Factual Programming and The Key to Technical Animations

By Tim McGarvey


Developing complex products or processes is supported greatly by the use of computer generated imagery (CGI) to create engineering animations during the design, test and marketing phases. Engineering animations can also be used to explain complex processes or to recreate events, such as airline crashes, industrial accidents, disasters etc. for television news or fantasy programs.

Engineering animations can also be used to design and build complex structures in 3D or to investigate mechanical engineering failures for use in litigation involving industrial accidents. Also known as mechanical animations or technical animations, the process of creating this kind of CGI involves the use of mathematical and scientific principles to model components. 3D artist can create exact models while at the same time adding lots of realistic, visually interesting details, which helps viewers remain engaged in the presentation. In this way, it's possible to build and test products before building expensive prototypes. Even things that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as things happening on a molecular scale, or medical devices and how the work inside a body, can be created for easy visualization.

These animations are often used in television or video production, especially information heavy stories that need to be explained quickly to viewers, such as information related to mechanical failures that cause disasters or accidents. When conducting accidents or disasters these 3D animations can also be used for engineering failure analysis. Engineering animations are create using special software, which builds exact replicas of structures or machines and then can be used to look at complex issues such as load distribution or stress evaluations.

Engineering animations covers a broad spectrum, from product and conceptual animations to process animations, training animations, medical devices and processes and architectural and design. Conceptual animation can be used to design, test and pitch product ideas to investors or research and development teams. Product development is costly and if a product can be streamlined or improved in the 3D design stage, the prototype phase will be more successful.

These types of animations can also be used when marketing a new product, explaining product benefits quickly and clearly and by helping to create more exciting, visual sales presentations. It has been shown that visual aids such as 3D animations of complex products or information increases viewer retention, which is a plus when producing video productions, television series, training materials or when presenting at trial.




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