The origin of animation was in 2D format where it was primarily used for drawing cartoons and other graphics. This developed into 3D animation with the advancement in computer technology, which began to be used in web games, movies and video games.
Today animation is used by professionals not only in media and entertainment industry but also in all spheres where communication is important. For e.g., when animation is used in education, it helps in making concepts clear to students. The success of the animation depends on the skills of the 3D animation development company.
Here are a few fields apart from media and entertainment where animation is calling the shots:
- Medical animation: 3D animation is used to create a short film around a surgical or physiological topic, used mostly as instruction for medical students or patients.
- Architecture visualization: Animation is used to create a 3D picture of buildings and/ or its landscaping for use for architects and clients.
- Mechanical animation: Animation can be used to make virtual models of different products and mechanical models, which lower risk and money associated with creating physical models.
- Forensic animation: Animation is used to recreate crime scenes and help in investigation.
- Educational animation: Educators are taking up use of animation for dynamic content, with great gusto. For example, Power point application is being used for efficient educational animation. Animation is used to depict changes over time (temporal changes), which involves changes in position (translation) and changes in form (transformation). Changes can be depicted clearly in comparison to static pictures. Well designed animations enable students to learn faster and more efficiently. They are also very effective aids that help teachers explain difficult topics and concepts. For instance, they are able to explain the concept of electricity which is invisible. Educational animation makes learning faster and fun.
Sometimes educational animation is fraught with problems. The pace at which animation presents its information may outdo the speed at which the student can process this information. One solution is to provide a textual explanation along with the 3D graphics and another is to provide control to the student on how to play the animation. The student can manipulate audio-commentary, labels, direction and speed of animation according to his/ her pace.
These are some applications of computer animation in various fields.