Through the Interface

Autodesk Research has launched a new app via Autodesk Labs called Project Draco. Here's a description of this innovative tool:

Draco is an iPad app from Autodesk Research that makes animation as easy as sketching, without the complications of timelines, scripting, and key-framing. The interface of Draco leverages users' intuitive sense of space and time. Compared to traditional 2D animation tools, it provides a simple interface allowing users to add a rich set of subtle, continuous animation effects quickly and without technical knowledge.

By enabling the creation of dynamic (animated & interactive) media with sketch-based interfaces, our goal is to empower a wide range of users with powerful ways of thinking and communication.

Bring life to your design sketches, drawings, technical diagrams, eBooks, teaching materials, greeting cards, and much more!

Here's a quick video showing some of the results you can get using Draco:

 

 

When I first heard about Draco, I assumed it was primarily intended to be used by artists. But then I saw some example images showing how it might be used to animate mechanical illustrations…

As well as architectural…

And, of cause, the more whimsical…

Although even whimsical images can convey important messages, of course…

Looking at the Labs site, it seems the Draco iPad app is being deployed via TestFlight, Apple's testing platform. If I've understood the web-site correctly, the platform limits projects 2,000 users, so I suggest signing up promptly if you're interested in participating. Thanks in advance for your feedback!