Rob Adams
Task 1
P1 Explain the different types of animation.
Definition
A definition of Animation from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/animation.html
(webopedia) is the 'simulation of movement created by displaying a series of
pictures or frames.' The frames are played one after another to create and
illusion of animation, as if the animation has been brought to life. Modern
animation is used in almost all forms of media. Animation plays a huge part in
cinema, as well as television, advertising, websites and much more.
Traditional methods
Lumiere Brothers
A traditional method of animation would be the Lumiere brothers who invented the cinematograph. This was a pioneering invention as it was much more portable than anything previously invented. It produced a much better quality image then anything previously used. It also allowed more than one viewer to see the animation that was being shown. The invention was patented in 1895 and marked the birth of modern cinematography.
William Horner
Another traditional method would be William Horners' Daedalum. This was a cylindrical machine that viewers would look into via a small slit. The rapid movement inside the machine would create the illusion of animation. William Horner invented the Daedalum in 1834, but its popularity only gained in 1867, over 30 years after its initial invention, when it was patented by M. Bradley and William F. Lincoln, who renamed it the Zoetrope. With the birth of modern cinema in 1895, the Zoetrope's popularity rapidly decreased.
A traditional method of animation would be the Lumiere brothers who invented the cinematograph. This was a pioneering invention as it was much more portable than anything previously invented. It produced a much better quality image then anything previously used. It also allowed more than one viewer to see the animation that was being shown. The invention was patented in 1895 and marked the birth of modern cinematography.
William Horner
Another traditional method would be William Horners' Daedalum. This was a cylindrical machine that viewers would look into via a small slit. The rapid movement inside the machine would create the illusion of animation. William Horner invented the Daedalum in 1834, but its popularity only gained in 1867, over 30 years after its initial invention, when it was patented by M. Bradley and William F. Lincoln, who renamed it the Zoetrope. With the birth of modern cinema in 1895, the Zoetrope's popularity rapidly decreased.
Computer Animation Techniques
Frame by Frame
One technique of
computer animation is Frame by Frame. This is when images are placed in
chronological order and are then played one after another at a continuous speed
so that it seems as if the images are moving.
Whilst simple, it can take a very long time to create and edit.
Tweening/Morphing
A second method is Tweening. This is when you create and animation of one shape transforming into another. For example, and animation of a Triangle transforming into a Square would be an example of Tweening. It the smooth transformation of one image to another. This is also known as morphing.
Masking
A final technique would be masking, which is when something in the animation is covered over and replaced with something else. It can also be used to mask certain images in an animation from the viewer. An example would be the images below. The circle on the first image shows what will be seen when the animation is viewed, and the second shows the animation being masked.
Tweening/MorphingA second method is Tweening. This is when you create and animation of one shape transforming into another. For example, and animation of a Triangle transforming into a Square would be an example of Tweening. It the smooth transformation of one image to another. This is also known as morphing.
Masking
A final technique would be masking, which is when something in the animation is covered over and replaced with something else. It can also be used to mask certain images in an animation from the viewer. An example would be the images below. The circle on the first image shows what will be seen when the animation is viewed, and the second shows the animation being masked.
