Terms and Definitions

A

Algorithm - The term algorithm (pronounced AL-go-rith-um) is a procedure or formula for solving a problem.

Animation - Animation can be a set of graphic images that may be displayed quickly as a series of frames or a set of objects (or "characters")

Authoring - The process of designing a program.

B

Bit - Binary digit: the smallest unit (value either 0 or 1) of computer data.

Bit depth - The number of colors a screen can display. 8-bit = 256 colors, 24-bit = millions of colors

Bitmap - A computer graphic image comprised of dots of color that correspond directly to data bits stored in memory.

Byte - A set of bits considered as a unit of information in the computer.

C

CD-ROM - A circular disk that can hold around 650 megabytes of data. Information on a CD is read-only.

Cel Animation - Cel animation is based on a series of frames or cels in which the object is redrawn in each consecutive cel to depict motion. Typically, the background is held constant as the object moves. You could have more than one object move against a fixed background.

Compression - Compression is the reduction in size of data in order to save space or transmission time. For data transmission, compression can be performed on just the data content or on the entire transmission unit (including header data) depending on a number of factors.

D

Drawing Programs - Drawing Programs are programs to create vector graphics. Example : Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand.

F

Font - A style of type such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana.

G

GIF - The GIF (the original and preferred pronunciation is DJIF; it stands for Graphics Interchange Format) is one of the two most common file formats for graphic images on the World Wide Web. The other is the JPEG

Graphics - Graphics may include a drawing/illustration, photograph, diagrams, cartoons or graphs.

H

Hard Disk - Permanent storage is used to keep digitized information for future retrieval and use. Multimedia requires huge amounts of storage during both the development and application stages. Many multimedia products require storage on a CD-ROM.

I

Image Editing - Image Editing Programs are useful for making changes to existing images, such as manipulating the brightness or contrast, or applying textures or patterns.

J

JPEG - JPEG (usually pronounced JAY-pehg) is a term for any graphic image file produced by using a JPEG standard. Standards developed by Joint Photographic Experts Groups based on compression of still images. A JPEG file is created by choosing from a range of compression qualities (actually, from one of a suite of compression algorithms). When you create a JPEG or convert an image from another format to a JPEG, you are asked to specify the quality of image you want. Since the highest quality results in the largest file, you can make a trade-off between image quality and file size.

L

Linear animation (2D) - Simple movement of objects on the screen, generally through linear translation.

M

Modeling - 3D modeling involves defining the shape and physical characteristics of an object which will be created in three dimensions. The most common modeling techniques are wireframe and solid object modeling

Morphing - Type of animation in which interpolations between specified points on two or more images are create a transitional effect. Give the illusion that the first image is changing into the last one

Multimedia - Multimedia is the bringing together of text, graphics, animation, video, audio and interactivity within the confines of a computer screen.

O

Onion Skinning - Onion Skinning is used in the process of creating cel animations. It allows you to see a faint outline of the previous cel so you can draw the changes for the next cel.

P

Paint Programs - Paint programs are programs to create bitmaps. Are useful in creating original art, because they provide the tools. (brushes, pens, spray paint) used by artists.

Path Animation - Path Based animation is the simplest form of animation and the easiest to learn. It moves an object along a predetermined path on the screen. The path could be a straight line or it could include any number of curves. Often the object does not change, although it might be resized or reshaped.

Pixel - The smallest unit of a computer screen. It can range from black and white to millions of colors (see "bit depth"). The more colors available for a pixel to display, the more bytes requires. Screens are formatted in pixels per inch, such as 72 pixels/inch.

R

Raster graphics - Raster graphics are digital images created or captured (for example, by scanning in a photo) as a set of samples of a given space. A raster is a grid of x and y coordinates on a display space. (And for three-dimensional images, a z coordinate.) A raster image file identifies which of these coordinates to illuminate in monochrome or color values. The raster file is sometimes referred to as a bitmap because it contains information that is directly mapped to the display grid. A raster file is usually larger than a vector graphics image file. A raster file is usually difficult to modify without loss of information, although there are software tools that can convert a raster file into a vector file for refinement and changes. Examples of raster image file types are: BMP, TIFF, GIF, and JPEG files.

Rendering - Rendering is the final step in creating 3D animation and involves giving objects attributes such as colors, surface textures, and degrees of transparency.

S

Software - Information such as computer programs, data and hypermedia programs stored in digital form. Software controls hardware to make the computer perform certain functions.

T

Tweening - Tweening is a method where the first cel of an animation and the last cel of animation are selected and the animation program calculates all the cells in between.

V

Vector - Vector graphics represent an image as a geometric shape made up of straight lines, ovals, curves, and arcs. Vector graphics are the creation of digital images through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a given two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.

W

Warping - Warping is a related special effect that allows you to manipulate a single image. For example, you could stretch a facial feature to change a frown into a smile.

Resources and Links

WhatIs: A link to technology definitions to help you navigate the graphics and animation universe.

History of Animation: A fantastic article by Dan McLaughlin.

The artist, Keith Haring, provides an excellent resource for teaching k-12 students about art and animation.