Creating a RockPlot3D Animation - Solid Model Morphing

RockPlot3D - Animations | Morph

Use this program to create an animation of a solid model morph, originally generated in the RockWorks | Graphics | Animate | Solid Morphing Menu

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Frame Size: Click this tab to define the frame dimensions.
  • Frame Dimensions (Pixels)
    • Width: This will default to the width of the current RockPlot3D view window, in pixels. Adjust as you like.
    • Height: This will default to the height of the current window, in pixels. Adjust as you like.
    • Keep Aspect Ratio: Check this option to keep the output image width:height ratio the same. If checked, as you edit either of the Width or Height settings, above, the other will be updated automatically.
• AVI (Video): Check this option to output the animation to an AVI video file.
  You can request output of all types - AVI, Animated GIF, and Image Files at the same time. However, because the movies can be large and take some time, we generally recommend generating the different types of output files individually.
  Click this tab to access the AVI settings.
  • AVI Output File Name: Enter the name to be assigned to the AVI file to be generated. The default file name extension is AVI.
  • FPS (Frames per Second): This setting determines how fast the rotation should be. The default is 2 frames per second. Increase this value to make the image spin faster (more frames per second), decrease this value to make it spin more slowly.
  • Skip Compression Options: Check this box to use the default compression for the AVI file. If left unchecked, you will be prompted, after clicking the Process button, to choose a compression method. (See below.)
  • Show Output in Default Viewer: Check this box for the resulting AVI file to be loaded into the default player on your computer.
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• Animated GIF: Check this option to output the animation to an animated GIF file. Click this tab to access the GIF options.
  • GIF Output File Name: Enter the name to be assigned to the animated GIF animation file.
  • Show Output in Default Viewer: Check this box for the resulting GIF file to be loaded into the default player on your computer.
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• Image Files: Check this option to output individual frames as BMP images, for later assembly into an animation using a separate movie-making software program, including the RockWorks PicShow program. Click on this tab to access the image settings.
  • Output Folder: Browse for the folder where the BMP images are to be stored.
  • File Name Prefix: The frame images will be numbered automatically and sequentially, as 0001.bmp, 0002.bmp, and so on. If you'd like any characters stored in front of the numbers, enter that here. For example, entry of a prefix of "plume" would generate file names "plume0001.bmp," "plume0002.bmp," etc.
  • Save Image List as a PicShow Input File: Check this option to save the file list as an RwDat file for use in the PicShow program. Click on the name prompt to assign a name for this .RwDat file.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. If necessary, create or open the RockPlot3D scene (Rw3D file) containing the solid model morph that you wish to export. (See Opening a RockPlot3D View.)
2. Adjust the image view to your satisfaction. This includes, but is not limited to, the rotation angle, zoomed-in state, vertical exaggeration, window size, and model filtering. Keep in mind the size of the AVI viewing window you will be using when you set the RockPlot3D window size.
3. Click on the Animations | Morph menu option.
4. You should see the name(s) of the solid model morph(s) contained in the current scene. Click on the one you wish to animate.
5. To save the morphed movie as an AVI file, click the Create Video button in the Morphing Options window.
6. Enter the requested information, described above.
7. Click OK.

   The program will run the morph sequence in background memory.
   ! The view will not re-render for the animation production - all you'll see on the screen is the lower status bar changing as the morphed views are generated.
   ! This process can be slow, depending on the length of the movie.

8. If you have not suppressed the Video Compression window, prior to saving the AVI file, the program will prompt you for the desired CODEC (COmpress/DECompress) technique to reduce the size of the resulting AVI.
   • Which to choose? The most reliable option is to choose Uncompressed. However, the compression options can greatly help to reduce the output file size for large videos.
   • The best CODEC to use may depend on your computer's setup - some may work better than others and some may not be supported at all. You can see a list of Video CODECs installed on your computer by starting Windows Media Player, choose Help / About, and click on the Technical Support Information link.

The completed movie will be stored under the requested AVI file name, Animated GIF file name, and/or individual BMP frame names.

If you've requested that the animation be played, the AVI and/or Animated GIF movies will be loaded into your default video player.

If you have requested Image files be listed in an RwDat file for use in the RockWorks PicShow, you will see that program. Click the Play button to play the PicShow.

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