CSC 111

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Storytelling Through Computer Animation

Assignment A20: morphing

Objectives

• Learn a 2D animation technique called morphing which, though not required, can be incorporated into your final projects

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Here is some 2D terminology:

• Each still image which is shown in rapid succession giving the illusion of movement in an animation is called a frame. 
• Key frames are frames which define the starting and ending point of a smooth transition between frames.
• Tweening is the process of automatically generating intermediate frames between two images to give the appearance that the first image evolves smoothly into the second image. 
• Tweens  are the drawings generated between the key frames which help to create the illusion of motion.

We are going to learn to use new software to make morph, which is a basically an image tween.  Today we are going to learn to use this software.  Then your will make your own morph for homework.


Step one:  Get a program and some files to use for this tutorial

1. Download and install FotoMorph from CNET: http://download.cnet.com/FotoMorph/3000-2186_4-10845768.html?tag=mncol;6#editorsreview
2. Start FotoMorph
3. Download the attached zipped folder morph.zip to a convenient folder that you can find your laptop.
4. Right-click on this folder and unzip.
5. Double-click on the file madscientist-monkey.FMP which is a project file from FotoMorp.
6. When morphing, it is important to begin with images which are exactly the same size--this should be the case if you do screenshots from Alice.  In this case they are 400 x 300 pixels.

Step two: Build the basic image tween.

1. On the projects screen, make sure the resolution of your final morph is correct--it should set to the same size as the original images, though it is okay if it is off by a pixel or two.
2. Preview your animation using the previewer arrow.  You should see the images blend and flip back and forth.

Step three: Smooth out the image tween

1. You can add source and destination points in the Control area.  (More points will smooth your morph.)
   
2. Again, click the preview button to see your animation.

Step four: Polish, save, and export.

1. You can add other animation features like moving text if you'd like.
2. On the animation tab, you can export your moph.  I recommend the avi format which can be posted and viewed on the web directly or incorporated into your final movie using MovieMaker.
3. Be sure to save your project.

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Your task: (which is to be completed individually, though consultations are encouraged...)

In this assignment, create an animated e-card  which uses 2D animation, being sure to use the following:

• Create an image morph between two images of your choosing.
• save the project as yourusername.FMP.
• Use an artists statement to explain the morph. Save the artist's statement as yourusername-A20.doc.
• Post the morph to youtube and include the link in your artist's statement file.

Put the following into a folder called yourusername-A20:

• Both original images
• yourusername.FMP.
• Yourartist's statement yourusername-A20, which must include a link to the morph you created.
• zip the folder and upload to Moodle

 

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