Course: Computer Animation

Topic outline

General
Topic 1
Be able to use software techniques used in animation (Learning Outcome 2 in Spec.)
- Animation Wiki - Add your favourite techniques
- P4 describe two different types of animation techniques
- P5 describe the special factors that need to be taken into account when creating animations for the web
- M2 compare two different specialist software packages or programming techniques used to create computer animation
- Adobe Macromedia Flash 8 Tutorials
- Flash1_and_2_2009 - includes bouncing ball motion guide File
- FlashButtons_and_Library File
- Steve's Flash Tutorials - Excellent Video Explanations URL
- Adobe Macromedia Fireworks Tutorials
- Handout: Create a simple ball animated GIF in Fireworks File
- Handout: Optimising an animated GIF in Fireworks File
- USE AT HOME: Ultrashock Flash examples from experts URL
- Creating an Animated GIF Using Fireworks Page
- D1 evaluate one software package or technique that is used to create animations
Topic 2
Be able to plan, create and review an animation using digital methods (Learning Outcome 3 in Spec.)
- P6 design, create and review animations for particular purposes that use both vector and bit map graphics
- P7 design, create and review animations for particular purposes that are designed to be incorporated into web pages
- Techniques for keeping file sizes small: Essential for the web - Publish Options Page
- Banner Examples - scroll down for lots of animated banners URL
- Storyboard Template - 4 panels per sheet File
- Storyboard Logo Example File
- Storyboard Stickman Example for Language Teaching File
- M3 adapt and improve animations based on formal reviews
- Spare Review Forms for P6 offline and P7 web animations File
- D2 evaluate the tools and techniques used to create finished animations
- Video - Compare 3 methods for bouncing ball: key frame, guide layer and action script - Steve's Tutorials URL
- Putting it Together - how animation gets made URL
- You Tube: How it's made - Animation URL
Topic 3
Understand the origins and types of animation (Learning Outcome 1 in Spec.)
- P1 describe how persistence of vision is used in animation
- Making Movies Move - persistence of vision File
- PERSISTENCE OF VISION Planet Science experiment URL
- P2 describe three applications for animations
  
  See below, side panel and Further Reading for ideas.
- About the Animation industry
- Animation Sector Profile, Who works in Animation and other articles by Skillset URL
- The Creatures That Jumped Off the Screen - difference between 2D and 3D animation URL
- Examples of Company Logos, Vitual Sets, TV Advertising URL
- Animation used to explain science - example URL
- TEACHING & LEARNING IN SECOND LIFE URL
- A paramedic suction unit used to teach in Second Life - click to expand
- Origins: Animated Movies File
- Computer Effects in films File
- Sports Drinks Realy Work: Alternative use of computer animation - Windows Media Player File
- Computer Cartoons File
- YouTube: Laura Solon's radio sketch turned into an animation URL
- Reference for Making Movies Move, Animated Movies, Computer Effects in films and Computer Cartoons: OXDALE, C, (1996) 'Making Science Work: The Movies', Heinemann, Oxford, UK, ISBN 0-431-06448-2
- P3 describe the features, advantages and limitations of animated GIfs and one other animation format
  
  See Fireworks Handouts for How to Create an animated GIF and how to optimise it.
- Graphic File formats - find the information among these explanations
- Examples of impressive animated gifs - takes a while to load URL
- Animator vs. Animation by Alan Becker in Flash URL
- M1 compare two different animation formats
- Stop-Motion Animated Christmas Card with computer generated snow File
- Web Optimisation
  
  P5 Describe the special factors that need to be taken into account when creating animations for the web
  
  Things to cover:
  
  File size, use of colour, sound, video, bitmaps, the media the animation is to play on. i.e. PC, PDA, Web TV, Mobile phones. Browser support for animation formats. Accessibility considerations.
- M4 explain particular techniques that are used to minimise the file size of animations
- Techniques for keeping file sizes small: Essential for the web - Publish Options Resource
- D1 - Evaluate one software package or technique that is used to create animations Page
- Try out alternative animation software here:
- Pencil Animation tool - click to see full size
- Pencil: Download this to your USB key drive and extract it and run it there File
- Pencil: simple-stop-motion-animation-of-line.swf File
- Free Computer Animation Program - Cylekx URL
- Maya 3D Modeling FREE TRIAL URL
- Maya 3D Brochure PDF File
Topic 4
Not available
Topic 5
Further Reading