb lines
Watch the full Chapter 4 here:
▶ Full Chapter 4: youtube.com/watch?v=8lw98BoueRU
🎓 Full course on Udemy (all chapters + exercise files): udemy.com/course/designing-cartoon-characters-in-adobe-animate
Highlights:
Faster hand drawing with Magnetics
Simple wrist/pivot setup for smoother animation
Clean open-hand pose you can reuse for rigs
#adobeanimate #animatecc #2danimation #handdrawing #characteranimation #rigging
