Creating an Animation of a 3D Volume

Image-Pro with 3D Module only

Image-Pro allows you to create animations of image sequences viewed as volumes in the 3D Viewer. An animation is a sequence of snapshots of the volume taken as the 'camera' is moved around it. When viewed in rapid succession, the animation makes it appear that the volume is being rotated, turned, or otherwise moved in space.

There are two ways to create an animation:

  • Custom Animation: You can create a custom animation by specifying a series of camera positions that you want Image-Pro to edit together into a single series.
  • Standard Animation: You can create one of the standard 'canned' animations.

Note: The instructions provided below assume you are already viewing the image sequence as a volume with the 3D View tab showing.

To Create a Standard Animation

There are three standard animations you can choose from: Circular, Fly-Around, and See-saw.

  • Circular animation: Rotates the volume on a vertical axis parallel to the viewing axis.
  • Fly-Around Animation: Spins the volume on a Z axis perpendicular to the viewing axis.
  • See-saw Animation: Rocks the volume around the vertical axis back and forth by approximately 30 degrees.

Make sure that the current animation is empty. Click the Delete Animation button in the Animation group on the 3D View ribbon, if necessary.

In the Geometry group, set the camera mode for the 3D Viewer as Perspective or Orthogonal.

Note: If you want to create a "Fly-around" animation you have to select a perspective camera.

Using your mouse and controls for the 3D Viewer window, set the desired view of the volume for the starting position in the animation sequence.

In the Animation group, click on the arrow to the right of the Add Camera Position button.

A drop-down menu is displayed:

Click on "Circular Animation," "Fly-Around Animation," or "See-Saw Animation," depending on your needs.
Image-Pro automatically creates a sequence of camera positions for the selected animation.

Click the Play tool to preview the animation.

If you are happy with it, you can click the Create Movie tool to create a movie file of the animation.

To Create a Custom Animation

Make sure that the current animation is empty. Click the Delete Animation button in the Animation group, if necessary).

In the Geometry group, set the camera mode for the 3D Viewer as Perspective or Orthogonal.

Note: If you want to create a "Fly-around" animation you have to select a perspective camera.

Using your mouse and controls for the 3D Viewer window, set the desired view of the volume for the starting position in the animation sequence.

In the Animation group, click the Add Camera Position button.

Clicking the Add button adds the current camera position as the first position in the animation sequence.

Adjust the volume in the 3D Viewer window to the next position of the desired animation path, and click Add again.

This adds the current view as the next position in the animation sequence. Note that Image-Pro automatically applies the default number of intermediate frames to be applied between the two positions.

Repeat Step 5 for as many camera positions in the animation sequence you want to have.

When you are done adding camera positions, click the Play tool to preview the animation.

If you are happy with it, you can click the Create Movie tool to create a movie file of the animation.