ANIMATRONICS

Presented By:Merin Mariam Thomas

CONTENTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Introduction Animatronics Definition

Formation of Animatronics
Inner Working Programming Advantages Disadvantages Applications Conclusion

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INTRODUCTION
Animatronics is the use of electronics and robotics in puppets to make them appear to be alive. Also refer to as Audio-Animatronics.

Created by Walt Disney employee Lee Adams.

Now its a registered trademark.

ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM

The first use of audio- animatronics was for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. It is a room full of tropical creatures (Tiki Birds) that synchronize eye and facial action with a musical score entirely by electromechanical means.

Enchanted Tiki Room

WHAT IS ANIMATRONICS
Animatronics is a combination of animation & electronics. An animatronic is mechanized puppet. It may be preprogrammed or remotely controlled.

FORMATION OF ANIMATRONICS
1.Design Process
The client & the company decide what the character will be, the budgets and time lines. Converting 2D ideas into 3D forms. Creates the molds that will ultimately produce the character skins. Various body armatures created will be assembled in the metal-fabricating areas.

2 Sculpting
3.Moldmaking

4.Armature Fabrication 5.Costuming 6.Programming

The costume is tailored to the character and its movements. The final step. All the individual moves are coordinated into complex animated actions.

The best possible combination of animatronics & digital effects were used together. Spinosaurus was a new dinosaur animatronic created for "Jurassic Park III" by SWS. Below lies the amazing process that creates and controls a huge animatronic like this dinosaur! Jurassic Machines Dinosaur Evolution In the Beginning Creature Creation Putting it together Making it Move Monster Mash

1. Jurassic Machines
The "Jurassic Park" series is known for the realism of its

creature machines. The Spinosaurus used in "Jurassic Park III, was the largest animatronic ever built. This set a new standard for the realistic portrayal of dinosaurs & other creatures that have never been seen alive by man.

2. Dinosaur Evolution
Building the Spinosaurus, or any other animatronic, requires

several major steps. Large timeline is required.

Spinosaurus statistics:
13.3 m long and weighs 12tons. Powered by hydraulics. 42 hydraulic cylinders & hoses(671m) Moves on a track 43 m long made out of 30.48 cm steel I-beams. All pivots use roller-bearing.

Use water jets

Completely remote-controlled.

3. In the Beginning
The first two steps are: Sketches and Miniature Model. a) Put it on Paper Artist creates preliminary sketches of creature.
An artist sketches the Spinosaurus.

b) Build a Maquette A miniature scale model called a maquette is create out of clay. Next, a one-fifth-scale maquette is made(8feet,2.4m).
one-fifth-scale maquette of the Spinosaurus

Full-size sculpture

one-fifth scale one-sixteenth scale

Contd
c) Build a Full-size Sculpture Maquette is taken to Cyber F/X :-scanned by 3-D digitizer. Method used is laser scanning to create computer model. Later this model is used to create life size model. Details are carved into full-size sculpture d) Molding and Casting A set of molds are made using epoxy (durable and bondable). Then frame work & rubber skin is cast. Extra clay is cleaned out, the core is bolted into the mold.
Creating the mold

4. Creature Creation
Build the animatronic components Mechanical - gears/hydraulics
Electronic - control systems /telemetry devices Structural - skeletal frame
Working on animatronic components

Surface

- foam rubber skin

All hydraulic systems are installed and checked.

5. Putting it together
All the components (mechanical and electronical) are added.
The "skeleton" of the Spinosaurus

Then Parts of the skin are put in place. Then skin is "painted.

Once all done, test it and work out any problems.

Painting the skin

Making it Move The people that control an animatronic are called puppeteers.

Eight puppeteers operate the character: Basic head/body Tongue slide levers Eye joystick control Front arms Cart/body Tail Body raise slider

6. Monster Mash

The telemetry device for controlling the arms

Spinosaurus animatronic is controlled by RF devices - certain precautions must be taken.

Final Animatronic Character

INNER WORKING OF ANIMATRONIC CHARACTER MOVEMENTS

An animatronic character movement is made up of two systems: 1. 2. Digital system On and off movements is called digital system uses pneumatics. Analog system Create realistic in-between movements in large figures uses hydraulics.

In addition control cylinders are used. Another technology called compliance used.

PROGRAMMING A FIGURE
Two basic ways of programming a figure.

First uses two methods -controlling the voltage regulation. 1. Transducer 2. Potentiometer.
Other method used is the control harness.

ADVANTAGES
An advanced and sophisticated technology. Able to produce puppets that are more realistic. The expressiveness of live performance. Limitless freedom of computer animation. Uses meticulous special effects.

Advantages to cgi and stop motion.

DISADVANTAGES
Less cost efficient and more time consuming.

The cylinders used in character movement may drip or leak.

Maintenance procedure is difficult. Need to repaint the figures and tailor the clothes-add to additional expenses.

APPLICATIONS
Movie Making and TV Shows:

Family Entertainment Centers Museums & Theme Parks Prosthetics (Medical Science) Education & Research

CONCLUSION
Creating a good animatronic figure that is able to perform constantly without fail requires many special skills and lots of technical know how Animatronics has now developed as a career which may require combined talent in Mechanical Engineering, Sculpting / Casting, Control Technologies, Electrical / Electronic, etc

References:www.howstuffworks.com www.animatronics.org http://www.mister-computer.com http://www.lifeformations.com "Audio-animatronics." Wikipedia. "Animatronics Resource Site." Audio-Animatronics.