Animation Questions

Below are questions to test your knowledge and understanding of Animation.

Before you continue, make sure you have studied the theory by clicking the links below.

Animation

File Types

Transitions

Questions

Question 1

Animation techniques are used in the production of animated movies. a. Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of using motion capture technology. (4 marks)

Answers

a. 1 mark for each advantage, with a maximum of two marks available. 1 mark for each disadvantage, with a maximum of two marks available.Advantages:

Motion capture records the position and movement of humans accurately
The data captured can be edited to create unique movements and character traits
Motion capture allows for rapid/real-time results to be achieved
It creates a realistic animation that will make the video appear more life-like

Disadvantages:

Motion capture is a costly process to set up or outsource to specialist teams
Motion capture requires the use of experienced and trained actors to get the correct movements
A vast amount of data is provided so it requires specialist animators to be able to manage post-processing requirements

Question 2

A company has produced a new stop-frame animation app aimed at young people. a. Describe two advantages of stop frame animation for the user. (2 marks)b. Describe two disadvantages of stop frame animation for the user (2 marks)

Answers

Stop frame animation is easy to understand/pick up for inexperienced users of animation techniques
Stop frame animation can be done on a range of media devices with camera capabilities, making it accessible
Stop frame animation doesn’t require specialist hardware/ software, making it appealing to new users

Stop frame can be challenging to achieve due to the small, accurate movements that need to be made
Stop frame animation can be very time-consuming. Resulting in the target market losing interest
The user may struggle to get the lighting/ setup correct, which will result in a poor-quality video

Question 3

To support customers assembling the coffee siphon, a motion tweening animation was created and saved as an .mpeg file type. a. Explain, giving two reasons, why the .mpeg file type was used for the animation. (2 marks)b. Describe two advantages to the customer of using an animation rather than printed assembly instructions. (2 marks)c. Describe two methods of setting up the motion tweening animation that will assist customers in assembling the coffee syphon. (2 marks)

Answers

Along with MP4, it is the most widely used video format, so it is compatible with a wide range of devices
It produces high-quality video and audio
Even compressed video maintains the required quality
MPEG can be compressed, increasing download speed
It allows text files, such as subtitles, to be easily added
It is widely used on video-sharing websites such as YouTube
Embedded links can be included in MPEG
Language settings can be added to and changed

It is more accessible as it can be shared on various digital media
Audio instructions can be added to enhance clarity
The user can zoom in to make instructions clearer
It is easy to get access again if lost or the paper instructions become damaged
It reduces environmental impact as there is no need to print instructions
The company can create an online library to support users

Set up the correct frame rate/ number of steps in the animation to enhance the quality of movement
Set up the correct path so that the components move efficiently to their assembled positions
Set up the correct speed so that parts move more quickly or slowly into position
Choose a path that minimises the crossing or interference of parts
Choose camera positions/level of zoom that maximise clarity of part movements/part positions/ assembly details

Question 4

Computer casings and components are delivered to customers for self‑assembly at home. To support customers with self‑assembly the company provides a video. This can be downloaded onto a digital media device as an alternative to printed assembly instructions. Two screenshots from the video are shown.a. Describe four advantages for the consumer of using video over printed instructions. Assume there is a reliable Wi‑Fi/4G signal and a fully operational digital media device. (4 marks)b. Describe one advantage and one disadvantage for the consumer of using the mov file type for the animation. (2 marks)

Answers

Animations can be paused/rewound at key stages to support understanding.
User can zoom into video to make instructions clearer.
Subtitles/audio descriptions can be included to support understanding.
Subtitles can be changed to support different languages.
Mechanical animation demonstrates how the components fit together/move which may be easier to understanding than static diagrams/drawings (eg rotation of screws etc..).

b. Advantages

Can store both audio and video elements (of separate files).
Excellent for web based applications.
Can be embedded within other programs such as apps etc.
Is easily edited without having to rewrite code.
Provides high quality playback.

Disadvantages

Often requires QuickTime player to run/is not compatible across all software platforms.
Compression can result in diminished quality in some cases.
Large file sizes (due to high quality playback).

Question 5

An interactive media design team has developed a game for a mobile device. It involves assembling the character shown below, positioning him in a scene and then animating movement. a. Explain how motion capture and motion tweening could be used in the creation of the game. (4 marks)

One designer created the parts of character, another designer created the scene in the background. They used ai and png files when carrying out this work. b. Explain one benefit that each file format gives to the designers. (2 marks)The interactive media design team wants to improve the user experience.c. Explain one benefit that each file format gives to the designers. (3 marks)

Answers

a. Motion Capture (max 3 marks)

This is an accurate way to represent human movement as data can be capture from the real thing.
The animation will be more believable/better to watch/more realistic as it will match the walking and arm movements of the human body accurately.
The animator can request all required body movements and record this data.
There will no movements that are unnatural.

Motion Tweening (max 3 marks)

Simple form of animation to create an action sequence
Used to position of the character and limb positions at key points in the action sequence (software filling in in-between frames)
Allows for adjustment the frame rate/resolution to change the output
Can be edited to improve the realism/smoothness of the movements
Can be edited to add more actions into the sequence
Allows the designer/animator to control of the number of key frames required to create the required output.

b. Ai

ai. files are vector so accurate shapes can be easily created and scaled
easier to edit than equivalent raster files
smaller files size than equivalent raster files
ai. files are compatible with vector illustration software so can be edited and tweaked before being used in the game/app.

PNG

Files are small and have transparency capabilities.
raster files like png can be compressed without loss of quality.
png files are compatible with a wide range of/all graphics software.
a wider range of effects can be applied to raster (png) files like blurs/gradient fills.

c. Transitions

Transitions would be used to add interest/breaks at different points in the animation eg to move between the close up of screen shot 2 and the more distant. screen shot 3, or when moving to different camera view points.
Allows changes between scenes to be seamless.

Overlays

Overlays could be used to add more information to the animation eg speech bubbles of what the character is saying, indicators of how well the game is going eg numbers of task complete etc…

Frame Rates

By changing the frame rate the speed of the character could be altered or the quality of the game play could be increased/decreased.

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