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The Computer Animator's Technical Handbook

  • 1st Edition - August 7, 2001
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Lynn Pocock, Judson Rosebush
  • Language: English

This is a complete, in-depth reference that will be of enormous value to anyone in the computer animation field-from students to established professionals to the many traditional… Read more

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Description

This is a complete, in-depth reference that will be of enormous value to anyone in the computer animation field-from students to established professionals to the many traditional animators who find themselves drawn to the computer-based world. The Computer Animator's Technical Handbook distinguishes itself by giving full attention to the motion that defines animation (as opposed to the modeling that produces the still image) and the often-neglected production processes that make it possible. The work of two widely recognized computer animation experts, this book is destined to become the standard reference for professionals throughout the industry and a popular text in classrooms.

Key features

* Introduces basic concepts, explores advanced issues, and provides detailed coverage of everything in between* Designed to allow readers to follow its explanations on either of two levels: a general level that outlines key concepts and an advanced level that gives readers a complete understanding of the topic* Covers every aspect of time-based imagery and media: film, video, production processes, traditional animation, Kinematics, Dynamics, and much more* Software-independent in its coverage, and thus assured to appeal to the largest possible audience* Filled with full-color illustrations, many the work of industry leaders

Readership

Computer graphics programmers, animators

Table of contents

A Note from the Series EditorBrian A. Barsky, University of California, BerkeleyForewordGlenn Entis, Electronic ArtsPrefaceIntroductionChapter 1 - Digital PicturesProgression of Dimensionsand Coordinate SystemsDigital Images2D Computer Imaging3D Computer ModelingChapter 2 - Anatomy of TimeTimeRepresenting Time in WordsContinuous and Discrete TimeMedia: Recording Time-Based EventsNormalized and Center-Unity TimeAbsolute and Relative TimeNested, Local, and Global TimeFundamental Temporal OperationsChapter 3 - The Science of Moving PicturesThe Search for TerminologyMediaFundamentals of Lensed ImagingRecording and PlaybackContinuous and Discrete RepresentationPersistence of VisionStroboscope PrinciplesAliasing and Anti-AliasingChapter 4 - The Mechanics of FilmThe Photographic CameraPhotographic (Film) MediaCyclic Motion Picture Recording and ProjectionRoll Media Recording and ProjectionThe Shuttle and Intermittent Movement of MediaCamera MovementThe Moving Picture ProjectorSystem ResolutionChapter 5 - The Electronics of VideoThe Principles of Raster ScanningElectronic Output DisplaysElectronic Image Input DevicesElectronic Television StandardsRaster Images, Fields, Interlacing, and the Video ShutterVideo Waveform StructureVideo Time CodeColorHigh-Definition TelevisionVideo Formats, Recording Technologies, and Defining CharacteristicsChapter 6 - Digital Temporal ImagingDigital ImagingDigital Input and Output DevicesThe Frame Buffer and Color Lookup TableThe Virtual CameraBandwidthFormal Aspects of Digital ImagesPixel Aspect RatioCompressionDesktop and Streaming VideoDigital MediaChapter 7 - Intermixing MediaIssues of Preference—Film versus VideoConversions Between MediaProduction FlowChapter 8 - Animation Methods and ToolsFields and Field GuidesSafetiesRegistration SystemsThe Animation StandCutouts and the Slash SystemPan and Scan: Zooms, Pans, SpinsScalingxAnimating on TwosStaggersColor Table AnimationScratchonShape DefinitionMorphingOnionskinning3D Animation MethodsThe Integration of Two and Three Dimensions in Computer AnimationChapter 9 - The Cel SystemCel AnimationAction TechnologiesComputer-Mediated Cel AnimationCel ProductionChapter 10 - Motion Pathways, Key Frame Animation, and EasingSome Basic DefinitionsMotion PathwaysStraight-Ahead AnimationKey Frame AnimationEasingChapter 11 - Kinematic Motion and MechanismsLinks, Joints, and ChainsThe Kinematic ModelForward KinematicsInverse KinematicsConstraintsChapter 12 - Dynamic and Behavioral ModelingForce and DynamicsThe Basics of ForceRelevant TermsTypes of ForceBehavioral SystemsDynamics and Computer Animation ProgramsChapter 13 - Digital Special EffectsNon-Real-Time Live ActionOptical EffectsThe Optical BenchMotion ControlMotion GraphicsTracking SystemsDigital EffectsChapter 14 - Animation LanguagesThe Language of Moving PicturesThe Languages of Computer AnimationChapter 15 - The Production ProcessPreproductionProductionPostproductionProduction Staffing ModelAfterwordRecommended ReadingIndexArt CreditsAbout the Authors

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: August 7, 2001
  • Language: English

About the authors

LP

Lynn Pocock

Lynn Pocock is an artist and an Associate Professor of Fine Arts and Coordinator of Computer Graphics at New York Institute of Technology. Her art and research have been published in scholarly journals such as Leonardo and The Art Journal. Pocock has been exhibited internationally, including at the New York Film and Video Expo, the London International Film Festival, and SIGGRAPH's Animation Theater and Art Show. She is Vice Chair of the NYC SIGGRAPH Board of Directors and the Conference Chair of the SIGGRAPH 2001 conference in Los Angeles.

Affiliations and expertise
New York Institute of Technology, U.S.A.

JR

Judson Rosebush

Judson Rosebush is a director and producer of multimedia products and computer animation, an author, artist and media theorist. He completed his first computer animations in 1970 and founded Digital Effects Inc. in 1978, the first digital computer animation company in New York City. Rosebush is the co-author of Computer Graphics for Designers and Artists, published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., and co-author of Electronic Publishing on CD-ROM, published by O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. He has exhibited his computer generated drawings and films in numerous museum shows, and the drawings have been reproduced in hundreds of magazines and books, prompting speaking engagements as a national ACM lecturer.

Affiliations and expertise
Judso Rosebush Company, New York, U.S.A.