Lesson 2 - Web Content * Animation & Audio * VIDEO

Definition Animation is a sequence of frames that, when played in order at sufficient speed, presents a smoothly moving image like a film or video.

2D Animation 2D animation is the creation of moving pictures in a two-dimensional environment. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps. Two types of 2D animation : –Cel animation : based on changes that occur from one frame to the next –Path animation : moves an object along a predetermined path on the screen

Cel Animation & Path Animation Cel Animation Path Animation

3D Animation 3D animation is animating objects that appear in a three-dimensional space. They can be rotated and moved like real objects. The process of creating 3D computer graphics can be sequentially divided into three basic phases : –Modeling : the process of forming the shape of an object –Animation : defining the objects motion –Rendering : the process of generating an image from a model, by means of computer programs.

Modeling and Rendering

Animation Special Effects Morphing : a transformation of images. It is used in many animations and movies to warp a first image into a second image. Warping : the process of digitally manipulating an image such that any shapes portrayed in the image have been significantly distorted.

Morphing

Warping

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Animation Animation captures the imagination like no other tool, portraying actions and spatial relationships that are not readily visible in reality or that may not exist at all. Advantages –Attracts and holds attention –Show otherwise invisible actions or physical processes –Increases retention –Allows visualization of imagined concepts, objects and relationship Disadvantages –Requires extensive memory and storage space –Requires special equipment for a quality presentation –2D animation cannot depict actuality like video or photography

Sound Sound is a rapid vibrations that are transmitted as variations in air pressure. Described in terms of two characteristics : –Frequency (or pitch) –Amplitude distance along wave

Calculating The Size of Digital Audio The formula is as follows: The answer will be in bytes Where: –Sampling rate is in Hz –Duration/time is in seconds –Resolution is in bits (1 for 8 bits, 2 for 16 bits) –Number of channels = 1 for mono, 2 for stereo, etc.

Audio Formats. WAV (Developed by IBM and Microsoft).AU (UNIX).AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format).MP3 (MPEG layer 3).SND (Mac).RA (RealAudio).WMA (Windows Media Audio).VOC (SoundBlaster)

Software for Creating Audio Adobe Audition Cakewalk Pro Audio

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Audio Sound adds life to any multimedia application and plays important role in effective marketing presentations Advantages –Ensure important information is noticed –Add interest –Can communicate more directly than other medi Disadvantages –Easily overused –Requires special equipment for quality production –Not as memorable as visual media

Video Video is a sequence of photographs projected onto a screen with sufficient rapidity as to create the illusion of motion and continuity. Different kind of movies : –Analog video –Digital video

Analog Video Analog video is the process of taking an audio or video signal (the human voice) and translating it into electronic pulses. Video information that is stored using television video signals, film, videotape or other non-computer media. Problems: –Colour blending –Low clarity –Difficult to edit –Offer consumers slow access and limited control in how the product is presented.

Digital Video Digital video is breaking the signal into a binary format where the audio or video data is represented by a series of "1"s and "0"s. With their data stored on optical discs or comparable media, digital movies can offer a high degree of control to consumers. Digital movies can be readily searched, manipulated, and reformed by the consumer. A high degree of interactivity between the product and the user becomes possible.

Digital Video File Formats.MOV signifies Quicktime, an Apple standard. It is playable on Macintosh and Windows machines..AVI is a Microsoft standard that is playable on Windows and Macintosh machines..MPEG (.MPG) is playable on Unix and Windows machines. Macintoshes can play MPEG, but may have trouble with the audio track..RM files are used by RealNetworks streaming. They are playable on Windows, MacOS, and Unix computers..ASF files are a Microsoft streaming format, and play on Windows, MacOS, and Solaris..WMV files are a Microsoft format used in Microsoft MovieMaker

How Video Can Be Used Effectively Showing physical procedures. Some uses are : –Installing a board in a PC –Adjusting engine timing Attracting and holding attention. Some uses are : –Advertising products and services –Teaching new skills to busy employees Presenting scenarios. Some uses are : –Training technicians to respond to equipment malfunctions –Demonstrating possible uses for a product Analyzing motion. Some uses are : –Body motion to improve athletic performance –Traffic patterns for transportation planning

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Video Carefully planned, well-executed video clips can make a dramatic difference in a multimedia project Video adds visual impact to multimedia applications : –Advantages Captures interest Increase retention Clarifies complex physical actions and relationships Can incorporate other media –Disadvantages Is expensive to produce Requires extensive memory and storage Requires special equipment Does not effectively illustrate abstract concepts and static situations

Good Interaction Design To improve the usability of an application it is important to have a well designed interface. Ben Shneiderman's "Eight Golden Rules of Interface Design" : –Strive for consistency –Enable frequent users to use shortcuts –Offer informative feedback –Design dialog to yield closure –Offer simple error handling –Permit easy reversal of actions –Support internal locus of control –Reduce short-term memory load

Design Tools CAI software : Macromedia Authorware, IconAuthor, Quest. Multimedia construction tools : HyperCard, Macromedia Director, Macromedia Flash. Slide presentation software : Microsoft PowerPoint. Visual programming tools : Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual Studio.NET), Borland Delphi. Web design tools : Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Fireworks.

Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design Jakob Nielsen's Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design : –Using Frames –Gratuitous Use of Bleeding-Edge Technology –Scrolling Text, Marquees, and Constantly Running Animations –Complex URLs –Orphan Pages –Long Scrolling Pages –Lack of Navigation Support –Non-Standard Link Colors –Outdated Information –Overly Long Download Times