Animation Class(Be sure to post your replies and comments following this article)

This is a 'basic' survey course in software , hardware and computer animation vocabulary.  It is preferred that students possess some 'basic' understanding of animation terminology and have 'some' Photoshop to provide personal experience for contribution as a team of learners.  Major content is listed below and feel free to comment on each item listed (as bullet points).

• In class lessons/examples/labs and exercises (4 projects total)
  
• Online and 'Help' tutorials (answering your original ideas/directions)
  
• Research and classroom contribution (provide opportunity to formulate a direction)
  
• Understanding of various courses of study and potential careers (skills necessary)
  

We'll cover the following softwares and exercises over the course of the next 7 weeks.

Photoshop:

Image editing software for producing layers for animation purposes.

We plan to cover:

• Resolution, File Size, File Types (.psd/native, .jpg/compressed and .gif/for web)
• Layers and basic tools for drawing and color addition
  
• Scanning / Resolution 
• Layers / Building depth and allowing for control (manipulation) of objects

Flash:

Simple animation software along with providing expert tools for website interaction

• Benefits: Toolbox, 'Tweening', Layers, Exporting (movies and interactive websites)
• Drawbacks: Complicated aspects for ActionScript (for interaction)

We plan to cover: 

• Shapes vs. Objects (basic painting tools)
• Vector files, Bezier Curves (and the pen tool) and Motion Paths
• Keyframes (inserting keyframes, position, rotation, color and opacity)
• Motion 'Tweens' (=vid0124 tutorial)
• Importing to Libraries (various file types)
  
• Testing your .swf (Command + Return) and 'fps' (frames per second)
• Easing in and out

AfterEffects:

Simple animation software allows for importing of various files (eg. .psd/image file layers, .ill/graphic and logo layers).

• Benefits: Puppet tool, Direct Insert into software, Style Filters similar to Photoshop
  
• Drawbacks: Poor paintbox, Export is only for Quicktime (.mov)

We plan to cover:

• Layers and file types
  
• Puppet Tool
  
• Adding sound, music and sound effects using GarageBand
  
• Publishing to the web (requires use of YouTube/online email account necessary)
  
• May additionally utilize I-Movie for 'downsizing' .mov files for effective broadcast.

Two animations shown in class (using After Effects, Photoshop, and GarageBand):

Animation 1: "The Slide" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUYruRmCMWc

Animation 2: "Alien vs. Pyro" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hkw7cZ1Is8&feature=related