Archive for the ‘Design Animation’ Category

Animation in Websites

Computer animation is an “artful blend of creative vision and technology.”³ It has its uses in developing attractive websites. Movements in a webpage induce different reactions from users. Too little movements can cause boredom to viewers, but too much of it can be unpleasant for them. A well-done animation incites interest, while a bad animation produces distraction and increase in download times. Animation is like a hot sauce that is pleasant to the taste of most people when used sparingly, but not when used excessively.¹

Two factors constrain you in creating animated web pages: your skills and the limitations of the viewer’s browsers.¹

An article in All Web Design Blog provides the following pointers in using animations in your website:²

1. Appropriateness of an animation to the contents of your site

The animation that you plan to use must have relevance to the message that you want to convey to your readers. If, for example, you are selling electronics products, then it is only appropriate to make and show animations of cool gadgets and not of any other things unrelated to electronics.

2. Effect of the animation you plan to use on the load time of your website

You should not compromise the load time of your website by putting too much animation that slows it down significantly. People may not have enough patience to wait a very long time.

3. How your animation blends with your website

Your animation might be too much for the viewers of your website. Overdoing it can make a webpage chaotic. Colors must blend properly. Some websites are more attractive with bright colors; some websites are better with soft colors.

4. Uniqueness

How memorable is your animation to the minds of the viewers of your website? Is it unique, or is it common to other websites?

5. The use of plug-ins

If your animation requires the use of plug-ins, some people might not be able to view it.

Graphic Design and Animation

To be skilled in both graphic design and animation, some students study fine arts, communications, advertising, marketing, design services, and multimedia. Some other areas that they also study are 2D and 3D design, art history, communication design, typography, layout, drawing, and computer science. Both graphic design and animation requires knowledge in communication and graphic design software. They encourage students to acquire exceptional skills in communication and problem-solving, and to see things visually and conceptually.⁴

Graphic design is what we see in t-shirts, magazines, billboards, corporate brandings, and web pages for private firms, while animation is what we view in televisions, films, and computers.⁴

Kinetic Design

The animation of a product has almost the same importance as form, color, or material in terms of aesthetics. Kinetic design is the “aesthetic design of physical movement.”⁵ Animators use their knowledge in the concepts of movement to imitate reality and create special effects for the entertainment industry.⁴ Movement has been studied over many years in order to come up with something more creative than what we already know.⁵ The video is the “most natural and effective method to record motion concepts.” A designer can video the movements of an object that he is developing from different angles. He can also study the movements of the object as it moves at varying speeds.⁵

There are two ways in which kinetic design is useful: a means of improving how objects do their functions, and a method of inventing and developing product concepts.⁵

Critical elements of kinetic design methodology⁵

1. A vocabulary for motion
2. Methods for sketching motion
3. Recording motion

Kinetic design helps us to develop an object that not only looks like the real one but also acts like it. An illustration is a female robot that is in form and color similar to a real female human being but does not act the same way as the real one. It would be better and awe-inspiring if we could develop a female robot that can also move and walk in a manner similar to a real human. Kinetic design helps us to see a hint of life to an otherwise lifeless object.⁵

Kinetic design helps us to develop objects that are not only functional but also artistic and beautiful. Examples are the equipments found in sci-fi movies where the gadgets they use do not only serve their purpose but are also impressive aesthetically. It is also better if the design of an object is innovative. Example, if you could develop a faucet that has some engaging features aside from the existing features that it usually have, then the added interest of consumers will reflect in the sales of the company that developed it.⁵

Studying the motions of objects and using the concepts underlying them in designing is helpful in developing state-of-the-art products. The styling and appearance of a product is one thing; its movement and kinetic character is another matter.⁵

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¹Thomason, Larisa. “Design Tip: Animation with JavaScript.” Net Mechanic. Aug 2000. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.netmechanic.com/news/vol3/design_no10.htm>.
²admin. “Using Animation Effectively in Web Design.” Online posting. 3 Dec 2010. All Web Design Blog. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.allwebdesignresources.com/webdesignblogs/graphics/using-animation-effectively-in-web-design/>.
³“Become a Professional in Animation.” Design Training. 30 Nov 2010. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.design-training.com/computer-animation/>.
⁴“Graphic Design and Animation Curriculum.” GradSchools.com. Sep 2010. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.gradschools.com/article-detail/graphic-design-curriculum-1608>.
⁵Hopson, Ben. “Kinetic Design and the Animation of Products.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. Core77. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/kinetic_design_and_the_animation_of_products_by_ben_hopson_12642.asp>.

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3D Modeling, Drafting, Product Design, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks

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2D drawing

- An indirect and incomplete representation of an engineering product or system, subject to interpretation and error¹

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3D

- A real object or true depiction of real image¹

3D computer graphics

- Graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data… that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images³

3D computer graphics software

- Programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery⁹

3D model

- The product of 3D modeling²

- An object that is constructed on three planes²⁷

3D modeling

- The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object… via specialized software²

- The construction, manipulation, and storage of geometric objects to represent objects… around us or virtual objects¹⁷

3D printing

- A form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by successive layers of material⁶

3D rendering

- The 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer⁵

3D wireframe

- Extension of 2D drafting¹²

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Assembly modeling

- Technology and methods used by Computer-aided design and Product visualization computer software systems to handle multiple files that represent components within a product¹⁵

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Computer-aided design (CAD)

- The use of computer technology for the design of objects, real or virtual¹²

- A combination of both hardware & software that helps architects, engineers and related professionals in the real estate & manufacturing industry worldwide¹⁸

- An important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more¹²

- A major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and software), and discrete differential geometry¹²

- Especially important technology within the scope of computer-aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle¹²

- One of the many tools used by engineers and designers and is used in many ways depending on the profession of the user and the type of software in question¹²

- One part of the whole Digital Product Development (DPD) activity within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) process¹²

Computer-aided geometric design (CAGD)

- The design of geometric models for object shapes, in particular¹²

Computer animation or CGI animation

- The art of creating moving images with the use of computers¹⁰

- An artful blend of creative vision and technology³¹

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Design intent

- How the creator of the part wants it to respond to changes and updates⁴

DWGgateway

- A free data translation tool that enables any AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG file, regardless of the version of AutoCAD it was made in⁴

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eDrawings Professional

- An e-mail-enabled communication tool for reviewing 2D and 3D product design data across the extended product development team⁴

Electronic design automation (EDA or ECAD)

- A category of software tools for designing electronic systems such as printed circuit boards and integrated circuits²⁶

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Features

- Building blocks of the part⁴

- The shapes and operations that construct the part⁴

FeatureWorks

- Feature recognition software that lets designers make changes to static geometric data, increasing the value of translated files⁴

Flexibility

- The ability to change angles or animate images with quicker rendering of the changes²

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Group

- A starting point for discussions and collaborations²⁸

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Innovation

- A vital ingredient of business success²⁹

Interoperability

- The key issue which integrates various CAD CAM CAE tools¹

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Kinetic design

- Aesthetic design of physical movement³²

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Level sets

- A useful representation for deforming surfaces which undergo many topological changes²

Lighting

- An important aspect of scene setup²

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MACRO (merge and correlate recorded output)

- Anything more than a single command¹⁹

- Rule or pattern that specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to an output sequence according to a defined procedure²⁰

Macro program

- Computer programs that capture the user’s actions as if it is recording the user²¹

MoldflowXpress

- A mold design validation tool that was built into a solid modeling environment⁴

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Parameters

- Constraints whose values determine the shape or geometry of the model or assembly⁴

Polygonal modeling

- An approach for modeling objects by representing or approximating their surfaces using polygons⁸

Print3D

- A 3D printing feature that allows users to convert their 3D CAD model to a .STL file and then have it sent to specialty manufacturers for quote⁴

Procedural modeling

- An umbrella term for a number of techniques in computer graphics to create 3D models and textures from sets of rules⁷

Product design

- The efficient and effective generation and development of ideas through a process that leads to new products³⁰

Pro/ENGINEER

- A parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation¹³

- The first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software¹³

- An integral part of a broader product development system developed by PTC¹³

- A piece of software that falls within the category of CAD/CAM/CAE and site alongside other similar products currently on the market¹³

- A feature based modeling architecture incorporated into a single database philosophy with advanced rule based design capabilities¹³

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Skeletal animation

- A technique in computer animation, particularly in the animation of vertebrates, in which a character is represented in two parts: a surface representation used to draw the character… and a hierarchical set of bones used for animation only¹¹

Solid modeling

- A consistent set of principles for mathematical and computer modeling of three dimensional solids¹⁴

SolidWorks

- A 3D mechanical CAD… program that runs on Microsoft Windows and was developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks… a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes⁴

- A competitor to CAD programs such as Pro/ENGINEER, I-DEAS, Unigraphics, and CATIA⁴

- A parasolid-based solid modeler⁴

SolidWorks Flow Simulation

- A tool that tests fluid-flow simulation and thermal analysis so designers can conduct tests on virtual prototypes⁴

SolidWorks MoldBase

- A catalog of standard mold base assemblies and components⁴

SolidWorks Motion

- A virtual prototyping tool that provides motion simulation capabilities to ensure designs function properly⁴

SolidWorks Simulation

- A design validation tool that shows engineers how their designs will behave as physical objects⁴

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

- A design validation tool that caters to designers without engineering background⁴

SolidWorks Sustainability

- A product that measures the environmental impact of designs while they are modeled in SolidWorks⁴

SolidWorks Toolbox

- A library of parts that uses “Smart Part” Technology to automatically select fasteners and assemble them in the desired sequence⁴

SolidWorks Utilities

- Software that lets designers find differences between two versions of the same part, or locate, modify, and suppress features within a model⁴

SolidWorks Viewer

- A free plug-in for viewing SolidWorks parts, assemblies, and drawings⁴

SolidWorks Workgroup PDM

- A PDM tool that allows SolidWorks users operating in teams of 10 members or less to work on designs concurrently⁴

Sub-forum

- A great place to share your experiences and do your Q&A with other users²⁸

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Technical drawing or Drafting

- The academic discipline of creating standardized technical drawings by architects, interior designers, drafters, design engineers, and related professionals¹⁶

- Integral communication of technical or engineering drawings and is the industrial arts sub-discipline that underlies all involved technical endeavors¹⁶

- Means of clearly and concisely communicating all of the information necessary to transform an idea or a concept into reality²²

- Drawing plan, rendered to scale, used to communicate direction and specifics to a group of people creating something²³

- Formal and precise way of communicating information about the shape, size, features and precision of physical objects²⁴

- Universal language of engineering used in the design process for solving problems, quickly and accurately visualizing objects, and conducting analysis²⁴

- A graphical representation of objects and structures²⁴

- Expression of bodies by lines²⁴

- Skill, a vocation²⁵

Tessellation

- The process of transforming representations of objects, such as transforming the middle point coordinate of a sphere and a point on its circumference into a polygon representation of a sphere²

- A significant contributing factor to the resulting aesthetic and visual quality of the finished work²

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References:
¹Sunith. “Transforming a 2D Drawing to 3D CAD Data.” Online posting. 10 June 2009. CAD Professor. 19 July 2010 <http://www.cadprofessor.in/2009/06/transforming-a-2d-drawing-to-3d-cad-data/>.
²“3D modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeling>.
³“3D computer graphics.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_computer_graphics>.
⁴“SolidWorks.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SolidWorks>.
⁵“3D rendering.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_rendering>.
⁶“3D printing.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Printing>.
⁷“Procedural modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_modeling>.
⁸“Polygonal modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonal_modeling>.
⁹“3D computer graphics software.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeler>.
¹⁰“Computer animation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_animation>.
¹¹“Skeletal animation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_animation>.
¹²“Computer-aided design.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD>.
¹³“Pro/ENGINEER.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro/ENGINEER>.
¹⁴“Solid modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_modeling>.
¹⁵“Assembly modelling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_modelling>.
¹⁶“Technical drawing.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_drawing>.
¹⁷Dillip Kumar Barik. “Mechanical Cad Design and 3D Modeling Services.” Online posting. 22 Mar 2010. ArticlesBase. 20 July 2010 <http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/mechanical-cad-design-and-3d-modeling-services-2026899.html>.
¹⁸cadserviceireland. “Affordable CAD Services and CAD 3D Modeling Services.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. A1Articles. 20 July 2010 <http://www.a1articles.com/article_801232_15.html>.
¹⁹Ralph Grabowski. “TIPS: Macros.” Online posting. 5 Feb 2004. WorldCAD Access. 26 July 2010 <http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2004/02/tips_macros.html>.
²⁰Srivastava, Rahul. Customization of CAD Modeling Software using Parametric Macros for Design of Machinable Artistic Surface Patterns. Patiala: Thapar University, 2009. 27 July 2010 <http://dspace.thapar.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/10266/1033/1/RAHUL+SRIVASTAVA+80781021-+2009.pdf>.
²¹Schoonmaker, Stephen J. The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-Aided Design. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2003.
²²Goetsch, David L., et al. Technical Drawing. 5th ed. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, c2005.
²³“Definition of Technical Drawing.” YourDictionary. 20 July 2010. 3 Aug 2010. <http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/Definition-of-Technical-Drawing.html>.
²⁴G. Gülsev Uyar Aldas. “JFM210 Technical Drawing and Computer Application Lecture Notes (First Part).” Scribd. 26 Nov 2008. 3 Aug 2010 <http://www.scribd.com/doc/8455804/Technical-Drawing>.
²⁵Lee, Xah. “What Is Technical Drawing, Descriptive Geometry, Projective Geometry, Linear Algebra.” XahLee.org. 2 Aug 2010. 3 Aug 2010 <http://xahlee.org/3d/tech_drawing.html>.
²⁶“Electronic design automation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 26 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_design_automation>.
²⁷Kay. “25 (Free) 3D Modeling Applications You Should Not Miss.” Online posting. 14 Aug 2010. Hongkiat.com. 16 Aug 2010 <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-3d-modelling-applications-you-should-not-miss/>.
²⁸Saikat Basu. “Easily Learn 3D Modeling with 3DVIA Shape.” Online posting. 15 June 2010. MakeUseOf. 23 Aug 2010 <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3d-modeling-skills-easy-3dvia-shape/>.
²⁹Baxter, Mike. Product Design: Practical Methods for the Systematic Development of New Products. Cheltenham, UK: Nelson Thornes, 2002.
³⁰“Product design.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 6 Aug 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_design>.
³¹“Become a Professional in Animation.” Design Training. 30 Nov 2010. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.design-training.com/computer-animation/>.
³²Hopson, Ben. “Kinetic Design and the Animation of Products.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. Core77. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/kinetic_design_and_the_animation_of_products_by_ben_hopson_12642.asp>.

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