The Model
The animation model is the set of variables, such as
position, velocity, etc, that store the state of the animation along with
the algorithm that makes their values change. It is a
mathematical model, consisting of numbers and calculations with them.
The animation model is really separate from what appears
on screen, which is merely a visual representation of the model.
They are often closely related so that they seem like the same thing.
However, the model can function without ever showing a representation
of it on screen.
Separating the model from the display means two things:
First, it means the model uses only its own
variables (like x, xVelo, xAccel, etc) and doesn't
use display properties (like loch and locv, stage width/height,
etc). If these properties are needed, variables are initialized to them
and then the variables are used.
Second, it means writing code that renders the
model. This is often done by simply setting sprite properties
equal to the model variables, but there is much more that can be done
at this step.
Rendering
Creating a visual representation of a mathematical model is called rendering.
The diagram below shows the usual way to render an animation in Director.
As a logical step, rendering includes the calculations you make to set
sprite and cast member properties, as well as Director's drawing
of the screen based on them:
In the first render step, sprite properties are set based on the variables
of the animation model. Often this is just setting the sprite properties
equal to the model variables. But with an algorithm at this step you can
scale, rotate, apply perspective, distort,
etc, the animation.
In the second render step, Director uses sprite and member
properties to set the rgb value of each pixel of the stage.
This demo is a revisit of Inventing
a Force, but separates the model from the display and gives the user
control over the first rendering step.
The important thing to note is that the animation
model is not affected by adjusting the sliders. Only the rendering
is affected.
Property lists are used as vectors
in the demo. The method of rotating the vectors is covered in Incremental
Rotation (coming).
Coordinate System
By separating the model, you can use whatever kind of coordinate system
you'd like. If you prefer to have your animation model centered
around the origin (0,0) you can do that, and part of the rendering
will be to shift the coordinates to screen coordinates. Or you can use
a 3D coordinate system or polar coordinate system,
and render from those.
Other Ways to Render in Director
There is more than one way to render an animation model:
