1. 2.02B Methods and Uses of Animation
2.02 Develop Computer Animations

2. Frame-by-Frame Animation
Rapidly displaying images, or frames, in a sequence to create the optical illusion of movement.
Digital animation is based on the frame by frame animation process.
Example of a ball bouncing.
The link opens this URL:

3. Frame-by-Frame Animation (Continued)
The quality of frame-based animation depends on the frame rate.
Frame Rate = Frames per Second
 FPS = Smoother Action
Teacher Note:
Supplemental Activity Just for fun: See if students can guess how many frames per second television uses.
TV Quality Video = 30 frames per second
Typical Computer Animation = 24 frames per second
Minimum = Anything under 12 frames per second will look “jerky”
The more frames per second, the smoother the motion appears.

4. Methods of Animating

5. Morphing Animation
The term morphing comes from the word metamorphosis, which is the transformation of one thing into another.
The beginning image is inserted.
The ending image is inserted.
The computer performs the tweening to generate a sequence of images, each of which is slightly different from the one it follows to gradually morph the two objects.
For example, a photograph of one person might gradually morph into a picture of another person.

6. Example of Morphing
The top two images show the beginning and ending images.
The lower images show the older man morphing into the young boy.
In business, morphing can be used for transitions between web pages or images.
Examples
Beginning Image
Ending Image
Finished Animation

7. Path Based Animation Also called vector animation.
An object follows a path which is a line, or vector, inserted by the animator.
A motion path can include curves, loops, and angles.
The computer calculates the correct position of the object as it moves along the path and generates the frames to create the animation.
Teacher Note:

8. Path Based Animation (Continued)
Vector graphics or animated gifs can be used to create animations with very small file sizes.
The small file sizes make this type of animation very popular on the Web.
Many of the banner ads and embedded animations viewed on web sites use this technology because it loads so quickly and is easy to use.
Teacher Note: In the banner, the text is following a motion path.
The butterfly is an animated gif following a motion path. The motion path was created using PowerPoint’s custom animation feature (Under the Slide Show Menu). When the Slideshow is running, click on the butterfly to see it follow the motion path.
To show the motion path in the slide view, right-click on the butterfly and click Custom Animation.

9. Programming or Scripting-Based Animation
Requires knowledge of a programming or scripting language.
Example: Rollover or Mouseover
When the mouse is moved over an image, it changes to a different image so quickly that it looks as if the change has occurred in a single instant.
Created by using scripting languages such as Javascript.

10. Programming or Scripting-Based Animation (Continued)
Rollovers are extremely important for navigation buttons on user interface designs.
Examples
Web pages ■ CBT programs
Kiosks ■ CD-ROM Training
Games ■ CDs and DVDs.

11. Stop Motion Animation
Process of manipulating real-world objects and photographing them one frame at a time.
Very popular method with the film industry until computer generated imagery became possible.
Now used mainly in clay animation.
Example
Teacher Note:
Supplemental Activity:
An early example of stop motion animation used in film can be found here:
It can be viewed in two different formats. It it entitled The Enchanted Drawing.

12. Uses of Computer Animations

13. Uses of Computer Animation
Entertainment
Films, computer games and virtual reality.
3D graphics are popular for these types of animations because they are more realistic.
Virtual Reality is the use of technology to immerse a user into an artificial environment.
Interaction occurs when the user moves around and manipulates simulated 3D objects in the environment.
Requires high-quality graphics using 3D technology.
Requires high frame rates for smooth motion, and high image resolution for realistic detail.

14. Uses of Computer Animation
Advertising
Animation can be used to catch the viewer’s eye.
Popular for banner ads on websites.
Selling – showcasing products or services.
Teaching – illustrating concepts or processes.
Training – simulating events or demonstrating techniques in presentations.
Examples:

15. Use Animation Appropriately
Before using an animation, be sure to answer the following questions:
Is it appropriate for the target audience?
Does it help deliver the message?
Is it overused?
Does it load quickly?

16. 3D Graphics and Animation Software

17. 3D Graphics and Animation Software
The leading graphics programs designed specifically for creating and editing 3D images are:
Xara 3D
3ds Max 4
Maya
Blender
Flash
Cinema 4D
These programs allow users to:
Create live-action animation
Bounce an object
Zoom in or out of a scene
Fade text or pictures in or out to create other animated effects.

18. Review Methods and Uses of Computer Animations
Methods of computer animations
Frame-by-Frame Animation
Morphing Animation – Uses shape tweening.
Path Animation - Uses motion tweening.
Programming and Scripting-Based Animation
Stop Motion Animation
Uses of computer animations
Advertising
Entertainment
Selling
Teaching
Training