Graphic Animation

Animation can be achieved by multiple techniques, generally we can break them down into 2d and 3d animation systems. a 2d system will usually involve frame by frame images that play in sequence to create an illusion of movement or explosion or whatever. I used the frame-frame to animation for all the explosions in the iPhone puzzle-game, Arrow Head.

3d animation is usually done with bones or a 'rig' of a 3d model. The bones are associated with different vertices of the main entity or 'mesh' and then when the bones are moved, the appropriate parts of the mesh are moved with it. Creating a good rig is very important to create a realistic animation as certain parts need to deform and other parts need to remain rigid.

Particle effects are also a valuable part of animation. Use particles to create smoke, fire, sparks, and other types of outdoor elements. combine several particle effects together to create awesome explosions and projectiles.

Animation Examples

View the examples below. I have created everything in these videos from the terrain to the models & textures, Take note of the various entities that make up each video: 3d models, particle effects, skeletal animation, various animation cycles and how it all fits together: