Lesson 1 will teach you how to get down to basics in understanding how animation came into being, and how simple techniques underlie its continued importance as an artistic form. At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain why knowledge of early technologies and methods of animation are useful and relevant to a contemporary career in animation.
- Explain how historical and traditional types of animation are the cornerstones for today's high tech animation industry.
- Research important events in animation's history and explain their significance.
- Use the persistence of vision concept to explain how still images become animation.
- Identify some early 2-D animation devices and explain how they accomplished the illusion of movement.
- Articulate the process of drawing complex forms—such as human bodies, animals, and faces—by breaking down the object into simple shapes.
- Articulate the process of creating movement through animating objects and scenes. Identify the best method of animation to achieve your desired goal.
- Articulate the importance of creating a timeline to map out an animated sequence.
- Identify what frames are and how they are used in animation. Articulate the relationship between animation and frame rates. Discuss the importance of keyframes and how they are used.
- Discuss the process of tweening and how it relates to the final animated sequence.

Lesson 2 is where you get down to the basics of making animation. You will begin with an overview of how animations are constructed, then move on to the first step in preproduction -- the vital act of storyboarding. At the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Articulate the process of animating a believable head turn.
- Articulate the process known as squash and stretch, and why it is so important to realistic movement in animation.
- Articulate the importance of exaggeration when animating motion. Identify examples of exaggerated motion in animation.
- Articulate the importance of creating a well timed walking sequence for your character. Use a timeline, keyframes and in-betweens to animate a walking character.
- Articulate the process of creating realistic limb movement, and why it is important to animate "along the arc."
- Discuss the process of onion skinning and cel animation, and the impact computer animation software has made on these techniques.
- Discuss the need for pre-production planning. This includes having a solid story idea, creating believable characters, writing the script, and using a storyboard to flesh out how the animation will look and flow on screen.
- Develop a solid story line.
- Describe the importance of good character development and create a solid character profile.
- Compile rough story ideas and character sketches into a workable short script.
- Create a storyboard to be used as a road map during the production of your animated sequence.

Lesson 3 covers computerized animation and techniques for creating animated GIF's. At the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Discuss the formats for digital delivery.
- Discuss how computer animation software aids animators.
- Discuss effective uses of interactivity, and how it relates to animation.
- Discuss how animation is delivered over the Web and identify considerations for delivery.
- Discuss the difference between vector and raster graphics. Give examples of computer software applications used for drawing and animation.
- Discuss and evaluate the most popular GIF animation programs used today.
- Identify three graphic image sources. Define the four most common graphic file. formats. Prepare various types of graphic formats for GIF animation.
- Effectively plan a GIF animation using skills learned in Module 4.
- Use Microsoft's GIF animator to create a simple animation.
- Create a basic HTML page to display your animation.

Lesson 4 takes you through the basics of Director and Flash, both powerful animation programs. At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Discuss the primary function of the stage in Director.
- Explain the relationships among the stage, cast, and score.
- Create and import cast members and incorporate them into the score.
- Populate the score with a cast member and demonstrate setting keyframes.
- Use Shockwave and Aftershock to Web-enable Director movies.
- Provide a high level overview of Flash 4.0 and define what it is used for and the program's basic functionality.
- Identify the most commonly used drawing tools and demonstrate how to use them.
- Demonstrate the relationship between the timeline and layers.
- Create a symbol and explain the benefits of using symbols.
- Demonstrate how to create a simple, motion animation.
- Explain the process of onion skinning, and demonstrate how to edit a simple motion animation using the process.
- Explain how to add interactivity using buttons.
- Explain the four button states, and create a simple rollover button.
- Explain the difference between event sounds and streaming sounds.
- Demonstrate how to adjust play levels of a sound file within Flash.
- Explain the purpose of the Publishing Settings, and demonstrate how to use them effectively.
- Demonstrate and explain the steps used to publish a Flash movie to the Web.

Enjoy!