[vet-mm] 2D animation

Wed Sep 4 15:26:38 EST 2013

Dear list,

I'd like to confirm the use of the word flash. The plugin that allows a device to play "flash" content is one thing, but the Adobe Flash program used to create the content is another. I'm not sure what we are referencing here.

It is my understanding (I haven't had time to test it though) that Adobe Flash CS6 will export to HTML 5. So playing what I have made in Adobe Flash on different devices is becoming easier. I also find that teaching animation with this software allows my students fairly quick comprehension of the basics and an environment where some of their artistic flare can be developed.

So, what software are we looking at replacing Adobe Flash? What other programs are out there that will supplement a 2D animation curriculum? Is there anything that allows an easy 2D -> 3D conversion?

I'm still pretty new to the game, but I wasn't aware that I could use After Effects in the same way as Adobe Flash. I used Director back in the day... don't really want to look at it again...

My curriculum at the moment is mapped out as Animation and Websites (html/css) in Adobe Flash/Dreamweaver over semester 1 and Video using Premier and After Effects over semester 2.

I'd love some PD in any of the above - pretty much living off co-pilot, you tube and a couple books. Incorporating HTML 5 and CSS 3 would be good as well.

Regards,

John

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Jeanean Pritchard
Sent: Wednesday, 4 September 2013 2:41 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] 2D animation

Well everybody, I am so glad that I am not the only person feeling that Flash has had its day.

Geoff, I am interested in how you are integrating Flash with the video piece. What is it that you are specifically doing?

The good thing I am finding is the students' love affair with After Effects after having worked in Flash. Claire I think some PD in After Effects would be welcome - even in the Industry advice given a couple of years ago knowledge of After Effects was highlighted as an increasingly required skill within industry.

I agree with you both Claire and Luke, our training package has become out-dated. The problem does exist as Michelle has pointed out with VCAA specifying that Flash be used in the exam which in turn does mean we end up having to teach Flash - the exam wagging the dog is the truth Claire.

One thing I have always loved about teaching IDM is that it is exciting, creative and utilises technology. Boredom (except when writing content and students exclaim "we dooooooo this in English") is not something I am used to seeing in my students!

Jeanean

Jeanean Pritchard
Interactive Digital Media & Arts
Highview College
Maryborough Victoria 3465
jpritchard at highview.vic.edu.au<mailto:jpritchard at highview.vic.edu.au>

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au> [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Matheson, Geoff J
Sent: Friday, 30 August 2013 10:04 AM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] 2D animation

Because I've got my students integrating their assessment with a video piece, my students have been much more interested in completing the Flash animation this year. There's no doubt that Flash is quickly losing relevance in the web space, and the output formats referenced in the range statements mean that I've had to make sure my students are also aware of how to output to a website. But that doesn't mean the tool has to be irrelevant.

It's a good discussion though!

Geoff Matheson
Senior Campus Reports Co-ordinator
[cid:image001.png at 01CEA97E.AFEDBE10]

From: Luke Ellis <LEllis at loreto.vic.edu.au<mailto:LEllis at loreto.vic.edu.au>>
Reply-To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List <vet-mm at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm at edulists.com.au>>
Date: Friday, 30 August 2013 9:42 AM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List <vet-mm at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm at edulists.com.au>>
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] 2D animation

Totally agree - the training package is out-dated and the material that I teach is severely out-dated to the point that I'm embarrassed to teach it. I'm not getting the stroppiness from my students about Flash though, which is interesting. They don't even raise an eyebrow when they're creating pages in HTML that look like they are from 1997!

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au> [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of claire at warrandytehigh.vic.edu.au<mailto:claire at warrandytehigh.vic.edu.au>
Sent: Friday, 30 August 2013 9:20 AM
To: 'VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] 2D animation

I agree Michelle. Many issues of teacher development, student training, resourcing, especially as schools grapple with 1:1, BYOD and  lack of funding!

In the Range statement section of the 2D animation unit (CUFANM301A ) it says:

Animation software may include:

* Director

* Flash
* Toon Boon Studio.
and

Output formats may include:

* DIR/DCR

* FLA/SWF

* GIF
* HTML

So given "may include" is only a suggestion, the training package doesn't actually mandate the software.

The software definitely flows thru from the VCAA exam requirements.
Imagine you trained your kids in Toon Boon Studio (whatever that is?) and then the kids fronted up to the exam only to discover they had to do an animation using software they'd never seen before...
(there must be a VCAA policy on this, but it would be my worst nightmare)

Does anyone know the latest state of play with our rapidly aging training package (let's face it, in our area,  the document is dating before it even gets published!!)
Given the likelihood of a new government, where is vocational education, in general, heading?

OMG - too much to think about on a Friday :)
Claire

From:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au> [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Michelle Dennis
Sent: Thursday, 29 August 2013 10:34 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] 2D animation

The training package might not specify Adobe Flash, but the VCE Examination has a practical Flash component.  So, yes, as things stand students must learn Adobe Flash.
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/exams/vetidm/2013/2013-IDM_Software.pdf

I personally would love to see IDM move from Adobe Flash to After Effects, which offers more creative options when it comes to 2D animation.  However, there would have to be at least a two year lead time to train Unit 1&2 students in the program and it introduces an equity problem as it could be argued that After Effects requires higher spec desktops.  After all, I think this is the first year the VCAA said that they wouldn't allow Director (at last!)

Michelle Dennis
eLearning Manager
Mentone Girls' Grammar School

________________________________
From:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au> [vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au>] on behalf of Andrew Shortell [shortell at get2me.net<mailto:shortell at get2me.net>]
Sent: Thursday, 29 August 2013 9:52 PM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] 2D animation
hi Claire
if the 2d animation can be done in something other than flash and flash is not mandated ....??

have you checked the VCAA prescriptions to see if Flash is mandated in there? perhaps also past copies of the VCAA Bulletin? also check exam requirements as posted in Bulletin.

if it is not prescribed software then...

it is certainly no longer industry standard with HTML5 out in the wild and also the iPad not playing with it. I notice there are more tablets coming on the market that dont do flash either.

however -- what is the industry standard now...  and how do we get teachers up to speed quickly ... because the depth of knowledge and expertise about Flash amongst teachers is immense

I recall when we put together the study from the training package that we focussed on industry standard but I do not recall specifying actual software or platforms. (Maybe we did ?)

maybe it is time to look at updating the study ?
(where I now work does not offer IDM)

Andrew

Andrew Shortell
Educator
CRC Melton

shortell at get2me.net<mailto:shortell at get2me.net> (This List)
@acsbear8 (twitter)
VITTA<http://www.vitta.org.au/> CoM Member

On 29/08/2013, at 3:36 PM, claire at warrandytehigh.vic.edu.au<mailto:claire at warrandytehigh.vic.edu.au> wrote:

Hi Jeanean,
You've raised a really interesting question.
In fact, the PixelEd committee was talking about this at our last meeting.
I think your kids are correct, it's obvious that Flash is on it's way out and the industry has moved on.
The dilemma is that if students are aiming to maximise their study score, they need to know Flash really well - it's the exam wagging the dog, so to speak.

The training package doesn't mandate the software our kids use, so it's our need to prepare for the exam that becomes a crucial factor.

I can imagine it would be difficult if you train kids in After Effects and perhaps do the 3D elective in yr 11, and then in yr 12 have to "drag" them back to stuff they find boring and irrelevant.

If the demand is there, PixelEd could consider running some After Effects training for teachers - what do people think?
Cheers
Claire

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au> [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au<mailto:mm-bounces at edulists.com.au>] On Behalf Of Jeanean Pritchard
Sent: Thursday, 29 August 2013 12:18 AM
To: VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List (vet-mm at edulists.com.au<mailto:vet-mm at edulists.com.au>)
Subject: [vet-mm] 2D animation

Hello everyone,

I am interested to know what everyone is doing with 2D animation. My students have been so anti-flash this year - not because they find it difficult - they are finding it boring. Their interest seems to lay with special effects/animation - ie after effects - and 3D animation. Is anyone else finding a rapidly growing disinterest for Flash among students?

Jeanean Pritchard
Interactive Digital Media & Arts
Highview College
Maryborough Victoria 3465
jpritchard at highview.vic.edu.au<mailto:jpritchard at highview.vic.edu.au>

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