AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Patrick     CAMPUS
MEDA 202
2D Computer Animation
Semester 2   2006
Lecturer : Shiralee Saul
Room : M3.88
Phone : 99533200
Email : shiraleesaul@westnet.com.au
Credit points:   10
Prerequisites: Nil

 

Description & objectives :
This unit introduces the study of 2D computer-generated animation. Through the course of twelve weeks, participants will examine a range of concepts and fundamental skills relevant to the production of short animation exercises and projects. These will cover scripting and pre-production documents, image and sound production, key animation concepts and craft-skills.

By the end of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Understand the terminology, principles and processes of 2D computer-generated animation.
  2. Execute a range of project-based exercises using animation software applications.
  3. Analyse and interpret contemporary and historical examples of two-dimensional animation.
  4. Create short 2D computer-generated animations.

This unit aims to develop a knowledge of 2D computer-animation skills required to use the computer programme 'Macromedia Flash' in conjunction with other graphics and soundFX programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Through the production of short exercises, the principles of animation design will be examined including; bitmap and vector animation, character development, walk cycles and loops, sound synchronisation, rotoscoping, keyframe 'tweening,  etc. In addition, these projects will include the process of importing and exporting images and animated sequences, concept development, creation and development of production documents such as scripts and storyboards.

Week

Lecture Content

Tutorial/Assessment

22/7

 

Theory: Overview of contemporary animation

REF : ABC Strange Attractors: Australian Animation Showcase
REF : SBS World Tales
REF :: del.icio.us Links

Practical: Resolution and formats: Image searching on the Internet

Assessment Exercise #1:   Rotoscoping   & GIF Animation (ImageReady) >>

Assessment Assignment #4: script and storyboard 1-3 minute animation >>

29/7

Theory:   Muybridge and the History of Animation.
REF : Persistence of Vision SS -- history and principles of animation. Includes hints for minimizing web animations.

Practical: Walk cycles, Timing and exporting GIF animation
PDF REF :: The Walk Cycle part 1 >> part 2 >>

Complete exercise #1:

4/8

Theory:   Landscape and background concepts
Practical:   Introduction to Flash: Drawing tools, Properties inspector, using Layers

PDF REF :: Using Macromedia FlashMX: a mini-manual of all Flash basics PDF >>
PDF REF :: The Flash Toolbar >>
PDF REF :: Tool Bar pic >>
REF :: Learning to Draw in Macromedia Flash MX >>

Assessment Exercise #2: Creating movies and loops >> Part a: Importing a GIF animation and creating a background image

Cat Gif (for emergencies..)

11/8

Practical: Motion Tweening: The Library, Creating and using symbols: Importing bitmap images: Replace Bitmaps frame by frame: Trace bitmap - vectorising existing art: Onion skinning.

PDF REF :: Basics of Flash Animation >>
PDF REF: Using Symbols in Flash >>
PDF REF :: Flash Symbols basic Concepts>>

Assessment Exercise #2: Part b; Using the Timeline and Keyframes

18/8
 

Theory: Principles of Animation
Squash and Stretch: Easing: Scale object in motion tween: Animate colour and transparency: Exporting and viewing animations

REF : Squash and Stretch
REF : Animation in Macromedia Flash: Squash and Stretch
REF : Flash Animation 14: Gravity, Squash, and Stretch

Assessment Exercise #2: Part c; Creating and adding other movie symbols. Class presentation.

25/8

Using text in Flash animations: Shape tweening and motion paths

REF :: Flash Tweenings : SHAPE TWEEN
REF :: Timeline Shape Tween in Flash MX 2004
 REF :: Shape tweening techniques
REF :: Motion Guide in Flash MX 2004
REF :: Flash Tweenings : MOTION GUIDE TWEEN
REF :: Flash Tutorial: Revolving Text
REF :: Flash Tutorial: Typewriter
REF :: Flash Tutorial: Alpha/Onion Skin FX with Text

Assessment Assignment #4 due

Assessment Exercise #3: Producing a title sequence for your animatic -- Animating text and images using motion and shape 'tweens and motion guides.

1/9

Theory: Project management and Production cycles.

 

8/9

Using Motion Paths

Complete exercise #3

15/9

Sound,: using atmospheric and spot SoundFX

REF :: Adding Sound

Assessment Assignment #5; create 3-5 minute animatic

22/9

Additional timeline effects + Using masks and shape tweens

Develop Assignment #5

25/9 - 1/9

Recess

 

6/10

Optimising and fine-tuning Flash Movies

Complete and export Assessment Assignment #5

13/10

Class Presentation Assignment #5

Assignment #5 due

Study - 16/10
Exams - 23/10
Exams - 30/10
Exams - 6/11

 

Photoshop Tutorials

Reading List + Resources

Typography, by John Magnik http://www.typography-1st.com/typo/txt-lay.htm
Introduction to Graphic design (scanning, image resolution, colour, typography) PDF

Project management
Project documents
Animations Shiralee's del.icio.us links
Flash REF : Flash MX 2004 Movie Tutorials -- visually guides you through the basics
REF : Entheos -- Tutorials cover basics of Flash MX 2004 incl. timeline effects, animations and Flash programming. Tutorials include a live demo .swf and download .fla files. (beginner)
REF : Kirupa.com -- basic flash drawing and animation tutorials