Monday, July 30, 2001		Article

Animation in forensic science
Sumesh Raizada

TODAY computers are used by a number of illustrators, cartoonists or painters for their work. Those especially from creative arts, work on the computers with equal ease and translate their ideas into computer-generated pictures, movies or sounds. These professionals, who are doing wonders in the field of advertising, media, films, publishing, designing, multimedia, games and Web designing are called computer animator. Animations that are 3D or 2D provide ample job opportunities for artists as well as IT professionals throughout the world, who earn handsomely, not only in terms of money but also fame and respect in their respective industries.

Those who watch cartoon serials or play video games must be quite familiar with computer animation. Similarly, a number of movies and advertising films use this technique for creating virtual images. On Web too, animation is used for advertising and providing multimedia applications. It is a technique through which still-pictures are arranged and coordinated in a sequence that are made to run on a moving camera so as to give an impression of a motion picture. Sound and picture effects are generated with the help of computers to give it a real touch. Famous cartoon characters like Mickey and Donald, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, with live actions and voice, have been made possible because of computer animation.

Computer animation technique is utilised in areas other than entertainment or media industry. They find application in medicine for generating real looking images of human body and thus helping physicians to diagnose ailments or even perform virtual surgeries. They are used in sports where coach guides and motivates his team on a virtual playground and explain the strategies. In architecture, a professional can design a complete building on a 3-dimensional scale, thanks to the animation techniques.

For all the above applications, specialised software has been developed and those who are not necessarily from the field of creative art can also take up a profession in computer animation. However in most applications, a person needs to have a creative and artistic bend of mind. Besides, they have to be proficient in handling different hardware and software tools so as to build models, scenes and structures on the computers.

An animator should also have a sufficient knowledge about the basics of colour, texture, picture and effects. With the growing number of TV channels, demand for more creative and innovative programs have arisen especially for children. Computer animation has thus become a highly sought after career these days and there are tremendous career opportunities for trained and qualified animators in media.

Computer animators are broadly classified into different categories depending upon their field of operation. These are cell animators, 3D modelling artists, clay model artists, character animation artists, game specialists, etc. These professionals create images and pictures on the computers, which are then transferred onto CD ROMs or videotapes. Those interested in pursuing a career should have sufficient illustration skills and must have knowledge of animation software like 3D Studio Max, SoftImage, Maya.

Computer animators in a studio are required to look after different aspects like framing concept or an idea, storyboarding, in which scenes according to their order are set, colour and picture effects. etc. As investment in terms of money and efforts in any animation film is quite high, these professionals are involved in the postproduction activities also in the studios.

Usually, in advertising or film production jobs, computer animators are required to posses a degree or certificate course in animation. However, those from the field of communication or commercial art and having sufficient knowledge of computers can also work as computer animator. This job requires irregular and long working hours, creativity and presentation as the key factors. Rewards, recognition and remuneration are also proportionately high for these professionals.

A qualified computer animator can seek employment in advertising firms, animation studios, multimedia and post-production houses, TV channels, etc. They also work with Web designing firms for developing sites with animation effects or in software firms for developing specialised animation packages for various IT applications. The earnings for animators may start anywhere between Rs.15, 000 to Rs.30, 000 per month.

There are number of institutes in India that offer courses in computer animation. These are Arena Multimedia, CADD centre, Mindstorm Training Institute, Microcell Graphics, etc. Certification offered by some of these institutes are recognised internationally thus making the horizon for potential animators quite wide.

Arena Multimedia has a technology tie up with Macromedia Inc.and Adobe systems, which are leading companies in their respective fields, worldwide. The course duration normally ranges from elementary of 2 to 3 months to advanced ranging from 6 months to 2 years. The course fee is generally starting from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000 or more. The elementary course covers the overview on Multimedia, Web visualisation and Web animation.

While advanced courses provide exposure to software like Macro media Director, Strata Studio Pro, etc. besides covering topics like Media Elements, 3D Modelling and Animation, concepts of motion capture, script writing, sound and picture effects, etc.

Sky Computer Education, Mumbai, a subsidiary of US based company offers Masters in Computer Designing and Animation, called MCDA. It also provides ample job and learning opportunity for students, who can also be absorbed as a trainee after or during the course. Delhi based Tandem Institute of Computer Technology which is recognized by C-DAC and has a tie up with IGNOU are providing animation courses. CEDTI, SAS Nagar, also offers certificate course in animation and graphics (3D) for the prospective Computer Animators.

While selecting an institute, a person should keep in mind his own objective and also his expectation from a particular course. They should also find out the future job potential and earnings from that course, curriculum offered, laboratory facilities and infrastructure available, quality of teaching faculty and most important its recognition internationally. Computer animation has a scope in abundance in countries like the USA and UK, where a large number of films, commercials, and serials are being made through animation techniques.

A person having diploma or degree from a recognised institute can therefore get a lucrative employment abroad. Besides having pre-requisite qualification or practical training, an animator needs to have an inclination towards visual art, design and creativity. They must posses a fairly good colour sense and must be highly imaginative so as to design sets, characters, etc. These professional need to have to team skills, as they are required to work in coordination with several other team members.

Realising the importance and utility of computer animation, more and more companies are now focussing their attention on its several other untapped applications. Computer animation is also being applied in archaeology, architecture, physical science, forensics, online learning and education. Besides, work goes on for creation of 3 dimensional or multimedia enabled Web sites, where computer animators play a major role.