Technical Animations
As the expression goes 'a picture paints a thousand words', so an animation
must go far further in terms of a person's understanding! I've completed
a number of projects using animations and text narrative to explain complex
technical theory and processes.
Animation allows the user to visualise the concepts in a way that images
or text alone are unable to portray. In addition the user can control
the animation, repeating the motion or pausing the motion, until the
concepts have been fully understood.
Some examples of the types of projects well suited to be portrayed
using technical animations are the workings of mechanical components,
financial calculation wizards and scuba diving concepts (laws of physics).
Completed Projects
Client: Interactive Technologies In Education Ltd
Client Description: Based in London ITE Ltd offers a combination of
hardware and software to deliver hands-on expertise and theoretical
knowledge. The training systems cover autotronics, electronics, air
conditioning and refrigeration, telecommunications, hydraulics, pneumatics
and entry level technology delivering training from basic skills and
applications to advanced technician level.
Work Completed: The design
and creation of a number of online automotive theoretical, practical
and assessment modules. The project was part of a large international
initiative between a UK company (S & B training) and an Israeli company
called Degem Systems. A combination of graphics, animations and supportive
text was used to produce a coherently designed, self-study style learning
package. The distribution method was via the Internet. The graphic were
created using Photoshop and imported into Flash to create the animations.
The Flash movies were converted to animated GIF files to allow easy
assimilation into the existing ITE Web Site.
Technologies Used: Animated GIF.
Client: MAN UK Truck & Bus Ltd
Client Description: Based in Swindon, Wiltshire. MAN Truck and Bus UK Ltd offers a comprehensive range of commercial vehicles, buses, coaches and industrial engines to operators and companies in the UK.
Work Completed: The design and creation of a bespoke CD based training course for the MANTIS system (MAN Teile (Parts) Information System). The course highlighted the various functions of MANTIS and physically demonstrates how to operate the system. Effectively MANTIS was recreated in Flash, allowing animations and supporting text descriptions to guide a new user through the system. The project was distributed on a CD. All software and documentation required to run the project was compiled together into a single application. The resulting file is a standalone application that can be used and operated on any PC. A combination of graphics, animations and supportive text was used to produce a coherently designed, self-study style learning package to be distributed via the Internet. The graphics were created using Photoshop and imported into Flash to create the animations.
Technologies Used: Flash, HTML and Photoshop.
Client: TEM Technics
Client Description: Based in London. TEM Technics offers electrical circuit board training software.
Work Completed: The design and creation of a series of interactive technical animations. The animations were designed to highlight the internal workings and electrical operation of various electronic circuit boards. The animations allowed the user to the follow and learn how each board operated and to illustrate the potential faults that may occur. The project was distributed on a CD, with all the required software and documentation to run the project included. A combination of graphics, photos and supportive text was used to produce the animations. The graphics were created using Photoshop and imported, alongside the photos, into Flash to create the animations.
Technologies Used: Flash.
Contact me about a Technical Animation project
If you have a project, please click the 'Proposal' button to view a form that will allow you to submit your contact details and an outline of the project you are proposing.