AnimationAnn Ware

AnimationA simulation of movement

or the perception of motion created by displaying a

series of pictures or frames

The creation of moving pictures in a two-dimensional environment, such as those created with computerized animation software.

Objects move along a horizontal axis (x-axis) for simulating forward and backward movement

Objects move along a vertical axis (y-axis) for up and down movement

2D Animation

The creation of moving pictures in a three-dimensional environment; objects can be rotated and moved like real objects.

In addition to moving along the X-Y axis, objects can also move closer or farther away by moving along the z-axis.

3D Animation

Objects in 2D animation are flat, like a painting or photograph.

In 3D animations, objects are like sculptures—they have a front, back, top and bottom.

2D vs 3D

Frame

Stop Motion

Morphing

Warping

Types of Animation

A computer animation technique that creates movement one frame at a time; the illusion of movement is created by displaying objects in slightly different poses or positions, one frame after another in rapid succession

Frame Animation

Animation where a model is moved incrementally and photographed one frame at a time

Stop Motion

A special-effects process in which persons or objects seem to change shape, form, etc.

Morphing

A special-effects process in which an object is bent or twisted out of shape

Warping

Animation is obviously a key component in special effects

The application of computer graphics (specifically 3D animation) to special effects is known as computer generated imagery (CGI)

Special Effects

Frame – An individual picture in a sequence of images

Frames per second (fps) or frame rate: The number of frames per second at which an animation or video is intended to be viewed

Looping – Playing a sequence of frames over and over

Key Terms

Tweening – Short for in-betweening, an animation technique that, based on starting and ending shapes, creates the necessary “in-between” frames

Key frame – A frame in an animated sequence of frames which is drawn or otherwise constructed directly by the user rather than generated by the software

Key Terms

• Flash

• Ulead Gif Animator

• Photoshop

• Morpheus

• Fantamorph

Software