AVI

Audio-Video Interleave (AVI) is the standard format for Windows multimedia movie files.

Animation

The process of adding movement to objects, textures, lighting, and camera. These are based from frames in a timeline where interpolated key frames control object movement through calculus function curves.

CD

An optical storage medium which stores digital data through pits, or tiny indentations on the silver surface of the disc. The compact disc is a nonmagnetic metal disc with a protective plastic coating which is read by a laser which shines onto the disc surface. The data is interpreted by the way in which the laser light is reflected from the indentations on the disc.

CD-R

Compact Disc-Recordable is a type of CD-ROM that can store digital data by writing once with a CD recorder. Instead of mechanically pressing a CD with indentations, a CD-R writes data to a disc by using it's laser to physically burn pits into the organic dye, a photosensitive organic compound made from Phthalocyanine or Azo.

CD-RW

Compact Disc-Rewritable is a type of CD-ROM that can store digital data by writing multiple times with a CD-Rewritable recorder. In place of the CD-R disc's dye-based recording layer, CD-RWs commonly use a crystalline compound made up of a mix of silver, indium, antimony and tellurium. The recorder then uses a high laser power, which is called "Write Power", which creates indentations in the recording layer. The recorder can also utilize a middle laser power, also known as "Erase Power", which then melts the recording layer and converts it to a reflective crystalline (flat) state.

Camera

This is the eye of the scene. Whatever the camera can see…you can see.

Codec

Stands for compressor and de-compressor. The type of compressor used to create the video must match the de-compressor required to play the video. Most codecs are available free for download via the Internet automated by your common media player.

Compression

Reducing the digital data in a video frame, typically from nearly one megabyte to 300 kilobytes or less, by throwing away information the eye can't see. JPEG, Motion-JPEG, MPEG, DVD indeo, fractal and Wavelet are all video compression schemes.

DVD

"Digital Video Disc" or "Digital Versatile Disc" advocating technology intended to replace current digital storage formats, such as laserdisc, CD-ROM, and audio CDs. These discs are designed to store greater amounts of data than traditional CDs thereby resulting in outstanding graphical quality. For example, the single digital format of dvd is a standard single-layered, single-sided disc that can store 4.7 GB of data.

Diffused Light

Indistinctly illuminates relatively large area. Produces soft light quality with soft shadows.

Editing

The process of adding to a post rendered credits, adding transitions such as "fade to black" or "cross dissolve", adjusting sections in an animation.

Encoding

The process of compressing and translating a large number of sequentially numbered images or video signal into a video file format suitable for various computer platforms and performances.

Fade

Gradual diminishing or heightening of visual and/or audio intensity. "Fade Out" or "Fade to Black," "Fade in" or "up from Black" are common terms.

Frame

1) One complete image. In NTSC video a frame is composed of two fields equaling one 30th of a second. 2) The viewable area or composition of an image.

Freeze Frame

Single frame paused and displayed for an extended period during video playback; suspended motion perceived as still snapshot.

Horizontal Resolution

Specification denoting an amount of discernible detail across a screen's width. Measured in pixels, the higher the number the better the picture quality.

Interlaced Video

Interlaced video is where each frame of the video is divided into two fields. The first field is called the upper field and contains the topmost horizontal scan lines of the frame. The second field is called the lower field which contains the lowermost horizontal scan lines of the frame. A Television displays the all the upper fields first, and then displays all the lower fields in order to fill in the alternating gaps left by the upper fields. One NTSC video frame which is displayed approximately every 1/30th of a second, contains two interlaced fields, displayed approximately every 1/60th of a second each. PAL and SECAM videos display frames at 1/25 of a second and contain two interlaced fields displayed 1/50th of a second each.

Lighting

Adding lights to a scene. These can be colored to give various warm glows and effects, spot lighted to include one area of emphasis, or regular to brighten up the scene.

Ligos®

Ligos Corporation is the designer of the MPEG codec used to encoder our animation. In the case where DVD quality is used, a ligos software player is required.

Long Shot

Camera view of a subject or scene, usually from a distance, showing a broad perspective.

Modeling

Building objects in a 3-D environment based off vertices, edges, and polygons with xyz coordinates.

Medium Shot

Defines any camera perspective between long shot and close-up, whereby subject are viewed from medium distance. (See close-up, long shot.)

Non-interlaced Video

Process of scanning complete frames in one pass, painting every line on the screen, yielding higher picture quality than that of interlaced video. Most computers produce a non-interlaced video signal' NTSC is interlaced. Also referred to as progressive scan.

Nonlinear Editing

Digital "random access" editing that uses a hard drive instead of tape to store images. Random access allows easy arrangement of scenes in any order. Also eliminates the need for rewinding and allows for multiple dubs without generation loss.

NTSC

National Television Systems Committee is a group formed by the Federal Communications Commission to regulate U.S. television broadcasting specifications. NTSC refers to all video systems conforming to this 525-line 59.94 -field-per-second signal standard. (See PAL)

Objects

Something perceptible in a 3-D environment.

PAL

Phase Alternate Line is a 625-line, 50-field-per-second television signal standard used in Europe and South America. Incompatible with NTSC. (See NTSC)

PMS

Pentone Matching System, which in graphic arts and printing, is a standard system of ink color specification consisting of a swatch book in which each of about 500 colors is assigned a number.

Pan Horizontal

Camera pivot, right to left or left to right, from a stationary position. Follows a subject, redirects viewer's attention from one subject to another, shows relationships between subjects, follows subjects as they move through a scene and scans subjects too large to fit into one shot.

Point of View

Shot perspective whereby the camera assumes the subject's point of view, and thus the viewer's see what the subject sees as if through his/her/its eyes.

Post Production

Any video production activity following initial recording. Typically involves editing, addition of background music, voiceover, sound effects, titles and/or various electronic visual effects. Results in completed production.

RGB

Stands for red, green and blue, respectively. Values associated with these three components combine to make up specific colors.

Raw Footage

The unedited recordings as shot in the camcorder.

Real Time

Occurring immediately, without delay for rendering. If a transition occurs in real time, there is no waiting; the computer creates the effect or transition on the fly, showing it on demand.

Rendering

The processing a computer undertakes when creating an applied effect, transition or composite. For example, when the computer takes a 3-D scene and calculates an image for each frame. This results in a large number of sequentially numbered images.

S-Video

Also known as Y/C video, signal type employed with DV, HiB and S-VHS video formats. Transmits chrominance and luminance portions separately via multiple wires, thereby avoiding a composite signal and the inevitable picture quality degradation that results.

SECAM

Video format used mostly by France and French speaking countries.

Scene

The general product including modeled objects with textures applied, lighting, camera, and animation.

Single Frame Images

Images reproduced from freeze frames. (See Freeze Frame)

Spotlight

Radiates a well-defined directional beam of light, casting hard, distinct shadows. Best used for individual subjects, whereas floodlights blanket broader areas.

Textures

Adding colors, rough surfaces, designs, and transparencies to modeled objects.

Time Line Editing

A computer based method of editing in which video and audio clips are represented on a computer screen by bars proportional to the length of the clip.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator is a statement that specifies an Internet identifying number used for moving from site to site on the World Wide Web, otherwise known as a web address.

Vertical Resolution

Specification denoting an amount of discernible detail across a screen's height. Measured in pixels, the higher the number the better the picture quality.

Voiceover

Narration accompanying the picture usually heard above background sound or music. Talking is typically applied to an edited visual during post-production.

Zoom Variance

A measure of focal length brining the subject into and out of close up range. Lens capability permits change from wide-angle to telephoto, or vice versa, in one continuous move. "Zoom in" and "Zoom out" are common terms.