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Spin
   
"Spin" is the simplest of the rotating animations. It's a bit reminicent of those "spinning newspaper" shots you see in old movies where they're trying to indicate major plot developments with dramatic headlines. Since there's no spiralling effect the facial distortion factor is almost nil. The files are also moderately small.
Name: 
Spin
Price: 
$4:15 per image and $10 for handling (eg $51:50 for a 10 image swf)
No. of images: 
2-12 (more images negotiable)
Available sizes: 
120 x 120 pixels & 100 x 100 pixels (alternate sizes negotiable)
File size (for 120x120): 
Approximately 30k for 3 images and 10k for every extra image (eg 100k for 10)
Image dimensions: 
(for 120x120 square swf) 170 x 170 pixels,   (for 100x100 square swf) 142 x 142 pixels,
(for 120x120 round swf) 120 x 120 pixels,   (for 100x100 round swf) 100 x 100 pixels,  
See "size option" diagrams below for alignment
Transition duration: 
Transition from one image to the next is 20 frames at 12 frames per second, or 1.67 seconds
Pros: 
Medium file size, no facial distortion during transition
Cons: 
Higher per-image cost

Step 2: Select a size and shape

Square SWF size options
Square pic size 120

170 x 170 pixel images for a 120 x 120 pixel square SWF

"Spin" is a rotating animation. In a square format all its component images have to be approximately 42% higher and wider than the final SWF.
The GIF on the left (170 x 170 pixels) represents the minimum image area necessary for a 120 X 120 pixel square SWF. The black areas are never seen and the grey areas are only visible during the transitions so make sure everything you want seen clearly is contained in the white area. You may copy this GIF for reference when sizing and cropping your images. It can be used as a semi-transparent layer in Photoshop, or similar software package, to help align your images and make sure the image's focal point (centre of rotation) is exactly where you want it to be.

Square pic size 100

142 x 142 pixel images for a 100 x 100 pixel square SWF

The GIF on the left (142 x 142 pixels) represents the minimum image area necessary for a 100 X 100 pixel square SWF. Once again, keep everything you want clearly seen in the white area and feel free to copy this GIF for reference purposes.

Round SWF size options
circle pic size 120

120 x 120 pixel images for a 120 x 120 pixel round SWF (Background must be specified)

The GIF on the left (120 x 120 pixels) represents the minimum image area necessary for a 120 X 120 pixel round SWF. The black areas are never seen so make sure everything you want seen clearly is contained in the white area. Unlike the square format, which covers the entire area of the SWF, the round format has a background (represented by the black areas on the GIF). If a background image is required then it must be supplied. If a colour other than white is required then it must be specified (eg. Red-255, Green-0, Blue-0 / R255, G0, B0 / #FF0000 all of which mean red) or send an image of the flat colour.
circle 100

100 x 100 pixel images for a 100 x 100 pixel round SWF (Background must be specified)

The GIF on the left (100 x 100 pixels) represents the minimum image area necessary for a 100 X 100 pixel round SWF. Once again, keep everything you want clearly seen in the white area and supply any images or specify any colours you want for the background (the black areas on the GIF).

Step 3: Specify the length
Specifying the length and timing of your animation
Image 1
Transition Image 1-2
Image 2
Transition Image 2-3
Image 3
Transition Image 3-1
Pic 1 Transition 1-2 Pic 2 Transition 2-3 Pic 3
 Transition 3-1  

All the animations on this site play at 12 frames per second (different frame rates can be negotiated). When calculating the time or number of frames each image is visible between transitions it is necessary to take into account:

  • How many images you want to include (All the preformatted animations can include up to 12 images. Provision for larger numbers can be negotiated)
  • How long you want each image to remain visible (This may be longer for a sample of text than for a photo)
  • How long you want the total length of the animation to be (Remember to take into account the time each transition will add. For "Spin" the transitions are 20 frames or 1.67 seconds long)
  • Whether or not the animation will loop continuously or remain on the last image (A looping animation requires an extra transition from the last image back to the first)

A clear, unambiguous specification for a looping animation would read like this.

TYPE: Spin
FRAME RATE: 12 frames per second
SIZE: 100 x 100 pixels
Image 1 (ceo.jpg) =36 frames
Transition 1-2 =20 frames
Image 2 (product.jpg) =48 frames
Transition 2-3 =20 frames
Image 3 (graph.gif) = 12 frames
Transition 3-1 =20 frames
Loop continuously
TOTAL = 156 frames or 13 seconds per loop

The same animation playing once and remaining on Image 3 would read like this.

TYPE: Spin
FRAME RATE: 12 frames per second
SIZE: 100 x 100 pixels
Image 1 (ceo.jpg) =36 frames
Transition 1-2 =20 frames
Image 2 (product.jpg) =48 frames
Transition 2-3 =20 frames
Image 3 (graph.gif) remains at the end of Transition 2-3
TOTAL = 124 frames or 10.33 seconds from Image 1 to Image 3

Remember, if you want it right FIRST time, be specific.
Step 4: Go through the checklist click here for the Checklist page