Online Computer Animation Degree Programs: Both Fun and RewardingA few of us can remember the day when 2 dimensional animation on Nintendo video games seemed like sci fi come true. Today, that’s old stuff, and the new full color spectrum 3-D animation technology is employed not only in computer and video games but also in engineering, medicine, advertising and a host of other places. Featured Online Schools:
Recall for a moment the old drawing boards where engineers used slide rules, pencil and paper to design new machines. For years, the advances of CAD (computer aided design) and then Auto-CAD made possible thinks the pencil pushers could only dream of. Now, however, the new animated 3D design programs—Solid Works comes to mind—enable engineers to not only design a new machine, but to also put and animated person to work in front of the machine, thus observing the ease of real-life interaction between human and the machine itself. Computer animation is also used in medicine where researchers can experiment in safe and humane ways as they use visual effects to determine the efficacy of new procedures or medications. Another area where 3D animation can be used to save thousands of lives is with weather prediction and the tracking of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. Scientists are able to make predictions and track such events with very small margins of error, thus being able to warn communities of the need to evacuate hours before a disaster actually occurs. Of course, when people think of 3D animation, the most popular use is probably entertainment for both animated movie production and for computer or video games. In fact, the making of movies today is much safer than just 50 years ago when dangerous situations actually had to be created and performed by professional “stunt” people. Today, the most visually terrifying events can actually be completely animated on large computer screens which create the illusion of danger to the characters of the stories. Those of us watching in the comfort of our easy chairs usually have no idea that the raging fire or exploding building on the TV is actually just a computer animation behind the actors. Video games, too, have taken a dramatic leap into a sci-fi like reality in just the past year or two. What modern child doesn't have a Wii with which he can interact in sports like T-ball, golf, bowling, wrestling and much more? If you enjoy participating in 3D technology, perhaps you would also enjoy a study program in which you would learn to create and apply this most modern of all computer developments. Your primary focus is likely to be finding the schools with the program most intriguing to you, as there are dozens of specialties and applications within this fascinating field. |
