Animation Research:
Here is the low down of all animation techniques, and with a little bit of background information.
Traditional 2D animation techniques:
Cel Animation:
This is the same as classical animation and hand-drawn animation. This is a traditional technique, where each of the frames in hand-drawn. A cel is a sheet of transparent cellulose acetate which is specifically designed for this type of animation, it is transparent so that you can see the frames underneath the acetate and therefore you can gradually see your image/frames coming together in unison nicely. Using this method is quite time consuming and you will need patience and the key is attention to detail.
Thought of You - Vimeo
Thought of You - Vimeo
Flip Books:
A flip book or a flick book is a book filled with different frames to create one whole animation, the images put together will animate by using a simulation motion or some other kind of other change. Flip books are usually illustrated for children's books. Flip books are not always individual books, they can vary and can be used in magazines and can feature in ordinary books too. There are websites and software packages that can help you achieve this look, and can change ordinary videos into custom-made flip books.
Rotoscoping:
This style of animation technique is where the animators then trace over the footage, frame by frame and then they can create a live-action and animated films. Rotoscoping is also used to capture the realistic movements of humans and animals, by again drawing over the footage,
Drawn - On Film:
This is where the directors directly draw on the film reel; this can be used with a different range of tools, methods and also techniques. On a blank film, the artist can paint, draw, stamp, and even glue or tape objects to the film.
Animation Loops:
Creating animation loops or animation cycles, is a labour-saving piece of work, which can help with animating repetitive motions, such as making a person walk or blowing a breeze through some trees. In case of the walking, the chosen character is made to walk by taking a step with his right foot, then vice versa. The loop is created so that, it can carry on playing without the need of playback manually.
Xerography:
or electrophotography, this is where it is a dry photocopying and printing technique, where a negative images is formed by a resinous powder, here this is charged by an electrostatic charge of -600 volts. Now the image has been transferred to the paper or another material.
Live - Action Hybrids:
This is quite similar to the computer animation, and also traditional animation hybrids, occasionally a production would combine both live action and also animated footage. The live-action parts of these productions are usually filmed first, the actors pretending that they are interacting with the animated characters, props, or scenery; animation will then be added into the footage later to make it appear as if it has always been there. Like rotoscoping, this method is rarely used, but when it is, it can be done to a really quirky and interesting effect, immersing the audience in a fantasy world where humans and cartoons co-exist in the world together,
2D Animation Digital Techniques:
Bitmap Graphics:
Here a bitmap is a image which is very pixelated, and they are in grod form.
These pixels, are picture elements here this means that they contain tiny dots in colour or in monochrome so that you can see what's on your screen or tv. All the images which you have scenned in are bitmap images, so are digital camera images they are bitmaps too.
Forms of Bitmaps:
BMP, GIF, JPEG, JPG, PNG, PCX, TIFF, PSD
These pixels, are picture elements here this means that they contain tiny dots in colour or in monochrome so that you can see what's on your screen or tv. All the images which you have scenned in are bitmap images, so are digital camera images they are bitmaps too.
Forms of Bitmaps:
BMP, GIF, JPEG, JPG, PNG, PCX, TIFF, PSD
Vector Graphics:
Vector-oriented images are more flexible than bit map images this is because they can be resized and stretched. In addition, images stored as vectors look better on chosen devices (monitors and printers) with higher resolution, whereas bit-mapped images always appear the same regardless of a device's resolution. Another advantage of vector graphics is that representations of images often require less memory than bit-mapped images do.
Vector Formats:
AI (Adobe Illustrator), CDR (CorelDRAW), CMX (Corel Exchange), WMF Windows Metafile, CGM Computer Graphics Metafile, DXF AutoCAD, CGM Computer Graphics Metafile, DXF AutoCAD.
Vector Formats:
AI (Adobe Illustrator), CDR (CorelDRAW), CMX (Corel Exchange), WMF Windows Metafile, CGM Computer Graphics Metafile, DXF AutoCAD, CGM Computer Graphics Metafile, DXF AutoCAD.
Flash:
Flash is a highly specialized programme. Flash animation can also be called Flash Cartoons, as it can be an animated film, which is then created by using Adobe Flash, or by using a similar animation programme, and then it is often distributed to the .swf file format. With the precise use of flash animation software it has now become such an easy task to give vent into your create side and create shapes of 3D models, cartoon characters as well as adding customized 3D impact on your website. Flash animation also does make it easier for you to create a high end graphic file with really good sound quality to bring your chosen animation together. This will build up rather well in your chosen animation.
After Effects:
Adobe After Effects software is the industry-leading solution for creating sophisticated motion graphics and cinematic visual effects. Transform moving images for delivery to theaters, living rooms, personal computers, and mobile devices.
Toon Boom Studio:
Toon Boom Studio Incorporated, this is a Canadian based software company and it specializes in production of animation software. Also, Toon Boom successfully develops storyboarding and animation based software for either film, television, web, game, mobile phone and also it can provide training applications to help you get the most out of your Toon Boom experience,
Anime Studio:
The Anime Studio, is completly for creating new 2D gra[hics. Here you can create 2D movies, Cartoons, cut out animation and also Anime. This is also Vector based, which as I've said previously it gives the cleaner look for the graphics.
Powerpoint:
Here the PowerPoint animation is a form of animations in which uses Microsoft PowerPoint and other similar programmes to create either a movie or a game. Generally the PowerPoint’s artwork is created by the AutoShape features, and then it is animated by slide-by-slide or either by using the Custom Animation. These animations can also be shared by transferring the PowerPoint file where they were created in, and then they can be viewed with PowerPoint or on Microsoft’s free PowerPoint viewer.