ANIMA: An Interactive Tool for Scientific Data Animation

Abstract

This paper describes an animation interactive system that produces image sequences used to study the numerical results of scientific simulations. The fundamental goal of the system is to provide an easy method for observing and exploring scientific computation during its space-time evolution. To do that it is necessary to combine simulation processes, algorithmic and key frame animation with geometric transformations, light effects and camera movements. ANIMA allows the researcher to use animation without special programming, with the aid of a graphic user interface. Modelling, rendering, motion control and synchronization of graphic objects are interactively specified by the animator in order to define an animation script. The system development methodology follows an object-oriented technique using modular programming, abstract data type definition, and graphic metaphor with user interface menus.