Bounce Animations

Three Bounce Animations

The Project's Overview

For this project, we learned the basics of frame animation and using arches to create more movement. We used Photoshop again, but this time with more layers and tools. This assignment had three parts to it, them being an up and down bounce, a sideways bounce, and our own bounce, seen at the end of this post. We were guided on the first two to let us experience it, then the final one was up to us.

The Project Process

In the up and down bounce, we first used a special brush to create the design of the grass, and had to change the preset to get it more realistic look. Next, we used the ellipse tool to create the ball, changed the opacity, and began to copy and paste it down to create the motion. Then, once at the bottom, we added in a squish, then did the previous steps in reverse. When all the layers were down, we created a frame animation, and put them in order to create the final product. The steps for the sideways bounce are similar, having the same ball and background, but with a guideline of arches to mark the path. We followed it, added in squishes, and made other areas more dense for when it slows and spacier when it speeds up. Once both were done, we converted them to both gifs and videos.

What Was Learned

We learned how to set up multiple layers of frame, and how to copy and move objects using options-drag to create the movement. Also, how to set up frame animations and how to make each frame by making different layers seen. Mr. Netterville also taught us how to use arches to make bounces and how to optimize the effect of each. For these projects, we learned shortcuts in Photoshop and were able to become more knowledgeable and comfortable with the program.

Next Time: Different 

Next time, I would focus on making all the layers more fluid and flowing. At some points, the animations seem to stutter, so I would focus more on that too. Also, for my own animation, I would find a more creative topic that didn't so closely resemble the sideways bounce. I would also find a way to make a surprise ending for it.

Next Time: Same

Next time, I would keep the general guidelines and speed of the project. Also the shapes used and how they reacted when hitting the grass. The way grass was made would be kept, too, as it gave a nice background for all the events to occur. All of the basics of it would be the same, just fine tuned in the future.

Experiences To Remember

What I'll remember from this project includes the time it takes to get every layer in place and created. I will remember how to use arches in animations and the best way to make them. Like with the previous project, I'll be sure to keep in mind how long it takes when setting up and the completing an animation, and how much effort goes into each layer for one. Since we'll most likely focus on frame animations, I'll always remember that these focus on slight changes to the frames themselves to build up the movement entirely. 

My General Response

These projects were a good way to get use to making actual animations that didn't just rely on manipulating the text but with making individual frames. The first two projects helped to to make the final one, and were all interesting to complete. Though they took multiple days, and constant trials for any noticeable mistakes, they were worth it to gain more information on the processes that go into making assignments. All of what I learned, and will continue to use, is seen below in my final bounce project.

My own bounce animation, based on the sideways version.

10 Words Animations

Ten Words

The Project's Overview

This project was to take the ten words that we decided on in graphic design and to make them into a video animation. We used Photoshop to do this by changing where the words were and their opacity. Our goal was to have the words come onto the screen within a 4 second time frame to be 5 seconds in total. The project allowed us to get a glance into what we would be doing in animation and let us to take a test run on Photoshop since beforehand, we had only used Adobe Illustrator. 

The Project Process

For this project, we first had to get the decided words in their place with our first and last names. Then, the fonts and colors were chosen to go together and depict who we were. Next came the actual animation part and setting it up to be a timeline animation. Once that was set up, we could change the position of our words and their opacity to have them appear onto the screen and move around it. After we had done this and were happy with it, we had to convert it to be a GIF that could run on computers, and blogs like this one.

What Was Learned

In this project, we had to learn basics of Photoshop and setting up animations in it. Since some controls are different than those from what we did in Graphic Design, we had to learn and get used to them. We also had to learn how to transform the words and work with their opacity within the video maker. Along with this, we also needed to figure out how the movements would work and what would look the best once presented. Then once we figured that out, we had to place it on the timeline and make all words appear before a certain limit. Once all of this was done, we were taught two different ways to render and convert the Photoshop file into a video one.

Next Time: Different

What I would do differently next time on this project would to give it more organized movement. Since this was one of the first things I had done on Photoshop, it was more trial and error than actual working on the project, I would also find a new way to lay out the word themselves for a better presentation. Most of what I would do next time just comes down to layout, movement, and how these would look together.

Next Time: Same

What I would do the same next time on this project would be to keep the variety of fonts and colors used on the words. This allowed the project to have greater depth and creativity within it, while still having the words mix easily. Also, I would keep the different movements for each one to better convey the words' meaning. I would mostly try to keep the style and color scheme the same, along with the multiple fonts.

Experiences To Remember

The experiences from this project that I will remember for all projects to come include how the layers don't always end up how or where you want them. Also, that video animations focus more on manipulated the layers themselves, and not putting them in order, so their position doesn't fully matter, but it can help to have them in some organization. I'll also be sure to remember how long it took for me to go through each layer, change it and put it on the timeline, and to make sure it all flowed correctly. The one thing that I'll always keep in mind, however, is that things will rarely end as you planned, and that's okay!

My General Response

This project was a great way to learn more of Photoshop for our future animation assignments. I enjoyed finally being able to give e9 some motion, and though it was just words, this has been one of my favorite things that we've done in class. Though at times it was repetitive and not the most interesting, it was nice to see the inner workings of some animations. Overall, this project was simple but would help us to later do more complex assignments and we benefited in many ways by doing it.