Computer Animation

2D Animation

How do I develop key-frame animations in 2D applications?

Definition: Characteristics:

Non-Examples:Examples:

Key-frame Animation

Defines the starting and end points of any smooth transition.

Set a key at a given frame, move to another frame and set another key. Computer calculates change in between

Simple movement, rotation, size, color, transparency and shape changes in an animation

Stop motion animation like Pivot where key is placed on every frame

Vocabulary

Key-Assist Animation- Step above stop motion. Keys placed in timeline with computer calculating in between motion.

Lead Animation- Main animation, lead animators develop character, animations.

Interpolations (IPO)- Actual animation. IPOs can be displayed in graphs. A value of change.

How do I develop stick-figure animations in Pivot?

Stop Motion Animation VocabularyLines- Straight Pivot Character Segment

Segments- 2 types of Pivot components: lines and circles

Joints- Pivot point in a character

Figures- Actors in Pivot

Animated GIF files- Type of animated picture file. Only supports 256 colors.

How do I utilize Adobe Flash to complete industry standard animations used in web and advertising applications?

Flash Key-Framing Animation Vocabulary

Object Based Animation- New method in Flash that allows you to easily adjust animation between keyframes (as opposed to “Classic” frame tweens)

Kinematics- Process used in animating chains (bones)

Transformers- Used to scale, rotate and skew objects

Timelines- Display time as frames and keyframes for the animation

Tweening- Changing over time (i.e. shape, location color)