You have no doubt heard the term “animation” and the technical definition is the filming of a sequence of positions or drawings to create an illusion of motion. With the advent of computers, animation evolved from hand drawings to perhaps the most recognized forms of computer 2D animations, 3D computer animation and images animations.

For decades, animation was a skill that was pretty much restricted to the entertainment industry, yet it did require time, elaborate equipment and manpower to accomplish. However, within the industry that has always been known as a moving force, it was time to computerize the process.

3d computer animation
The most familiar form of 2D animations can be found by watching Saturday morning cartoons with your kids, or even simpler animations every day when you surf the web. It takes on the forms of advertisements, e-cards, etc.

The basic starting point for all animations is a storyboard that lays out the basic script in a visual format, much like an extra large comic strip. From that point a rough audio track of the script is created to give animators something to sync with their drawings.

This form of animation uses “vector graphics,” meaning that the images are based upon mathematical equations, rather than by an array of pixels, such as in “raster graphics.”

graphics animations
Due to its flexibility, 3D is what most people think of when referring to computer animation, even in general terms. Although similar in some ways to 2D animations, 3d computer animation is a different process. For example, to create animations in 3D, a scene is made long before any animation starts.

What many people do not realize is that the entertainment industry and specifically motion picture applications, while possibly being the forerunners in advancing technologies, only account for a fraction of the 3D animations market.

Actually, there is very little difference between computer animation and what is called traditional animation. The main difference is the tools that are used to create animations, the effort and the price.

computer animations
Traditional 3D animation was more like claymations, and was done by using stop-motion filming techniques. Essentially, the true concept of 3D animations did not really catch on until the use of computers for animation became more cost effective and practical.

Although the entertainment industry is largely responsible for the advances in 3D computer animation, they make up only a small part of the market that uses 3D animations. Animation designs sell products; it is also used as a teaching aide with computer animation software because it presents information in a more understandable way. Depending on the type of animation desired, the process can be wholly computerized or in other cases, some of the cartoon animations may still need hand-penciling work.

Do You Know, You Can Play Free Scrabble Online Today?

Online Scrabble

Scrabble is a word lovers game. It originated in 1938, with the invention of a similar game by the name of Lexiko. The manufacturing rights were sold to James Brunot, in 1948, and then he revised the rules and changed its name to Scrabble. In 1952, the game was discovered by the president of Macy’s, Jack Strauss. He loved the game so well, he thought everyone should be playing it. This was Scrabbles big break, since so many orders came in, that Brunot could not keep up with all the orders. At such time, Selchow & Righter bought the rights to the game, however, over the years the rights to the game passed into many hands. The year 1984, brought us the production of a Scrabble TV game show.

Scrabble Online Game

The Scrabble game board is made up of a 15 x 15 grid of cell squares, which accommodate a single letter tile. There are multi-colored squares on the board that can triple or double the points of a word total. Forming word from the letter tiles can be up, down and across the grid board game. Ninety-eight tiles of letters range in their value from one to ten points, while common letters offer fewer point and hard to use letters, are worth more. Two blank tiles are provided to substitute for any letter however, their points are nil.

One tile is drawn by the players to determine who plays first, the player with the letter closest to the beginning of the alphabet goes first. Then each player will draw tiles from the bag, seven in total to begin playing the game. During a players turn, he or she can decide whether to forfeit or pass their turn, exchange one or more times for an equal amount from those tiles leftover in the bag. However, they may choose to form a word on the game board and score points. The center of the board is used to form words upon as the first gamer begins. To keep seven tiles on his rack, after playing a word, the player will then draw enough tiles to replenish the original seven tiles. The game ends when there are either six scoreless turns in succession and the score is no more than 0 – 0 or when a player uses all their tiles and there are none in the bag for replacement, according to the game rules. Scores are tallied then, however any points left on a rack, is subtracted by each player.

Scrabble Game Online

Scrabble Game Online

Free online Scrabble is a recent happening on the internet, with numerous websites offering Scrabble online, providing games for player to play against one another free. Of course for some sites, the name is different to avoid lawsuits by Hasbro and Mattel, who are the current makers of the game of Scrabble. Online Scrabble has gained in popularity, regardless of this controversy. The International Scrabble Club, Mattel and www.pogo.com, as well as numerous other online site offer their on version of free online Scrabble. Simply Google, Free Online Scrabble to find various sites offering the game online free. There is a good deal to learn when playing the game of Scrabble, whether you play online or the old fashion way.

Free Online Scrabble