What is a critical element of animation continuity that Onion Skinning provides?

Onion Skinning is a technique used in animation that enhances continuity by allowing animators to see multiple frames at once. This visual feedback is crucial for ensuring that the movement and the positioning of characters or objects are consistent across frames. The primary benefit of frame alignment before and after a selected frame is that it helps animators gauge how their characters or objects should transition from one pose to another, thereby maintaining fluid motion and coherent storytelling.

By using Onion Skinning, animators can easily compare the current frame with adjacent frames, making adjustments as needed to ensure that motion is believable and smooth. This can include checking for appropriate spacing and timing, ensuring that the arcs of motion are correct, and maintaining the overall rhythm of the sequence. Therefore, the critical element of animation continuity provided by Onion Skinning lies in facilitating accurate frame alignment, which is essential for creating seamless animations.