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Homework 7 Problems

1. Prior to the invention of cel-based animation, how was animation produced?
Prior to cel-based animation, animation was produced by hand, frame by frame. That consisted of either a physical model (ie. claymation) or pen/ pencil and paper.

2. What is secondary action? Give an example of secondary action?
Secondary action is “the action of an object resulting from another action.” It can add interest and help make the scene more realistic. An example would be facial expressions on a character when the main idea of the action is being told through the body.

3. What is the role of the animator in a stop motion animation system? What is the role of the computer in a stop motion animation system?
Role of animator: Camera positioning, physical lighting, incremental physical object movements.
Role of computer: Stores/captures the data taken by the animator. Keep images in order taken. Can go back and view to check for smoothness, to “rock”.

4. How are computers used in 2D computer assisted animation production?
Computers are used to bring in images, and clean them up. They are also used to fill in the space between key frames, and complete lines (ie. splines). For example motion and shape tweening in Flash.

5. What is a virtual animation stand? Compare it to a physical animation stand.
Virtual Animation Stand allow the following: Camera Zoom In, Zoom Out, Background Image, pan, scroll, Infinite composited layers, animated element per layer, Exposure sheet driven, all specifics for each frame. It differs from a physical animation stand in that it is easier to manipulate.

6. What is an animation animatic? What is its function? A storyboard of sorts. A preliminary version of a short in which animated cutout figures are used instead of live participants and real objects to get an overall feel of the way the piece will be.

7. What is the role of the assistant animators? How do they fit into the conventional animation production process? What is their role in a computer assisted animation system?
Assistant animators take over after the ‘head’ animator has done his/her part. For example, the ‘head’ animator may set all of the key frames, and then its up to the assistant animator to make sure things run smoothly during the in-between frames. They may ink and paint cels. In computer assisted animation systems, they are a part of the team, they do what they need to, to make things run smoothly.

8. What is forward kinematics based animation? Give a simple example.
Forward kinematics is based on joint angles, and interpolation manipulated through key poses/ frames.
A simple example would be a person walking. As the person moves, the shoulders go forward, after the shoulders, the rest of the arm follows along in that path of motion.

9. In an inverse kinematics based 3D animation system, how is the animation controlled? Keyframes, and interpolation are the first controllers. Within key frames, the animation is controlled by restraints and restrictions from different forces. One restraint might be a limited range of motion by degrees (ie. 15º - 60°)

10. In the context of animation, what is anticipation? Give an example of anticipation.
Anticipation is Preparation for the action. For example when a character is about to start running, there is a pause in the pose, and after a few seconds, the action of running occurs. Another example is retracting a foot before kicking a ball.