Animation
The techniques and knowledge to create interesting, effective animations can be used in a very wide variety of workplace settings. You could make attention-grabbing advertisements, interactive games, or impressive flash websites. We will be learning basic 2-D animation techniques, leading up to the possibility of exploring 3-D animation in the more advanced levels of Digital Media. Making objects and text move in order to catch the eye is a skill that not everyone has, so it can be highly marketable and profitable when properly applied in the real-world.
The software we will be using in Digital Media to create animations is Adobe Flash. It is an industry-standard program that is highly capable and versatile. Flash uses a timeline-based interface that can incorporate both frame-based and vector animation techniques. It can also utilize ActionScript coding to create interactive features like buttons and controls. It is rather expensive, especially for the amateur animator, but it is considered the best in the industry.
The software we will be using in Digital Media to create animations is Adobe Flash. It is an industry-standard program that is highly capable and versatile. Flash uses a timeline-based interface that can incorporate both frame-based and vector animation techniques. It can also utilize ActionScript coding to create interactive features like buttons and controls. It is rather expensive, especially for the amateur animator, but it is considered the best in the industry.
Objectives:
104.00 Understand concepts and methods used to create digital animation.
104.01 Understand concepts used to create digital animation.
104.02 Understand digital animation production methods, software, and hardware.
Essential Question:
What are the basic concepts used to produce digital animation?
What are digital animation production methods, software, and hardware?
104.00 Understand concepts and methods used to create digital animation.
104.01 Understand concepts used to create digital animation.
104.02 Understand digital animation production methods, software, and hardware.
Essential Question:
What are the basic concepts used to produce digital animation?
What are digital animation production methods, software, and hardware?
Animation Activities & ProjectsAt the beginning of this unit, we will be learning basic animation techniques through a few very quick and easy projects. After you have learned the fundamentals of Adobe Flash, you will apply your skills to create descriptive animations that accurately portray a complicated process to your audience. Finally, we will finish by learning frame-based techniques to produce a project that resembles an animated game.
Inside the SKILLS page, you will find project descriptions and constraints, the files necessary to complete each project, and how you will be submitting your finished works of art. |
Animation Notes & HomeworkAnimations can take many different forms. During this unit, we will learn the characteristics of several types of animations, and what each is commonly used for. We will also learn the correct process for producing professional animations and information about file types. All of this information will help you create industry-standard animations.
Inside the KNOWLEDGE page, you can find and download the PowerPoints I use during class lectures and discussions, links to take your assessments on BlackBoard, and other learning resources. |
Animation Resources
Blank Storyboard TemplateThe utilization of a storyboard for planning purposes is absolutely necessary if you intend to create effective, interest-grabbing animations. Use the template on the right to plan out movement of objects, background noises and/or sound effects, and how the overall progression of your animation will take place from start to finish. Sketch out the visuals and describe the technical details in written form. If this planning stage is used appropriately, it will help eliminate inadvertent mistakes that can result in an ineffective animation.
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Animation vs. Animator
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Check out these cool animated videos that demonstrate the capabilities of Adobe Flash. They are exciting and fun to watch, and were made completely using Flash. See if you can identify the software interface that appears throughout each video.
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Links to Websites for Sounds
Freeware Graphics Software
- Synfig Studio
- Pencil
- Photoscape