31.7.08

Binocular Telescope For Stargazers

Kids know the secret of life. If one is good then two must surely be better. As adults, it is not always the case, but in astronomy, two is a definite must have for the serious stargazer.

The binocular telescope is comprised of twin telescopes mounted on one axis. This is a long way from the original telescope invented back in the 1600s. By mounting twin telescopes, it gave a much better sharper magnification for the viewer.

While not limited to dedicated research installations, the binocular telescope has begun to make its way to the amateur stargazer as well. While a standard set of binoculars could be used for astronomy purposes, telescope binoculars are built for this task.

Usually employing larger objective lenses and focal lengths than their handheld cousins, higher levels of magnification are capable. Additionally, due to their size, they are often required to be mounted to a tripod or some other form of fixed mount. This allows them to be portable, if not handheld.

Those great perks of a binocular telescope do come with a hefty price tag. Unlike monoculars and binoculars that normally go for around $100, these stargazing telescopes can be around $1000. It is a steep enough price tag and not something that many would just buy a young child for his or her birthday.

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29.7.08

Binoculars For Viewing

At one point in time, the only way to see a distant object in more detail was to move closer to it. But today we have binoculars.

Through the use of optical systems or specialized prisms, the viewer is presented with a larger image, as if they were much closer to the object they wished to view. Military personnel, astronomy fans and nature enthusiasts, just to name a few, now employ binoculars for professional and recreational activities.

Binoculars have come quite a long way since their early beginnings and the first set was made by mounting identical twin telescopes side by side. By using two identical telescopes, a distant object was able to be seen with some sense of depth perception.

The lenses used were convex and concave, but they did not have much magnification power. New lenses use prisms and are able to offer the viewer a better sense of depth perception, color and brightness.

Binoculars come in many shapes and forms to fit any viewer's need. You can choose from a marine waterproof binocular, to the small hand held opera glasses that are used to see within a relatively close range. Outdoor enthusiasts typically need a 7x to 12x magnification, with 30 mm to 50 mm objective lenses.

The amateur astronomer is more likely to be concerned with the field of view rather than lots of magnification power. There is something, literally, for everyone when it comes to improved vision binoculars. You just have to find the right set for the job, and at the right price.

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27.7.08

Digital Binoculars To Capture The Image

Digital binoculars, as well as digital monoculars, are great devices to use to show off your latest sighting. Otherwise, it winds up with you having to tell the story and lacking the visual cues that go along with it.

The story is great but it could have been better had you some pictures to go along with the tale. Digital camera binoculars combine the best of two worlds. It features binoculars for seeing things in the distance and a digital camera for recording those images. It allows you to show other people what you have seen and will make that story even more fantastic.

While there are many models of digital camera binoculars offered by different vendors, considering your needs will assist you in choosing a model. Clear, well defined images will require a higher resolution (i.e. megapixel count), whereas lower resolutions (one megapixel or less) will be like those pictures captured by the earliest digital cameras and camera phones.

Video capture capabilities, in addition to still picture capture, are the key features for many users. Many models include the option to record video for up to 30 seconds before the button needs to be pressed, effectively saving the past! The ability to expand the camera's memory, battery life, connectively to a PC (to save or edit the pictures and video), and the light weight are additional aspects to consider when choosing digital binoculars.

There are better digital camera binoculars being produced and invented daily. And of course, digital binoculars, because they are made from two different technologies, may not measure up to the binoculars and digital cameras sold as separate devices. There will always be better binoculars and better digital cameras because size is not an issue for them.

But you will not be disappointed by the digital camera binoculars on the market today. It's just a matter of look, press and save.

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25.7.08

Computer Animation Schools To Improve Your Career Prospects

You have probably played some type of video game on your computer, but have you ever considered a career in it? If you are interested in that type of employment or any type of animation, then consider enrolling in a course at one of the computer animation schools near you. There are many varied fields of study allowing you to decide what type of training would be best to meet your goals.

It may surprise you to learn that there is a great deal more to animation than meets the eye. There are several different types of animation and graphics; as well as many different levels of skill involved with each type.

Check out some of the computer animation schools and see if they have something that interests you. An animation career is very rewarding and always changing, as new techniques are learned and applied.

Perhaps the best reason to consider formal education in this area is the fact that there is a huge demand for people who have development and design skills. Check out one of the many computer animation schools available and work towards earning a computer animation degree.

This is a field of interest that will not be phasing out any time soon; it just keeps getting bigger and better.

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23.7.08

Computer Animation Jobs To Enhance Your Career

Do you like computers? Are you fascinated with the different types of graphics and animations you see online? Then for you, computer animation jobs may be worth checking out.

There are several different types of specialties within the industry that allow you to design and create animations. This is a career that will not only continue to challenge and stimulate your imagination for years to come but will also be one that you will adore.

Even the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences offer internships to qualified individuals who are interested in computer animation jobs. Unlike a regular internship, they also offer a salary and are great about allowing creative freedom to the potential employees.

Some animators have been around long before computers were used in the industry. When asked if they prefer traditional animation or computer animation, you would most likely get a similar answer from all of them. They say that it is not what medium or tool you choose to use, but how well you complete the project that is important.

If you like the idea of getting to create animations, then you should work towards getting a computer animation degree and start applying to the numerous computer animation jobs that are available. It is a fascinating field that has several different specialties so you are sure to find something that you would truly enjoy.

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21.7.08

Computer Animation Boosts Interest In Movies

Do you remember when computers first came out? It was truly a momentous occasion that will be hard to top. If you are old enough to remember the early days of computers, then you are probably pretty impressed with all of the technological advances that have been made within the industry.

One of the biggest advances is in the form of animation; computer animation to be specific. The improvements made within a relatively short span of time are incredibly awesome.

All types of animations, including computer animation, depend heavily on motion control. Naturally, many of the earlier animators were actually scientists rather than artists and as such, scripting systems were developed and this resulted in the animator actually writing a program, or script to control the animation. Most of the earlier systems did not have the computer power needed for optimum results.

Many people assume that when you refer to computer animation you are talking about 3D animations. However, if you use applications such as PowerPoint, you are normally creating a project using 2D animations. Using a computer to create 2D animations is a faster method of creating the type of animations that would have normally been hand-painted on cels.

3D animation, however, is an area where the computer shows clear superiority over hand-drawn animation. Not to mention the fact that it is impossible to produce by hand all of the tens of thousands of drawings needed for an animated film.

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19.7.08

Animation Competition To Increase Your Skills

Animations and graphics are a very popular and continuously growing area in the computer industry. If you get the chance, then you should check out an animation competition to see how many new and cool animations are being developed.

There are usually improvements on existing techniques, as well as brand new animations being showcased. Many times, companies will make job offers to the contestants, as well making it equally fun and rewarding.

To see the impact that computer animation has on the population, all you have to do is turn on your television. Saturday morning cartoon animations have made their way into prime time.

Perhaps shows, such as King of The Hill and The Simpson's were a result of an animation competition, or at least a principal part of their inception. The same people that compete in these types of contests design many of these types of shows.

Children are becoming more involved every year with computers, as graphics and animations are being used to teach certain curriculum. Many of the larger companies will also host an animation competition designed just for children.

Most of the categories are similar to other competitions, yet are scaled down both in size and skill level to accommodate the different ages and skills of the kids. They are thrilled to have the chance to create new and cool animations and learn new techniques as well.

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17.7.08

Free Animation For Your Website

When you watch a motion picture, you are seeing the most common method of presenting animation, which is the rapid display of a sequence of positions to create the illusion of movement. It was not that long ago that if you were to search the term "free animation" on the internet, you would not have had many matches returned.

If you happen to run across art animations, or any type of work that is interesting to you while surfing the web and would like to add it to your site or just save it on your computer, then do you automatically assume it is a free animation? Do you check to see if they request that you do not download their work or if you do, then please link back to them? If so, do you do as they request?

Not everyone has the creative ability to design their website to look like they imagine it and at times will "borrow" 3D animations, gif animations along with other graphics or images they see on the internet. The legal issue of free animation and graphics has been around since the first public sites started appearing around 1993.

One individual may have obtained permission to use the works from the owner and put it on their site; however, if someone sees it on their site they cannot just use it, as they have to obtain permission from the original owner as well.

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15.7.08

3D Computer Animation Add Interest Your Movies And Websites

What is animation? The term actually covers a variety of different applications and genres, but the technical definition is the filming of a sequence of drawings or positions to create an illusion of motion.

However, in our modern computer world, the two major categories are 2D and 3D computer animation, which until fairly recently, was a trade that normally only involved the entertainment industry.

Thanks to an ever-growing desire to computerize everything within the industry, what once time took a team of animators a great deal of time using pencils, cels and paint, can now be accomplished with one individual and one computer.

Although similar in some ways to 2D animations, 3D computer animation is a different process, as a scene being done in 3D is created long before any actual animation begins. Even in general terms, most people automatically think 3D when they are speaking or reading about computer animation, partly due to its flexibility.

Who uses 3D computer animation? A partial list would include government agencies, architects, web designers, chemical companies, engineers, as well as for advertising just about every type of product imaginable.

3D animation designs sells products, teaches students and presents information in new and more understandable ways. Depending on the type of animation desired, the process can be wholly computerized or in other cases, some of the cartoon animations may still need hand-penciling work.

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13.7.08

Create Animation To Grab Attention

Sometimes, no matter how much traffic is driven to a website, the overall design of the site fails to catch or keep the viewer's attention. Most owners feel that a snazzy/catchy site will hold the potential customers attention long enough to generate some sales. This is one reason why designers will continue to create animation and graphics on a regular basis.

If you plan to use a computer to create animation or any other type of graphic work, then the faster your processor is the better off you will be. Computer animations can be 2D or 3D animations, and a good animator will make them look as close to real life as possible. Since you will likely be generating quite a few files when you create animations, it is also a good idea to upgrade your hard drive to something larger.

To run 2D or 3D animations software programs you will need a computer that has sufficient system requirements, such as memory, to run them, which will eliminate the need for any paper and pencils. However, some of the graphics, such as 2D animations cartoons still require penciling by hand before scanning to the computer.

The basic tools needed to create animation by computer are a system that will be able to run the software programs you will need, and of course the ability to use the programs.

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11.7.08

Flash Animations Adds Interactivity To Websites

The internet is full of flash animations, which is streaming animation used on web pages. Macromedia/Adobe owns the Flash software and you can find Flash menus, Flash buttons and many Flash components covering an entire website or it may just be a small part of an html site.

The desired effect of Flash is the appearance of an object that evolves smoothly into the final object. This is accomplished with either "motion tweening" or "shape tweening."

What do Flash animations have to do with a website? Hopefully, it will catch customer's eyes and bring them back to your site time and again. In this age of information technology everyone from your Great Aunt Sue to your first grade teacher has a website. Making your site stand out in the crowd is a tall order and that is where computer animations and art animations have a chance to shine.

Now that you are a little more aware of the power of the internet, check out a few computer animation programs and learn how to spice up your site with 3D animations, 2D Flash animations, animations video or gif animations.

A well designed website will make a portfolio, with its limited space and time, pretty much obsolete. So, as you look outside your window in sunny California, just imagine your website being seen by potential customers in Iceland, Timbuktu or Nunavut.

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9.7.08

Computer Animation Software To Create Your Own Animations

If you are interested in computer graphics or animation, then you are in luck. There have been some amazing advances in that field, and as a result there are some great computer animation software programs available.

Whether you are interested in creating cartoon animations for business or if you want to create animations for personal use, this is a great time to get started.

A computer is just a tool, so without a skilled artist at the drawing board or moving the mouse, nothing can be created. And, artists need proven solutions and programs that they can depend on in order to produce the wonderful images they do.

Computer animation software helps teach the skills needed to be a successful animator. Computer animation has been called a healthy marriage between art and science. That seems to say it all.

If you have children, then you may be interested in learning about computer animation programs that are available for them. Through fun games, animated tutorials and even vocabulary sections, children learn the essential computer skills they will need when using other computer animation software, even on the preschool level.

Check out several programs, as some even have bonus items, such as a My First Software mouse pad and extra books.

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7.7.08

Better Business Advice For Design Services

Owning your own business produces several different emotions; excitement, doubt and even fear. This is completely normal and pretty much everyone goes through the same thing. However, for some reason many people feel uncomfortable asking for business advice.

Unfortunately, that is one of the areas where information and advice are most needed; guesswork does not provide the knowledge that is necessary to succeed in the business world.

Business marketing is another area that most owners really need to understand in order to make a profit. There are consultants and experts for nearly every area of business management and you should avail yourself of their knowledge.

When you first start your business your number one thought it will likely be, "how is my company going to make money." However, as your company grows, the need for a different business marketing plan may be necessary. At that point, you should start looking for business advice and assistance from professionals who provide this type of planning for a living.

Naturally, most people want to start a business based on something they really enjoy doing. Unfortunately, this is not always the right path. Experts offering business advice tell us that this may result in failure for the business.

Basing your business on something you want to do, such as computer graphics, brochure design or any other number of things while ignoring a realistic business environment may result in failure.

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5.7.08

Advertising Design And Graphic Design Process

When starting a new advertising design project, along with most other design projects, there are steps in the graphic design process to follow that will help you achieve the best results possible.

Rather than jumping right in with the graphics software program and going straight to a final version, you can save time and energy by first researching the product, starting with simple sketches and asking for critiques.

In the world of advertising the competition is fierce, so your work needs to stand head and shoulders above the rest. For example, when you are working on an advertising design project you will, of course, want to know what the client has in mind, yet you want your work to be creative and unique, as a statement of your skills. This may also lead to more work for you if people like the finished project.

Some designers may be offended if a client is not completely thrilled with what they were offered. However, a good designer knows that most clients prefer to mix and match, choosing their favorite element from each advertising design sample, in order to create something different.

It just makes good business sense to have the client involved in the whole project from beginning to end. However, if they do ask you which you prefer, then speak up and give your creative opinion.

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3.7.08

Graphic Design Company Built For Success

Ok, you are already an "expert" in graphic design, with extensive experience, as well as a few well placed contacts. So what can this do for you? You may want to consider starting your own graphic design company, and this is especially good if you have any prior business experience.

Running your own company gives you a tremendous amount of leeway in your life, as well as utilizing all of your creative skills. If you are also adept at web design, then your services will be in even greater demand.

Write everything down when you are organizing your business plan. Some things may seem completely obvious to you, but write it down anyway. What is going to set your graphic design company apart from other businesses?

Are there services that you can offer that are superior or unique to what the competition is offering? What is going to put you ahead of the competition? Making this type of business plan will also give you a much better chance of getting a small business loan from a bank.

Starting out as a freelancer in graphic design may be an important stepping-stone to creating your own custom designs. But as with any endeavor, such as owning your own graphic design company, you need to be aware that there are risks involved.

Do you have regular clients that you can count on to generate an income on a consistent basis? Have you got enough money saved to help with dry spells?

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1.7.08

Signage For Business

There are many different types of graphic and design terms that may have more than one meaning. For example, you may think that when you are referring to more than one sign it would be signs.

However, in the world of graphics and designing the word signage means more than one sign and refers to using signs and symbols. For an example of this think about a bus station, as there you will see graphics that were developed as part of a whole system.

Surprisingly, little communication goes on in some communities about the use and over-use of signs to communicate information that usually has a direct effect on public safety. The local government says that safety is its first priority, but the sign and print design committee and the planning committee all have differing views as well.

They often refer to this type of signage as "visual clutter" and most areas find it very difficult to come to an agreement about the placement of signs.

Subway signs, airport signs and road signs on a highway are all examples of signage systems. These differ from other groups because they guide a person through a physical area.

They may include arrows, maps, color coding, pictograms and they are visually oriented information systems.

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