The Animator's Blueprint The Beginner's Guide to Mastering Moho

Foreword

To You, the (Aspiring) Animator

Welcome to Moho

Chapter 1 Creating Your First Animation in Moho

Chapter 2 Designing For The Rig

Chapter 3 The Importance of Layer Organization

Chapter 4 Animating For the Story

Chapter 5 Character Design and Animation

Chapter 6 Building a 2D Scene in a 3D Space

Continue Your Journey

Biography

Chris Georgenes has worked as an animator and designer for Adult Swim, Nick Jr., FX, and Soup2Nuts Studio, among others. A sought-after industry expert, he has been a featured presenter at conferences all over the world including the popular Adobe MAX. A go-to subject matter expert for the Adobe Creative Channel, and a live tutorial and demo host for Adobe Animate, Chris has also served as an Adobe Community Expert for over a decade.

Chris was on the front lines of Macromedia Flash when it revolutionized the web browser landscape. He developed studio workflows using Flash for television broadcast before learning the benefits of Flash for the internet. Chris went on to write over ½ dozen books on designing and animating with Flash/Adobe Animate and became well known for his home-grown techniques and use of the software.

Beyond animation, Chris is also an accomplished professional musician and recording artist. He has performed live for a variety of bands across the US to the famed Abbey Road Studios in London. Chris enjoys collaborating and recording original music and has worked with Grammy award winning mixing/recording engineer Bob St. John. A recent album Chris helped record with Jennifer Tefft & The Strange, won the New England Music Awards Album of the Year in 2024.

McCoy Buck is an animator, instructor, and author recognized for his expertise in Moho (formerly Anime Studio) and his decade-long contribution to the 2D animation community. In 2014, he launched his YouTube channel (McCoy Buck), dedicated entirely to Moho, which now serves over 22,000 subscribers with free courses, tutorials, and live streams. That same year, he founded the second-largest Moho community online, fostering collaboration and learning among animators worldwide. McCoy has also developed several in-depth Moho courses on design, rigging, and animation, enrolling thousands of students seeking professional-level guidance.

In 2019, McCoy created the official tutorials for the launch of Moho 13. He also appeared as a guest speaker on Moho’s official webinar series, and contributed as a guest writer and interviewee for Smith Micro’s Anime Studio blog. Beyond his educational content, McCoy trains animation studios and mentors animators of all levels, from those just starting out and passionate hobbyists to established creators with millions of followers, helping them transition to Moho and refine their production pipelines. Through his teaching, mentorship, and community leadership, McCoy helps aspiring and experienced animators alike connect with the same passion for animation and Moho that drives his work.

“This book feels like learning alongside your best mates who know everything about animation. Each chapter is clear, playful, and thoughtfully designed to help you progress fast without feeling overwhelmed—perfect for learners at any level.” — Ally Inkpen, 2D Animator

“I’ve been in the animation industry for 30 years, and this book is a game changer for anyone wanting to learn Moho. If you’re still wondering whether to read it, stop thinking and do it—you won’t regret it.” — JP Roberts, Senior Art Director | Animator | Illustrator

“Read this book! Learning the fundamentals to a complex process will save you years of tutorials and frustration, and the step-by-step breakdowns build a solid foundation that gets you to the best part—creating and animating.” — Jenny Rahman, Digital Design Manager at PGA TOUR

“A lot of thought and care has gone into this book, and it shows in every lesson. The pacing is clear and consistent, making it a true one-stop shop for learning Moho.” — Matthew Holder, 3D Designer

“It’s easy to get lost in endless tutorials and still feel stuck. This book is the exception—McCoy and Chris explain the ‘why’ behind every step, creating a goldmine of Moho knowledge for both new and seasoned animators.” — Nicholas Mitchell, 2D Animator | Rigger