September 15, 2025

Tutorial Animation

Changes

Modified the planet's speeds so their orbital period is correct relative to each other.

Primary Data Source

Modified the planets' orbital inclination (Note Pluto) and axial tilt (Note Uranus) to be closer to that of the actual solar system.

Primary Data Source

Added a sphere light at the sun such that the planets are only lit on the side facing it.

Added textures for all planets and the sun.

Texture Source

Modified Animation

September 30, 2025

Reference Images

Model Images

Wireframe

Render

October 16, 2025

Storyboard

This animation is inspired by the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who is punished and forced to roll a boulder up a hill forever. Here, the bouncy ball takes the role of Sisyphus. The ball stretches, then begins to roll the ball up the hill. The ball and boulder are both rolled offscreen, but the attempt clearly fails, as the ball comes tumbling back into frame, followed by the boulder, crushing the ball. Then, the animation loops as the ball begins another attempt.

Principles

Squash and Stretch

The ball squashes and stretches as it impacts various surfaces and launches itself upward. It also stretches in preparation for pushing the boulder up the hill. In contrast, the boulder does not squash or stretch, emphasizing the difference in material between them.

Staging

The action of the animation is limited to a single position. However, this is used to emphasize and help the viewer predict the next events. The ball and the boulder are placed roughly at the 1/3 and 2/3 points on the screen to emphasize the main actors in the animation. The boulder is rolled up the hill and off the screen to the right. There are several seconds where nothing is occurring on screen to add some tension, before the ball plummets back into the frame. This is used to show that the ball is no longer in control of the boulder, and that the actors are definitely subject to gravity in this world. This helps to prepare the viewer for the boulder’s return and subsequent smashing of the ball.

Arcs

Arcs are used for the motion of the ball, in particular during the free fall at the end, to show that the ball is no longer in control. It has given up trying to stop itself, and is simply at the whims of gravity. This also gives it a more realistic movement

Timing

Moving the boulder up the hill is intentionally made a slow process to emphasize that this is a difficult task. The high speed at which it comes down later is also used to show that the boulder is out of control and a danger. There is also some time between the ball and the boulder coming down, intended to build some anticipation for the boulder’s arrival

Animation