CGMA UNIT 8

Computer Animation

Development of Animations: Non Computer and Computer Based Animations, Different Types of Animations.

The word animation comes from the Latin animatus, meaning “filled with life”. Similar to the film or video, animation is nothing but to display several pictures in a rapid movement to create the illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision. Traditional animation (also called cel animation or hand-drawn animation) was the process used for most animated films of the 20th century. Individual frames of a story are hand drawn on cels that are transparent plastic sheets. They are then photographed as a sequence against painted background. When these images are sequenced and run with a speed of 24 frames per second, creates an illusion of movement. This was one of the techniques used in development of earlier animated films. Similarly in motion films, action is shot with a speed of 24 frames per second (25 or 30 frames per second in case of video) & when it is run through the film projector with the same speed, the projected image seems to be moving or creates an illusion of movement. With advancement in the technology, CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) has been used since the 1970s, originally for short animation films. Another development known as 3D motion capture has been used in films such as The Polar Express (2004). In this film, the motions of live actors are converted into computer images. State-of-the-art technology available today has facilitated even a normal person to develop animations using computer system and related software.

If we consider the use of computer generated animations for education purpose, it has tremendous potential to provide visualizations of dynamic phenomena that involve change over time. Animations could be developed for those concepts which cannot be explained externally or by using physical objects (e.g. movement of electrons, power cycle of a petrol engine, etc). Teacher can develop and use his own content based simple animations. Animations could be 2D (2 dimensional) or 3D (3 dimensional). 2D Animation could be defined as the creation of moving pictures in a twodimensional

(X and Y dimension) environment, such as through "traditional" cel animation or in computerized animation software. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps. The eye can be "fooled" into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at the rate of 24 frames per second or faster. 3D Animation could be defined as the creation of moving pictures in a threedimensional (X, Y and Z dimension) digital environment. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps, filmed by a virtual "camera" and then output to video by a rendering engine. The eye can be "fooled" into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at a rate of 24 frames per second or faster.

These days, anyone can create 2D animation and it is not even such a slow process with programs such as Adobe Flash Professional (earlier Macromedia Flash). Some of the other programs used are DigiCel Flipbook and Toon Boom Studio. Adobe Flash is the most beginner friendly program and even for a professional one it provides good results. Toon Boom Studios share similar qualities with Adobe Flash as it is beginner friendly software. DigiCel Flipbook is a different tool which is used by most of the big animating studios for most of the biggest movies.

Flash Basics: Flash Work Flow, Animation Using Flash.

Flash is a software which has become very popular and an industry standard animation software. Flash can be used for everything from simple 2D animations to interactive 'rich content' Web sites, video, and mobile device content. Flash environment is very simple to use. Some of the main features of Flash are as follows:
 It is a vector based software and facilitates generation of vector based graphics used for 2D animation which are fully scalable.
 As it is a vector based software, the source file (*.fla) and run files (*.swf) generated are of small sizes so take very less time to load.
 It is much more flexible than animated GIF (Graphic Interchange Format).
 It can include text, audio, video, raster (bitmap images) and vector images.
 Action Script gives more experienced Flash designers the ability to create content with full user interaction.
 Mainly used on Web pages, for development of interactive multimedia and can also be used in PowerPoint.
 The Flash has near-universal browser support. Flash Player browser plug-in is required to play the flash files (*.swf), but most modern browsers have it pre-installed or even it is freely available online.
 Proprietary file format: 'industry standard', rather than 'open standard' - there are possible implication for digital preservation.
Currently Adobe Flash software available is Flash Professional which is the main authoring tool. It is also available as individual software or as a part of Creative Suite 5 with other Adobe products.

The Flash Work Environment: The Stage and the Time Line, Symbols and  Instances, Symbols and Interactive Movies, Using the Tool Box, UsingPanels, Using Context Menus, Moving the Play Head,

• The Stage is the rectangular area where you place graphic content when creating Flash documents. The Stage in the authoring environment represents the rectangular space in Flash Player or in a web browser window where your Flash content is displayed during playback. Default Stage size is 550 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall. Here the pixel numbers are unimportant because when you deliver a Flash movie to the Web, you can specify that Flash scale to any pixel dimension. To change the stage dimension right click mouse button & click on “Document properties” from Pop-up menu. You can set stage dimensions. You can also set Ruler Units, background color and frame rate for your animation.
• The Timeline organizes and controls a document's content over time in layers and frames. Like movie film, Flash documents divide lengths of time into frames. Layers are like multiple filmstrips stacked on top of one another, each containing a different image that appears on the Stage. The major components of the Timeline are layers, frames, and the playhead.
• Panels help you monitor and modify your work. Examples of panels in Flash include the Timeline, Actions panel, and Library. Panels can be grouped, stacked, or docked. The icon located in the top-right corner of panels allows you to access the panel's options menu.
• Layers in a document are listed in a column on the left side of the Timeline.
• Frames contained in each layer appear in a row to the right of the layer name. The Timeline header at the top of the Timeline indicates frame numbers.
• The playhead indicates the current frame displayed on the Stage. As a document plays, the playhead moves from left to right through the Timeline. By default, the playhead loops when it reaches the end.

improtant link of tutorial 

https://helpx.adobe.com/animate/tutorials.html 

Working the Frames using time line.Drawing Overview: Flash Drawing and Painting Tools, Working With Color, Using Imported Art Work, Adding Sound, Representation of Animation.Using Layers: Adding and Deleting Layers, Viewing Layers.Creating Text Boxes for User input.Creating Animations: Creating Key Frames, Layers in Animations, Frame Rates, Frame Rates, and Steps for creating animations. Frame by Frame Animations.Publishing and Exporting.