MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

REG NUMBER: IST-221-014/2012

NAME: MITAMITA CLIFF OSCAR

UNIT CODE: ICS 2311

UNIT NAME: COMPUTER GRAPHICS

TITLE: COMPUTER ANIMATION

IntroductionComputer animation is the art of creating moving images and symbols via the use of computers. It is a subfield of computer graphics and animation. Increasingly it is created by means of 3D computer graphics, though 2D computer graphics are still widely used for low bandwidth and faster real-time rendering needs. It is also referred to as CGI (Computer-generated imagery or computer-generated imaging), especially when used in films. To create the illusion of movement, an image is displayed on the computer screen then quickly replaced by a new image that is similar to the previous image, but shifted slightly. This technique is identical to how the illusion of movement is achieved with television and motion pictures.

This technique is identical to how the illusion of movement is achieved with television and motion pictures. For 2D figure animations, separate objects (illustrations) and separate transparent layers are used, with or without a virtual skeleton. Then the limbs, eyes, mouth, clothes, etc. of the figure are moved by the animator on key frames. The differences in appearance between key frames are automatically calculated by the computer in a process known as tweening or morphing. Finally, the animation is rendered.

For 3D animations, all frames must be rendered after modeling is complete. For 2D vector animations, the rendering process is the key frame illustration process, while tweened frames are rendered as needed. For pre-recorded presentations, the rendered frames are transferred to a different format or medium such as film or digital video. The frames may also be rendered in real time as they are presented to the end-user audience. Low bandwidth animations transmitted via the internet (e.g. 2D Flash, X3D) often use software on the end-users computer to render in real time as an alternative to streaming or pre-loaded high bandwidth animations.

Discussion

Computer Animation techniquesThere are various types of animation techniques practiced by film makers all over the world. Classical and digital 2D animation, digital 3D Animation, stop-motion, clay animation, cut-out animation, paint-on-glass animation, drawn-on-film animation, and experimental animation are just a few among the many existing forms of animation. Deciding a suitable animation technique for one project depends on various factors that include budget, look and feel, output quality, aesthetic, stylization, and story requirements.

Classical 2D animation

This is also known as hand-drawn 2D animation or traditional animation. In this technique animators need to make at least 12 drawings on paper for one second length of film. The drawings are later scanned or captured for post-production using computer. This technique was the dominant form of animation in film and TV series, until the development of CGI animation.

Digital 2D animation

In this type of animation frames are drawn directly on software using mouse or pen tablet. This technique is used mostly for TV series and web animation.

Digital 3D animation

This is one of the sought-after techniques in the current scenario. Using this technique, 3D models are created, textured, rigged, and animated in the virtual space. "3D" refers to Computer Generated Images (CGI) that create the illusion of three dimensional space with great accuracy.

stop-motion animation

Here, one needs to set the character or object, in the desired state or pose against its background to expose a frame, and then do slight modifications in progression and take another frame. The process is repeated until the desired length of animation is achieved and shot.

How computer animation works

The animator uses a computer to generate a sequence of still images, that give the illusion of motion through three dimensional spaces when one plays them.One requires a 3D animation software, such as 3DMax or Maya, and a good computer.

Instead of drawing every detail in the frame by hand, one draws every frame using a computer! The animator gives the software a set of parameters that describes how the elements should look and move, something along the lines of:"At frame #1 (a point in time) place the ball at coordinates X1,Y1,Z1 (a point in space).""At frame #25 (1 second later) place the ball at coordinates X2,Y2,Z2 (a second point in space)."

The animator also places a camera at coordinates X3,Y3,Z3 telling the software where to look at the scene FROM. When all the parameters are set, the computer then calculates two things (this calculation is called "Rendering"):

1. The journey the ball makes from point 1 to point 2: Where exactly should the ball be at each of the 25 frames?

2. How each frame looks from the point of view of the camera?

The end result is a sequence of 25 still images of a ball, moving incrementally across the screen. You play them on your DVD at the rate of 25 frames per second, and that, in a nut shell, is how computer animation works.

Computer Animation softwaresThere are many computer animation software in the market. Some of them include

FlipBook (DigiCel)

For creating 2D animation of any kind, Flash and FlipBook should be the very first two programs you consider. DigiCel’s FlipBook animation software does it all, from scanning to digital painting to mattes to lighting and any other novice or veteran trick you might need.

Flash (Adobe)

Flash is a great low budget easy solution with a lot of options. It’s rarely used to create films or long animations, but for something like a short commercial or public service announcement, it’s perfect. Google and other huge companies still use it from time to time when showcasing their new product releases.

Blender (The Blender Foundation)

Blender is easy to learn and has low processor and its small in term of memory requirements.

3ds Max (Autodesk)

Maya is friendlier to animators’ specific needs than 3ds Max is, but they’re both still exceptional programs that everyone should consider.

Importance of computer animationComputer graphics and animation have left an undeniable mark on the entertainment industry.

Pioneers in the field of CGI have struggled to bring highly detailed realism and beauty to their

work. Events, scenes and characters are being brought to life without the use of hokey rubber

suits or stilted animatronics. As computer graphics and animation continue to evolve, the limits

on what is possible in entertainment continue to dissipate.

As the development of technology is progressing day after day, computer is introduced into the

animation industry, the traditional animation technology (hand-draw animation) is a very large

scale project and the amount of time, labour and equipment involved is very costly. While for the

computer animation, the process is much less labor intensive, and generally much cheaper than

traditional animation, there is lesser chance of getting error as from stage to stage as computer

can have a backup file. Also by using computer it can shorten the production life cycle.

From the business point of view, animation can also help business to promote and advertise their

product, as flash animation design can attract customer more than a whole bunch of words or text

given out in brochure or plain text website. It can help customers to have a better memory of the

products.

From the education point of view, animation cartoons were one of the methods to educate

children outside the classroom through the media.

Conclusion

The Uncanny Valley concept of computer animation is essentially the point where computer animation becomes indistinguishable from real life.

With every year of CGI movies and new video games being released, it is clear that we our levels of technology are nearing the ability to very closely replicate reality with computer animation

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Selwyn, N., & Grant, L. (2009). how-does-computer-animation-work – an introduction. Learning, Media & Technology, 34(2), 79-86. doi:10.1080/17439880902921907

2. Mazer, J. P., Murphy, R. E., & Simonds, C. J. (2009). The science daily.computer_animation, 34(2), 175-183. doi:10.1080/17439880902923655

3. Computer Animation https://www.siggraph.org/education/.../animation/anim0.htm SIGGRAPH: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ANIMATION