Towards a new animation technology

This thesis is an examination of. The conceptual and computer-science issues involved with the design and programming of a system for animation of line drawings in a mini-computer environment. The intent is to produce a system which will be of direct value to artists, rather than some other users' community. Because of this , the thesis starts with an analysis of the animation process, as it is practiced by artists. First, there is a review of the conventional technology, with particular attention to the aspects which have been imposed by purely technological considerations. Next, an alternative way of viewing the animation process is proposed. This proposal contains the basis for a powerful descriptive language for designing and refining animations. The first section closes with the presentation of the conceptof the Graphic Process, which is a highly flexible and defined mechanism for discussing and planning animations. The second section contains a discussion of how well the author’s system, GRAX, meets the needs of the Graphic Process paradigm. Systems created by other workers are also evaluated along this criterion. There is a general discussion of some of the features demanded by the Graphic Process paradigm, but included in no systems created to date. These features are ascribed to a hypothetical language called SUPER.Science, Faculty ofComputer Science, Department ofGraduat