Images on this site were compressed using e-Vue MPEG4 technology in 2001, which was groundbreaking at the time for its DRM component and higher compression than JPG, however e-Vue is no more — we are transitioning these images to JPEG for 2004.
"For me, one of the best features of both programs is their ability to import Photoshop layers and retain their stacking order. This one feature allows either myself or any other artist whose work I might be animating to completely set up images within Photoshop before bringing them into the animation environment. With this workflow, Photoshop is used as an art creation as well as a layout tool, After Effects or LiveMotion is then used as an animation tool with the complete freedom to duck back into Photoshop at any time for revisions to the artwork. This set up is very fast, very efficient and allows me to provide my clients with flexibility throughout the animation process... right up to the last minute."
Self also creates high quality web animations with photographer Michael Elins, "These simple, poetic animations are designed to add life to exceptional fashion and celebrity photography when the images are viewed online. Since print and the web are clearly different mediums, Michael and I strive to differentiate between the two by creating web-specific versions of his photography rather than simply posting his print work on the internet."
An animated photo of Luke Perry which appeared on the US Magazine Web site, now archived at www.michaelelins.com. Photographed by Michael Elins with animation by Bob Self. (Used with permission.)
"One interesting project was with actor Luke Perry, which was used on the US Magazine Web site. Michael photographed the image (yes, Perry was really chained,upside down and underwater) then used a combination of layer masks and painting techniques to isolate various elements of the image so they could be animated as seperate layers. The layout was imported into Adobe LiveMotion where the layers were animated and optimized for Web delivery. A simple bubbling sound was created (by blowing air through a straw into a fast food soda cup) to add more impact to the rising bubbles."
Kevin Halfhill, of KH Design, Long Beach, California, selected Macromedia Flash for his client projects. "While we have experimented with other animation programs (Adobe LiveMotion, Macromedia Director), we've found that Flash generally offers a faster development cycle, offers more powerful scripting/actions than LiveMotion, and faster delivery times than the alternative formats (Shockwave, etc.). In most situations, Flash requires less resources on the viewer's computer than a Shockwave file, which works out well for Web delivery. Occasionally there are projects that just can't be accomplished in Flash, in which case we move to Director."
Learning to Move
Luckily, learning multimedia and Web animation has become one of the best uses for the technology itself. Companies like The Virtual Training Company (VTC) offer online courses which walk you through the steps in learning tools like LiveMotion and Flash, with both audio and video. This is ideal for those of us who prefer looking over somebody's shoulder while they work to reading a big thick book.
Learning Adobe's LiveMotion is easier with Virtual Training Company online and CD-based training courses.
Adobe has wisely partnered with VTC to offer a large number of LiveMotion introductory training videos on their Web site for free (see resources at end of article for URL).
Macomedia Flash has spawned a whole sub-culture of sites with tips, tricks, tutorials, and pre-built files. A pointer to these sites can be found at Flashzone.com and Flashplanet.com. As far as the how-to books go, I went down to my local store and bought three of them and can highly recommend the 1,300 page Flash 5 Bible by Robert Reinhardt and Jon Warren Lentz. It has wonderful tutorials on obscure things like using Rebirth to add drum beats and other wacky stuff.
What They Want
Web design and development clients continually demand bolder and more engaging content, and animation is one of the best ways to address this need.
KH Design's Halfhill concurs, "Animation has proven to be a powerful tool for engaging a viewer's interest. Whether it is a button, splash intro, or an entire user interface, we've found that animation really grabs the reader's attention and focuses it where we want. When implemented properly, our clients find that their responses to a Web site or presentation containing animation are much higher than a static presentation or interface. In short, we use animation to direct the viewers path through a presentation."
No matter the approach you take, or the tools you become familiar with, adding animation can greatly enhance a Web site or Web-based presentation.
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Resources
WEB ANIMATION SOFWTARE:
(retail box pricing show, pricing may be lower as download)
Christopher Simmons has been creating Web sites since 1995 and is president of Neotrope, which offers Web design and brand marketing services. E-mail him at cs@digitalauthor.com. A shorter version of this article appeared in the May 2001 edition of Micro Publishing News.
