角色動畫是門獨特的表演藝術，主要是藉由角色的動作來傳達角色個性以及思考過程。它也是一個需要長時間與經驗的累積，要懂得運用時間與空間，且具有創造力的藝術。時間節奏與動作間距是構成動畫的兩大元素。時間節奏可以反應出物體的大小、重量與角色的情緒，而動作間距則直接影響運動的速度。因此，如何應用與掌控節奏與間距，就成為角色表演張力的關鍵所在。本研究將描述節奏與間距在動畫原則論述中的關係和意義，並分析傳統動畫原則在3D 電腦動畫上的應用。
此外，筆者也以過去在角色動畫製作上的經驗，嘗試架構出角色動作設計的工作流程。並透過動畫實作來驗證動畫原則在3D 電腦動畫中的應用，在實作過程中分析時間與間距的相互關係，讓動畫師在電腦輔助工具裡完全掌控角色的動作表演。也藉此說明動畫原則的意義與應用，不會因媒介工具的不同而有所差別。

Character animation is a unique performing art in which the character’s personality, thoughts and thinking process are conveyed mainly through the character’s movements. It is an art that takes time and experience to master. It’s also an art that involves the application of timing, spacing and creativity. Animation mainly consists of two key elements－timing and spacing. While timing can reflect the weight and size of an object as well as a character’s emotion, the spacing can directly influence the speed of an action. Therefore, how to apply and control timing and spacing becomes the key to the effect of the character’s performance. Not only the research describes the meaning and relation of timing and spacing mentioned in the animation principles, but it also analyzes how the principles of traditional animation are applied to 3D computer animation.
Besides, the author, with his past experience in making character animation, tries to outline the working procedures of designing a character’s actions. Through the production of animation, this research will demonstrate how the principles of traditional animation are applied to 3D computer animation and analyze the relation of timing and spacing in order to help animators fully control a character’s actions in the computer-aided system. Meanwhile, it also demonstrates that the meaning
and application of the animation principles remain the same even when the medium changes.