Computer animation is generally of one of two kinds: cel or path- based. Cel animation is based on traditional hand-painted cartooning, where each of the frames is created individually on a clear celluloid sheet. An animated movie with a frame rate of 24 images per second, would require 1,440 frames for each minute of animation (24 images per second X 60 seconds).

A particular sequence of action, such as a waving hand, or a swaying tree, is contained within keyframes. Keyframes denote the beginning and ending frames for an action. The execution of that action is determined by the number of frames that are in between the keyframes, in a process called tweening. Tweening requires a calculation both of the number of frames separating the keyframes, and the path of the action. The artist then fills in the intermediate frames. In some cases the computer program can calculate the intermediate frames.

Path-based animation moves predefined graphic elements along a prescribed path, which is drawn by the computer artist. This type of animation is relatively simple to produce since the computer calculates the speed and position of each animated object.

Motion graphics can serve any of a number of purposes in either static or interactive multimedia productions, delivered on disk, CD- ROM or on the Web. Most commonly those purposes are to:

* attract attention, which can be the differentiating factor in keeping Web visitors on-site long enough to comprehend a message

* show a process, which might be to demonstrate a sequence of events, procedures or steps, which clarifies in pictures rather than in words

* simplify a complex operation by representing it with basic graphic elements

* represent a process that can not be captured with conventional video technology, either because it is dangerous or beyond normal viewing, such as the inner workings of a nuclear reactor

* portray a storyline that is based on fantasy or fiction, and is best displayed in cartoon format

* add human qualities, such as human movement or emotion, to inanimate objects, such as a cookie or tube of toothpaste

* enliven display type by moving it and/or giving it special effects such as a glow, sparkle, fade, sweep, zoom, pulse, tumble, rotation, spin, or other movement

* offer a graphic metaphor, such as comparing a tea kettle containing boiling water to a steam engine. Animation makes it possible to put a large tea kettle inside the engine room of a paddle-wheel steamer.

* compress time, or the sensation of time, by speeding up a process, such as the rapid aging of a character, or the movement of one scene to another, representing a significant passage of time.

Going to the Web. In all of human history there has been no form of mass communication has grown faster than the World Wide Web. This unprecedented growth has resulted in stiff competition for attracting and holding the attention of the significant number of people who have access to the Internet. Animation is one effective technique to hold a reader's attention at least long enough to delay the next mouse click, which can propel a user half-way around the world.

Animation is not simple, neither in execution nor implementation. The tools are usually complex, requiring a fair degree of skill and patience, and progress is often dependent on trial and error. An exception to this is WebPainter, which is an easy-to-use, yet sophisticated and capable program for creating Web page graphics and cel-based animation.

WebPainter provides the user with a complete set of painting tools, similar in form and purpose to those in traditional bitmap painting programs. The Drawing Window provides for both Next and Previous Onion Skin layers, showing the user a faded image of either the preceding or following frame. The Onion Skin capability is similar to the use of tracing paper, providing the visual feedback necessary to create seamless animation.

The Drawing Window can consist of both a background and foreground layer. The background layer is used for a static image, whereas the foreground is used for the animation sequence(s).

Each cel of the animation appears in the Cel Strip Window, which is analogous to a strip of motion picture film. Here single or multiple cels can be duplicated, reversed, or deleted. The Controller palette is used to run animations, or to step through them, in either direction, frame-by-frame.

Animations can be created from scratch, using the extensive array of WebPainter tools, or may be started by importing still or motion graphics in GIF87, GIF89a, PICT, PICS, QuickTime Movies, and Sizzler formats for Macintosh; and GIF89a, GIF87, Windows BMP, AVI, and Sizzler for Windows.* Sizzler is Totally Hip Software's popular proprietary animation format which uses the Sizzler plug-in to view stream-based animation on the Web in real-time. Sizzler animations have the advantage of appearing gradually and become sharper as the download proceeds. It is in contrast to traditional store-forward- play techologies that force users to wait for the entire image to download before being able to view it. In addition, Sizzler supports sound and can convert animations from other popular formats.

WebPainter simplifies the use of Web animations by generating the HTML code automatically when a graphic file is exported. The HTML code is placed on the Clipboard for pasting into an HTML document, or, alternately, can be saved to a file for later use. $99

*WebPainter can also export in each of these formats.

As if the program itself wasn't more than worth its asking price, Deneba has bundled it with 2000 typefaces (both TrueType and Type 1) and 20,000 clipart images. $595

The series is appropriate both for individuals and corporate and university trainers. The software includes true-false, multiple choice and matching quizzes which are linked to topics to help users review material.

In brief, here is what the other filters do: Chameleon easily shifts the beginning and ending color hues of a selection; DekoBoko (Japanese for convex and concave) produces 3-D button effects; MagicCurtain is a layer building and texture enhancing tool; MagicFrame creates multicolor frames and borders; TileMaker posterizes or tiles images; and TVSnow adds the effect of television static. $99.95

The PostScript language is very powerful, and very complex, and certainly not something for the faint of heart, or those whose talents lie more with the asethetics of a page than with the underlying imaging technology which produces it. Fortunately Acquired Knowledge Inc. has the technical expertise to handle PostScript files of any kind. They have used that expertise to create and present an on-going series of industry training programs, and have incorporated their specialized knowledge in one of the most valuable PostScript utilities available: Download Mechanic Pro.

Download Mechanic Pro 1.8 for the Power Macintosh performs several valuable tasks that serve not only to manage workflow, but to detect and eliminate protential problems. Its analysis feature detects missing fonts and printer features and more, providing clear indications of files which will not image successfully.

The most valuable feature of the program is the Preview soft RIP, which displays PostScript, EPS and PDF files. Files which display properly on the Macintosh screen are likely to image properly on the printer. In addition, files can be saved in TIFF, PICT, or as Multi-Page Preview files. PostScript files can be processed directly to Adobe's Acrobat Distiller for translation into PDF format.

The program also provides file management, supporting individual or batch downloading. The user can set up a drag-and-drop hot folder for unattended background processing. A useful capability is the Test-and-Print feature which only prints PostScript files which are found to be free of errors or bad code. Files which won't print are automatically placed in a user-defined folder. In addition, savvy users can use the built-in text editor to locate and fix errors.

The Acquired Knowledge Web site has a large collection of useful resources and is well worth a visit. A demo version of Download Mechanic is available on the site. $499

TimeLapse is evidence of how far adventure games have come. The premise is an exploration of ancient civilizations in search of the lost city of Atlantis. As soon as you start playing, you get the feeling that you are actually in these ancient cities, making the adventure very realistic. This realism is due largely to the wonderfully-rendered photo-realistic graphics and excellent soundtracks.

The game-play of TimeLapse is interesting and engaging. The interface is the standard point-and-click allowing you to easily explore the various worlds and use your camera to take pictures. The puzzles are interesting enough to stimulate players of all ages yet challenging enough to increase the playtime (I still haven't completed the game). SRP: $69.99

Reviewed by Scott J. Kleper

The series is appropriate both for individuals and corporate and university trainers. The software includes true-false, multiple choice and matching quizzes which are linked to topics to help users review material.

In brief, here is what the other filters do: Chameleon easily shifts the beginning and ending color hues of a selection; DekoBoko (Japanese for convex and concave) produces 3-D button effects; MagicCurtain is a layer building and texture enhancing tool; MagicFrame creates multicolor frames and borders; TileMaker posterizes or tiles images; and TVSnow adds the effect of television static. $99.95

New Riders Publishing P.O. Box 4846-V Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

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