I have just started a new animation project using a computer program called Animation:Master. I first used this program way back in 1994 and last used it in 1998. That was three computers ago and my animation from that time has found its way to computer heaven never to be seen again.

I was inspired to install the program on my present computer following a visit to the Martin Hash’s Animaton:Master web site last week. I was pleased to see that not only was the program still available but it has grown in scope over the intervening years.

I am using a version that I purchased in 1997 so it does not have anywhere near as many functions as today’s program but the basic modelling and animation functions are there. The recommended operating system for my copy of Amimation:Master is Windows 95 and NT so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it works on Windows XP. Just to be sure I have set it to run in “compatibility mode” for Windows 95.

Amimation:Master project window

Having got the program running I decided to do a bit of character modelling. That is when I realised that in my twelve year absence I had forgotten what buttons and keys to press to get things working, so it was just like starting over. There is an old saying that if all else fails read the instruction manual. It starts with a simple exercise of building a candle so that is where I began.

The modelling tools are similar in operation to a vector drawing program such as CorelDraw. You add lines by clicking the start and end points, building up the shape with multiple points. Then comes the clever bit, when you have your basic outline you click on a “lathe” button and it turns your outline into a 3D shape.

The candlestick has four separate components; the candle holder, the candle, the wick and the flame. As you create the parts you can add colour by selecting from a pallet. You can also add surface attributes such as shininess, called ‘specularity’ in the program and brightness, called ‘ambiance’.

Candle exercise. The final render

At any point you can do a final render to see the finished version. One difference I noticed from the computer that I was using twelve years ago is the speed of the final render. The picture of my simple candle model appeared almost instantly whereas it used to take several seconds.

This little test run has inspired me to carry on learning the program so I will keep you posted on how I get on. If you have tried computer animation then let us have your thoughts in a comment to this post.

Note: click on the pictures to see a larger version.

Windows Movie Maker is software for creating and editing video movies and is included in Microsoft Windows. The feature that makes it a useful tool for novice animators is the ability to add single pictures and play them back as a movie. You can also add sound effects and music and export your finished work to a move in WMV or AVI format.

The first step is to open the program:
1. From the Start menu, click All Programs.
2. Click Windows Movie Maker.

Windows Movie Maker interface

Set the frame rate by going to Tools > Options > Advanced > Default durations. A default duration is assigned to each picture s it is added to the storyboard or timeline. The shortest duration that can be set is 0.125 seconds. This will give a frame rate of 8 frames per second. This gives a reasonably smooth result and is ideal for a novice to try their hand at animation.

The next thing is to import some pictures. For my first try I imported the sequence of stills that I took on my digital still camera and imported into the computer using the leads supplied by the manufacturer. You could also use a webcam to add pictures.

There are two methods of working; storyboard and timeline. The storyboard setting is good for adding individual pictures. The timeline view can be used for adding music and sound effects to synchronise with the pictures.

You can drag and drop your pictures onto the storyboard. There is a large preview window above the storyboard where you can view your pictures as a movie. You can add or remove individual frames. For example, after my sequence of pictures I added the same pictures in reverse order. This made the objects return to their original position. I repeated the sequence a few times to make a ten second sequence.

Music can be added by importing a tune of your choice and using drag and drop to add it to the audio timeline. Then click the play button and you see your movie with music.

Windows Movie Maker enables you to do other useful things like adding titles with various effects. I called my test movie “Office Desk” and chose the “Typewriter” animation effect to add it one letter at a time.

If your computer runs Windows it is well worth giving Movie Maker a try, especially as it is available at no extra cost.