Concepts and Methods Used to Create Digital Animation

Frame-Based-Animation

A series of individual still frames that create the illusion of animation when viewed continuously, each frame has slight changes in position from the previous frame.

Symbol

An object stored in the library of a project that can be quickly accessed and used repeatedly throughout the animation.

3D Animation Software

Animates complex, life-like 3D models that interact with an artificial environment (Example: Cinema4D, 3D Studio Max, or Maya).

2D Animation Software

Animates relatively simple drawings or graphics on a 2-D canvas (Example: Adobe Flash or Animate).

Tween

Animation process that occurs between keyframes.

Claymation Clay

Characters or moquettes moved in small increments between still photographs.

Stop Motion Animation

Cinematic process, or technique used to make static objects appear as if they were moving, commonly used in Claymation and puppet-based animation.

Library

Collection of graphics, audio, and video files utilized in a particular animation project.

.SWC

Contain the project Adobe Animate components, including a compiled movie clip, Action-Script code, and any assets that the component requires.

.SWF

Formerly standard animation format for use on the Internet, can support frame-based or vector animation, supports ActionScript coding, allowing for user interactivity.

Storyboard

Graphic representations such as a series of illustrations or sketches displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture or animation.

Rotoscope

Involves careful tracing of individual frames in recorded video.

.FLA

Native project file used by Adobe Flash which preserves the project's layers, scenes, and library for future editing.

Anchor Point

Rotation axis of an animated spinning object.

Paper Cut-Out Animation

Similar to claymation, but with cut out shapes.

Keyframe

Specified place in the animation where change occurs.

Frame

Still image that creates animation when viewed in succession.

Animated .GIF

Supports only frame-based animation, simplest way to display short animation clips, commonly used for web, only animation format that cannot play audio.

Digital Animation

The illusion of movement of graphics and/or text.

Alpha

Transparency value of object in animation; normally used to make an object gradually fade in or fade out.

Shape Tween

Used to make an object gradually morph or change shape.

Motion Tween

Used to make an object smoothly transition from a defined starting position to a defined ending position.

Scene

Used to separate different parts of an animation to make editing and playback easier to organize.

Vector Animation

Uses computer generated formulas to make objects in the animation move along a path, utilizes tweens between keyframes.

3D Animation

Uses three dimensions of movement, has more depth and realistic appearance.

2D Animation

Uses two dimensions of movement in animation, has a flat look in appearance.

.FLV

Video format that uses the Adobe Flash Player code for playback, common format for embedded video on the internet.