Free web page graphic and photoshop tutorials.

by Kelly Richardson
Animation School Review Columnist

There are a variety of animation programs on the Web and in the stores with rich features and hefty price tags. But what you might not know is that you can download many of these software titles and try them on a trial basis, or even for free!

Free Animation Programs

The worst mistake a beginning animator can make is to spend a bunch of money on the latest and greatest animation program, only to find that the program doesn’t suit his or her needs. Don’t let this happen to you. Here’s a partial list of some popular animation programs that you can download for free, use on a trial basis, or test drive with limited functionality.

1. Adobe AfterEffects. This animation program, created by tech powerhouse Adobe, features rich motion graphics and visual effects for film and media. Adobe offers a free trial for this title.
2. Animator-9 3.6. This free download from Key Technologies allows you to make animated GIFs from your digital camera. This is the perfect program to bring your still action shots to life.
3. AniS 1.0. Creator Tom Whitaker offers this free animation program for simple image manipulations for the web. It’s the perfect partner for those animators testing the web design waters.
4. Jumpwel. Another free animation program from Phildes, Jumpwel is a basic object manipulator for use in HTML that uses Java applets. A great introduction to the Java programming language.

These animation program downloads are available on the publishers’ web sites and come with certificates of authenticity.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

by Kelly Richardson
Animation School Review Columnist

The key to success in the animation business is staying on top of the latest trends in the industry. Moving animation has grown up since its inception. Here’s what some of the flagship companies are bringing to the table.

The roots of moving animation date back to the days of 2D images and clicking frames, and while the concept has been refined very little, the ways in which moving animation is being utilized continues to diversify. From cell phones to video games, animation pros never cease to amaze us with their newest and biggest creations.

MovingAnimation: Here and Now

Moving animation is appearing in the most unexpected places…

• Mobile Devices. Including such must-have business and entertainment devices as the PDA and cell phone, moving animation enriches applications.
• On the Big Screen. Animation giants Disney and Pixar have consistently shown the world how far the cartoon envelope can be pushed.
• Highways & Bi-ways. Motion animation has also found its way onto the billboards of our highway system in a collection of futuristic advertisements.

The Future of Moving Animation As we look out towards the horizon, moving animation applications will only continue to expand. Here are some of the newest trends to be on the lookout for.

• Healthcare. Moving animation images can illustrate body processes.
• Science. Animation sequences can display flight and migration patterns.
• Education. Students will utilize moving animation in every subject area.

The moving animation industry has the potential to lead the way to a more educated, healthier, and better society.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

by Kelly Richardson
Animation School Review Columnist

The Microsoft PowerPoint application has become the standard for public speaking and education. Here’s a style guide for using the animation tools included in the program without turning off your audience.

PowerPointAnimation Guide

For the better part of seventeen years, the PowerPoint display program has been included in the Microsoft Office Suite. Despite an inauspicious beginning, PowerPoint has fast become an industry standard. PowerPoint offers a wide variety of animations to help add pizzazz and focus to your presentation.

These guidelines will help you to make the most judicious use of PowerPoint animation tools:

• Less is More. Always be sparing with your inclusion of animation. A well placed image here or there will provide a rich visual for your audience.
• Stay Static. Try to avoid moving animations. Stick to static images, including photos, charts, graphs, and other imagery that distills information.
• Pertinence. If you must entertain, you should also enlighten. Make sure each PowerPoint animation has a reason for being included in your slides.

PowerPointAnimation Resources

If your PowerPoint abilities aren’t as sharp as you’d like, a wealth of training resources are available to help you meet your particular learning needs.

• Online Class. Online Microsoft certification classes meet complex scheduling needs.
• Classroom Training. If you prefer the human touch of an actual professor, there are a variety of in-class training options.

Selective use of PowerPoint animations will accomplish two crucial goals. First, it can help keep you audience engaged, and second, it can convey your thoughts clearly and succinctly.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

by Kelly Richardson
Animation School Review Columnist

You know you want to attend a computer animation school. But do you need to personal attention of the classroom setting? Or would you prefer the freedom of a distance learning format? With some programs, you can experience both styles.

Computer Animation School Options

Since the introduction of online classes in the computer animation field, colleges and business schools have taken great strides in addressing a variety of student needs. Students who prefer the classroom setting can complete their degree on campus. For those who prefer self-directed study, online options exist. And colleges are also recognizing the remaining student population who prefer a combination of the two via hybrid instruction.

Here’s an overview of the three delivery formats:

• On Campus. Animation classes are delivered by an instructor in a physical classroom setting. Onsite computers offer the latest in animation technology.
• Online. Classes are delivered via virtual classroom. You’ll log in when it’s convenient for you and submit your projects via email for critique.
• Hybrid. Combines both on campus and online delivery. Projects are completed at home. You’ll go to campus on pre-selected dates for classroom instruction.

The cost of computer animation school programs will vary by type of delivery. For example, online classes exclude a number of campus fees that you might otherwise be forced to pay (parking, housing, etc).

Decide What’s Important to You

Examine your academic history to determine what type of training is best for you. The way you performed in high school, which is campus-based, should give you some idea of how you respond to a more structured program.

If you feel confident enough to go it alone, online and hybrid computer animation schools might suit your needs.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

by Kelly Richardson
Animation School Review Columnist

GIF, or graphics interchange format, offers a palette of up to 256 distinct colors from the 24-bit RGB color space. Its convenient portability and support capabilities make it the ‘go-to’ animation process for World Wide Web builders.

Created by CompuServe in 1987, GIF animation has become an industry standard for those animators looking to produce sharp-edged line art. This animation process supports a ‘frames’ approach to design, making it ideal for sequences light on image detail.

GIFAnimation Usage

While it has its limitations, GIF animation is still one of the preferred formats for web pages and streaming media.

• Best Applications. GIF animation is perfect for small animations, low resolution clips, and limited color designs such as business logos.
• Downloading. Because the compressed GIF file requires a lengthier download time, uncompressed bitmap images are frequently used instead.
• Digital Photos. JPEG images are used over GIF files for digital photography, due to the limitations of color distinction with GIF animation.

Benefits of GIF

There are two major reasons why GIF animations are still a favorite of web design professionals for certain projects.

• Repeating. GIFs are repeatable and reusable. They download only once and can be placed in multiple locations on your page.
• Available. Anyone can create GIF files and put them on a web page, as all Windows operating systems support this function.

Try your hand at GIF animation today. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can pick it up, as well as the functionality of this web design standard.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.