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Motion Graphics
Terminology
Laura Smith
August 7, 2014 5:08 am
If youre new to the world of motion graphics one of the best ways to get
up and running is to become familiar with some terminology youll likely
encounter on your journey to becoming a great motion designer. Use this
list to jump-start your motion graphics vocabulary or as a []
If youre new to the world of motion graphics one of the best ways to get
up and running is to become familiar with some terminology youll likely
encounter on your journey to becoming a great motion designer. Use this
list to jump-start your motion graphics vocabulary or as a reference guide
for terms that need a quick refresh in your mind.
2D, 2.5D, & 3D
These 3 topics refer to the different types of space that an image or
object can occupy. With 2D images, there s simply a flat image with no
visible depth. With 2.5D images, there is now a 3D space available that
the image can be placed within. However, the image still appears flat, as
if on a card. Think of a diorama styled image. With a 3D image the object
has been created in 3D space with full three dimensional capabilities and
the ability to orbit the object without seeing a paper-thin edge as with
2.5D images.
Adjustment Layers
Alpha Channel
A channel reserved for transparency data, Alpha channels are most
familiarly represented as a black and white image. Gray areas will show a
semi transparent area. The channel is used as the method for bringing
two images together and specifying how the images will overlay each
other. Learn more about about compositing from the first volume of our
Mastering VFX Terminology series.
Animation & Transformation
In motion graphics, youll mostly see transformation animations. This
refers to changes in the position, rotation, scale, anchor point or axis and
opacity properties. Traditional animation is executed in a very different
manner, where the animation isnt achieved through editing these
simplified properties above, but rather hand-drawing each frame of the
sequence. Both of these can be considered methods of animation for
motion graphics, but traditional animation requires more knowledge of
real-world movements to be convincing.
Bevel or Fillet
Bevels and Fillets are synonymous. Theyre a slanted edge between two
faces on a 3D object. Bevels help to make an object have a softer
appearance. When applied subtly, bevels can be the first step to making a
3D object appear more realistic, since objects in the real world dont truly
exist with 90 angles. You can add bevels in After Effects when using the
Ray-traced 3D renderer.
Bokeh
In video and photography, bokeh is the effect produced by a lens upon
out of focus parts of the picture. Bokeh most commonly appears as light
areas of the image that show up in the shape of the aperture opening of
the camera. Learn more about creating bokeh in Photorealistic Camera
Lens Effects in After Effects.
Camera Pan or Orbit
Camera pan and camera orbit are synonymous. They both mean that the
camera is set to a fixed position in space such as it would be on a tripod.
The camera is then rotated but remains rotating from that fixed axis.
Learn more about creating cameras in After Effects with our Introduction
to 3D in After Effects course
Camera Track
This term can mean two things. It depends on if youre referring to the
movement of the camera itself, or if youre referring to analyzing and
recording the movements of the camera for a compositing purpose.
When referring to the movement of the camera, tracking refers to
actually moving the camera, whether that be in/out, side to side or up
and down. The camera would be physically moving its position in space.
Another definition of Camera Track, is when you use software to track
the position of the camera. The track will be based on the input settings
of the camera used to shoot the video, and the motion that is visible
within the actual video. This is then used to input new imagery into the
original footage. Learn to do this with our Integrating 3D Titles into
Footage in NUKEX course.
Cel
The term cel is actually short for celluloid. Its a transparent plastic sheet
upon which hand-drawn animations are created. The cel refers to a
single drawing in the sequence of the animation. Learn more about
drawing cels in Traditional Animation Techniques in Toon Boom
Harmony.
CINEWARE
Vector graphics in After Effects will be treated as pixel graphics until the
continuously rasterize switch is checked. This switch will make vector
layers look clear, no matter how the layer has been scaled up or down, or
moved one way or the other in 3D space. This switch is also the same
switch as the Collapse Transformations switch. It will exercise different
functionality based on if its checked for a composition or a vector
footage layer. To learn more about this switch check out One Switch to
Rule them All.
Dependencies
Dependencies are the relationships which After Effects has with footage
sources outside of the program. There is a Dependencies button which
will allow you to perform different actions based on how much or little
footage you want to keep referenced in your project. It will also allow
you to collect all your files into one place for better organization.
Ease In, Ease Out & Easy Ease
Expressions are a type of script that calculates a value for a single layer at
a specific point in time. Expressions are widely used in the motion
graphics world because expressions can be used to automate simple
animation tasks that would otherwise take much too long with traditional
keyframe animation. For instance, you could use an expression to make a
circle rotating at a set rate, for a set number of frames without having to
spend the time to hand animate the movement. You can also save an
Frames are the individual images that make up a moving sequence. When
these images are played back at a certain speed the movement is
created. The speed at which these images are displayed is determined by
the frame rate. The sequence can be something animated by hand,
created on the computer or even a live action shot.
Frame Rate
Frame rate is the rate at which frames are played back per second. The
smaller the amount of frames per second the choppier the animation will
look. Some common frame rates are 23.976 frames per second, 24 fps,
25fps, 29.97fps, and 30fps
Graph Editor or F Curves Editor
The Graph editor is a two dimensional representation of the interpolation
between keyframes. The points on the graph are represented by
keyframes and the curves or lines on the graph show either the speed or
change in value over time. Check out Mastering the Graph Editor in After
Effects for an in-depth look at using this great tool.
Green Screen
A green screen is used to shoot live action footage that a compositor will
later use as a tool to remove the green background from the live action
foreground. It makes the compositing process much easier because it
greatly reduces the need to rotoscope around moving objects that need a
transparent background. Keying Greenscreens in After Effects is the
perfect place to start learning how to use this compositing tool.
Interpolation
Interpolation is the process of calculating the values between two
keyframes. There are different methods of interpolation that will change
either the path an object will take to move from one keyed position to
the next, or it will effect the speed at which the object travels. Different
types of interpolation denote different types of real-world movement.
Check out the course Demystifying Keyframe Interpolation in After
Effects or the article Swift Moves and Slow Stops to learn more.
Interpret Footage
When a sequence is imported to a compositing or editing program its
nothing more than a series of frames. When its brought into the
software, its frame rate and alpha settings must be interpreted. There
will be default settings applied automatically but theyre not always the
intended settings.
Keyframes
Youre probably familiar with layers if youve ever used a program like
Photoshop or Illustrator. When youre creating motion graphics youll
most likely be working in After Effects, which handles layers basically the
same way. A single layer can hold anything from graphics, text, effects,
shapes, etc. Depending on the how the layers are stacked on one another
will determine how they appear in the composition. For example, if you
have a red background layer above a bicycle graphic layer then the
bicycle graphic would not be visible. In order to create complex motion
design you will often be working with numerous different layers to create
the finished project.
Layer Styles
Layer styles are effects that can be applied to images to create simple
changes like bevels, drop shadows, and glows.
Masking
Masking is the process of drawing a specific area that will cut away a part
of the image making it transparent.
Mograph & Motion Graphics or Motion Graphic
Motion Graphics are animated graphics or video footage designed to be
used for communication. Overtime they have evolved into not only being
communication devices but also simply an avenue to create short
animated works of art. Motion Graphics are usually shorter than an
animated movie and less character focused. However, as time goes on
the gray area between these two fields continues to broaden. Mograph is
sometimes a shorthand term for motion graphics, however, it is also a
tool set in CINEMA 4D that is used in the making of motion graphics.
Motion Blur
Motion blur can be a tool used to make quick animations more visually
appealing by making them appear less choppy and more realistic. Check
out our CG101: Compositing lesson to learn more.
Motion Graphics Artist vs. Motion Graphics Designer
A motion graphics artist and a motion graphics designer are both people
who create motion graphics. In practice theres not a very big difference
between an MGA and an MGD. You may find however that MGDs dislike
being referred to as MGAs. The reason for this is that the word design has
a more thoughtful and premeditated connotation than the word art.
Therefore some MGDs, especially formally trained ones, may be offended
when referred to as an artist rather than a designer.
Nested Composition
A nested composition is a composition that exists within another
composition. However its usually not referred to as a nested
composition until its at least 3 levels deep within the composition
structure. Check out our article, Wrap Your Brain Around Nested
Compositions in After Effects to learn more.
Null
A Null is an invisible object that doesnt show up in the final render. It
does however have all the same inherent properties and can be treated
as other layers are in a workflow. It can be used as a control or a
placeholder and is a very useful tool when creating a camera rig.
Onion Skinning
that are far away. Even the most simple parallax is one of the first steps
to creating depth in an animated scene.
Parenting
Parenting is the action of linking one layer to another. Whichever layer is
parented will become the child and copy the movements of the
parent.
Paths
The path of action of an object is the path which an object travels along
to get from one keyframed space to another.
Playhead or Current Time Indicator
The Playhead of Current Time Indicator is a line which represents which
point in time on the timeline one is currently viewing. You can scrub the
playhead to quickly see the animation without having to render or
preview the scene.
Precomposing
Precomposing is the process of combining multiple layers to be placed
into a new composition.
Puppet Tool
The puppet tool is used to create animations by a series of pins and
keyframes. Its a simple way to create an easy rig for a 2D image.
Real-Time Preview
The timecode is a type of display in After Effects showing the exact time
in a composition in hours, minutes, seconds and frames. For example, the
timecode in the screenshot above that says 0:00:26:13 is 0 hours, 00
minutes, 26 seconds, and 13 frames. This is great for being able to see
the exact moment an effect occurs or where exactly a layers effect ends.
Timeline or Dope Sheet
Vector Graphics
A vector graphic is the most common graphic type found in motion
graphics and typically come from Illustrator. A vector graphic is based on
paths or stokes which lead to different control points which make up the
graphic. Each one of these points has a definitive position on the work
plane. Vector graphics are popular because you can scale it up or down
and it never loses quality.
Raster Graphics
Pixel-based raster graphics will typically come from a program like
Photoshop. These graphics are made up of individual colored squares
(pixels) which are all assigned a specific location and color value. The
Motion Graphics
Terminology You Need to
Know | Beginners and
More
Mark Masters
April 1, 2014 4:55 am
If youre new to the world of motion graphics one of the best ways to get
up and running is to become familiar with some of the different terms
youll likely encounter on your journey to becoming a great motion
designer. This article will teach you some of the most []
If youre new to the world of motion graphics one of the best ways to get
up and running is to become familiar with some of the different terms
youll likely encounter on your journey to becoming a great motion
designer. This article will teach you some of the most common motion
graphics terminology so you can have a better understanding of each one
and what they mean.
Vector Graphics
A vector graphic is the most common graphic type found in motion
graphics and typically come from Illustrator. A vector graphic is based on
paths or stokes which lead to different control points which make up the
graphic. Each one of these points has a definitive position on the work
plane.
Vector graphics are popular because you can scale it up or down and it
never loses quality.
Raster Graphics
Pixel-based raster graphics will typically come from a program like
Photoshop. These graphics are made up of individual colored squares
(pixels) which are all assigned a specific location and color value. The
amount of pixels that make up a graphic is determined by the resolution.
So this means if a bitmap graphic is scaled up or down it can lose quality.
With motion graphics vector based images are typically used more often,
but there are still times when a bitmap graphic is very useful.
Frames
Frames are the individual images that make up a moving sequence. When
these images are played back at a certain speed the movement is
created. The speed at which these images are displayed is determined by
the frame rate. The most common frame rate is 24 frames-per-second,
meaning 24 individual images are displayed over one second. However,
depending on the output the frames-per-second may vary.
Trim
The timecode is a type of display in After Effects showing the exact time
in a composition in hours, minutes, seconds and frames. For example, the
timecode in the screenshot above that says 0:00:26:13 is 0 hours, 00
minutes, 26 seconds, and 13 frames. This is great for being able to see
the exact moment an effect occurs or where exactly a layers effect ends.
Layers
Youre probably familiar with layers if youve ever used a program like
Photoshop or Illustrator. When youre creating motion graphics you will
most likely be working in After Effects, and After Effects handles layers
basically the same way. A single layer can hold anything from graphics,
text, effects, shapes, etc. Depending on the how the layers are stacked on
one another will determine how they appear in the composition.
For example, if you have a red background layer above a bicycle graphic
layer then the bicycle graphic would not be visible. In order to create
complex motion design you will often be working with numerous
different layers to create the finished project.
Adjustment Layers
When creating motion graphics in a program like After Effects the basic
graphics you manipulate are flat two-dimensional layers. With a 3D layer
the layer itself remains flat, but it gains additional properties like
position, anchor point, scale, and rotation. Any layer can be a 3D layer,
creating the illusion something is 3D when its actually 2D.
Keyframes
Expressions are a type of script that calculates a value for a single layer at
a specific point in time. Expressions are widely used in the motion
graphics world because expressions can be used to automate simple
animation tasks that would otherwise take much too long with traditional
keyframe animation.
For instance, you could use an expression to make a circle rotating at a
set rate, for a set number of frames without having to spend the time to
hand animate the movement. You can also save an expression as a preset
so you can use them on different layers and compositions.
Ease In and Ease Out