A significant technical aspect of 2D storyboarding involves utilizing the Multi-Plane Camera Effect (or parallax scrolling in digital 2D), where elements are separated onto different visual layers that move at varying speeds to create an illusion of depth and dimension. The storyboard artist must clearly define which elements belong on the foreground, middle ground, and background planes and indicate the camera’s movement through these layers (a ‘truck-in’ or ‘truck-out’). This is crucial for adding visual richness and a sense of scale to traditionally drawn animation.

In the digital era, students learn how to pre-visualize this complex, layered movement, often using software like Toon Boom Storyboard Pro to simulate the 3D-like camera moves within a 2D space. Understanding this technique is vital for graduates entering 2D animation pipelines, as it demands both technical spatial awareness and artistic judgment to ensure the movement enhances the narrative without becoming distracting or structurally confusing.