Animation Formats: Which ones and why?
The format used for the animation is entirely based around how complex the animation is, where the animation is designed to be used; such as a webpage, and how large the file is for the animation. Different formats for animations include animated GIFs, Dynamic HTML such as Java, Shockwave and Flash.
Dynamic HTML
Dynamic HTML is a type of HTML, which is used along side client scripting languages, such as Java Script. It can be used to create simple animations such as a button and drop down menus. Although a massive downside to using Dynamic HTML is since there are various types of browsers such as Google Chrome and FireFox, information is displayed differently meaning Dynamic HTML may not always be effective.
Flash
Flash allows users to create animations frame by frame, including using certain materials such as bitmaps and scripting such as in ActionScript. Flash is also useful for animations since it can include the use of sound and video. It is also possible to create a website using Flash, however since the entire website uses flash it may require high internet speeds in order to load. Flash also needs a Flash player installed onto the computer in order to show content, although most computers already tend to have this installed. Flash files (FLA) have to be converted into SWF format before they can be used on the internet. The SWF format was originally composed to store animations in, including sounds, however it can also be used for other purposes such as website building and process forms.
Shockwave
Shockwave is used more for 3D graphics and streaming videos. It is designed to work with a Director application, which can then compile various types of assets into a multimedia product, on a much larger scale then Flash.
Animated GIFs
GIF images which are animated normally have various images combined into a single GIF file. Applications, such as GIF89A, cycle through the various images in the GIF file in order to create an animation. While GIFs have a limited amount of flexibility and less amount of control compared to other formats, although since it is supported by almost every single web browser, it has become extremely popular. GIF files also tend to be smaller then other animation files.
Comparison: Animated GIFs and Flash
Animated GIFs and Flash both have advantages and disadvantages over one another.
Animated GIF
Advantages:
Smaller File size compared to Flash Ability to have Transparent backgrounds More easily accessible on the Internet |
Disadvantages:
Only has a maximum of 256 colors Quality of photographic images can be poor Dithering reduces the amount the file size can be compressed |
Flash
Advantages:
Ability to include sound within file Bigger flexibility compared to GIF Can be more complex |
Disadvantages:
Larger file size Can't be seen unless a Flash Player is installed Can take longer to load up on webpages |
File Size
There are various ways to reduce the file size of an animation, through the use of Vector images instead of Bitmaps images due to its use of math rather then images. These Vector images can also be optimized to reduce the file size. Images and sounds can be compressed to cut down on file size, using less different styles of font and font sizes and keeping text together all help reduce the overall file size.
There are various ways to reduce the file size of an animation, through the use of Vector images instead of Bitmaps images due to its use of math rather then images. These Vector images can also be optimized to reduce the file size. Images and sounds can be compressed to cut down on file size, using less different styles of font and font sizes and keeping text together all help reduce the overall file size.