I am inspired to write this article after coming across some publications in "The Physics Teacher" that all hit on topics of personal interest and experience. Similarly to Christensen my goal in writing this is to encourage other physics educators to take advantage of modern technology in delivering content to students and to feel…

In the project discussed in this article, 30 11-year olds made an animated film in the machinima style, influenced by both film and game culture, and using a 3-D animation software tool, Moviestorm. The processes and products of the project will be analysed using a social semiotic/multimodal approach, exploring the social interests behind the…

Developing technology to help people teach and learn is an important topic in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). In this thesis we present three studies on this topic. In the first study, we demonstrate new games for learning mathematics and discuss the evidence for key design decisions from user studies. In the second study, we develop a real-time…

The narrator relates his life's downward spiral and miraculous rebound from severe foot problems using animated bullet points, images, charts, and graphs. "Custom Orthotics Changed My Life" is a work of presentation fiction, or slideshow fiction, in the form of a video with an original soundtrack. The music was composed by David Kettler, a…

This master's thesis investigates the relationship between the traditional animator and the computer as computer animation systems allow them to apply traditional skills with a high degree of success. The advantages and disadvantages of traditional animation as a medium for expressing motion and character are noted, and it is argued that the…

Provides insight into technique for developing 3-dimensional computer graphics for use in artistic expression, design of functional objects, and the development of frame-by-frame computer animated films. Objects defined by intersecting spheres, hardware, software, examples, and illustrations are included. Twenty-four references are cited. (EJS)

A literature survey of works dealing expressly with computer animation of motion pictures is presented in this report. Twenty-four papers are cited, ranging in date from 1964 to 1969. The papers are divided into three categories: general discussions, animation languages, and specific applications. The author provides a short description of each…

Discusses the use of the computer animation technique to travel through space and time and watch models of astronomical systems in motion. Included is a list of eight computer-generated demonstration films entitled Explorations in Space and Time.'' (CC)

Over the past few years, video technology has been used to assist film directors after they have shot a scene, to control costs, and to create special effects, especially computer assisted graphics. At present, a computer based editing system called "Film 5" combines computer technology and video tape with film to save as much as 50% of…

This paper argues that the advent of the optical videodisc has removed one of movie making's basic tenets: that is, the unfolding of the imagery and the order of succession of the frames. It maintains that the optical videodisc provides the opportunity for topical and temporal reconfiguration of the images wherein the viewer becomes an active…

Reviews current use of computer generated films to further scientific research. (SL)

User-originated 16mm filmstrips for use with an IBM 1512 computer-controlled rear screen projector can be made at half the commercial cost. This report describes the procedures necessary for preparing, photographing, and processing either a black-and-white or color filmstrip for a computer-assisted instruction program. Master preparation,…

The role of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in supplying television educators with teacher aids, models, and devices is described in this report, which emphasizes the work of special effects or visual effects technicians and explains how difficult concepts and principles can be demonstrated through the use of three-dimensional models,…

Thanks to film, graphic artists can now create over time as well as in space. An essay discusses the influence of cinema on still paintings (e.g., Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase" and the increasing combination of animation and live action in films. New techniques that are available in animation and in special visual effects are explained,…

Computer graphics have been called the most exciting development in computer technology. At the University of Michigan, three kinds of graphics output equipment are now being used: symbolic printers, line plotters or drafting devices, and cathode-ray tubes (CRT). Six examples are given that demonstrate the range of graphics use at the University.…