Motions and Animation

1. Motions and Animation CS 110 – Honors Slides by Wanda Dann, Ithaca College

2. Composite Objects • In the previous lecture, we established that many objects are composites

3. First-class By default, an object is first-class

4. Object Parts • Object Parts are not first-class

5. Motion and First-Class Status • A first-class object • can be selected and moved by the mouse cursor • can be animated with commands (instructions) • Parts (not first-class) • cannot be individually selected and moved by the mouse cursor • but, can be animated with commands

6. Changing Status • A part can be made first class by checking IsFirstClass in the pop-up menu

7. Mouse vs. Command Motions • Mouse is used to • set up the initial scene • approximately position objects in the scene • Commands are used to • obtain specific alignments • position one object relative to another object • use instructions that are not available on the menus • moveTo • turnTo • place

8. Levitation • Be cautious about un-intended levitations: • moving parts of objects independent of the composite object can cause the part to disconnect from the body • positioning objects without making sure they are in contact with one another can result in objects just floating around in the air

9. Creating Animations • A 4-step process • define the background of the setting • determine the objects and parts needed • position the objects in the initial scene • supply a list of instructions to perform the animated task • Corresponds to the problem-solving process used in any programming language

10. A First Example • Task: Create an animation of a rabbit walking towards a butterfly. • Opening Scene: • default world (green grass, blue sky) • Objects: • rabbit, butterfly

11. Initial Scene

12. Animation Script • Will develop in class.