How to make animations/pictures for physics?

  • Thread starter gamesguru
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Physics
In summary, you can create animations and descriptive pictures for physical models using Flash, Photoshop, Inkscape, and MATLAB.
  • #1
gamesguru
85
2
How do you make animations or descriptive pictures for physical models? They're not hand drawn and I'm pretty sure it's not done in photoshop. Is there special software for this? Here's a few pictures of what I mean:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Stokes_sphere.svg/403px-Stokes_sphere.svg.png" [Broken]
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Pendulum_animation.gif" [Broken]
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/N-body_problem_(3).gif" [Broken]
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/45/Double-compound-pendulum.gif" [Broken]
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/imgmec/icyl3a.gif" [Broken]
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/imgmec/amp1.gif" [Broken]
ect...

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes 1 person
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #3
I also suggest using Flash to demostrate animations.
 
  • #4
Flash is great for that, and you can save it as an animated image within the publish settings. Another program that can animate GIFs is Fireworks. In fact it can even be done in Photoshop.

Plus with Flash, you can add user interaction.
 
  • #5
For 2-D still images like the first one on your list Inkscape would be a good candidate.

For 2-D animations Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, or Sun JavaFX, or if you want to be standards-oriented SMIL. These are also good for the purpose of creating some interactive simulations or exhibits.

For 3-D stills and animations there's POV-Ray, Blender3D, Wings3D and a variety of other options out there.

And there are special pieces of software for special applications: Celestia, for example, for some types of scenes in space.
 
  • #6
All those images/animations are done with different programs. First one is hand drawn, probably adobe flash. Second and fourth one is from a kinematic analysis/demonstration program like "working model". I saw somebody do similar stuff using excel macros but i don't know how exactly. Third one is might be from a plotter like "sigma plot" or "origin", multiple plots have been merged to a gif animation using another program, flash can do that. The most flexible platform is MATLAB where you can do all this stuff with code.
 
  • #7
Mathematica can do all of this.
 

1. How can I create animations for physics?

There are several software programs available that allow you to create animations for physics, such as Adobe Flash, Blender, and Maya. These programs offer a variety of tools and features to help you bring your physics concepts to life.

2. Do I need to have artistic skills to make animations for physics?

While having artistic skills can certainly enhance your animations, they are not necessary. Many animation software programs offer pre-made shapes and templates that you can use to create your animations. Additionally, you can also use mathematical equations and formulas to generate visuals for your physics concepts.

3. Are there any free animation software programs for physics?

Yes, there are several free animation software programs that can be used for physics, such as Animaker, Powtoon, and Pencil2D. These programs may have limited features compared to paid software, but they can still be useful for creating basic animations.

4. Can I use animations to explain complicated physics concepts?

Absolutely! In fact, animations can be a great tool for explaining complex physics concepts, as they allow for visual representation and can make difficult concepts easier to understand. Just make sure to use accurate and scientifically sound visuals in your animations.

5. What are some tips for creating effective animations for physics?

Some tips for creating effective animations for physics include using accurate and visually appealing graphics, incorporating real-life examples, using appropriate scale and proportions, and keeping the animation simple and focused on one concept at a time.

Similar threads

  • General Discussion
2
Replies
46
Views
8K
Replies
0
Views
7K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
10
Views
8K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
1
Views
2K
Back
Top