Author: Bob Sep 03, 2024 6 min read
What is liquid animation? The term often refers to fluid or water in animation. This unique animation technology helps create animated visuals that mirror the shape, character, and behavior of water or other liquids. Thanks to this technique, animated graphics execute flowing movements, imitate organic forms, and implement vibrant transformations.
To achieve the required results, animators utilize CGI alongside hand-drawn techniques to bring imagery to life. In this case, computer-generated imagery guarantees a high level of control over motions. At the same time, hand-drawn images bring a more organic and artistic touch to the final work.
Liquid motion animation and motion design are now widely used in web graphics and game development by allowing brands to 1) differentiate themselves and 2) engage more end-users. Moreover, water animation helps brands communicate their brilliant ideas in a new visual style.
Motion graphics designs are everywhere. You can easily find implemented examples on top brands’ websites, in personal Dribbble profiles, and on Google by inputting liquid animation into a search bar. This is proof that many businesses find this approach to digital illustrations beneficial.
Let’s take a closer look at what fluid animation provides.
The following are seven core challenges presented by this type of animation:
The challenge: How can the fluids’ complicated performance be imitated, considering their turbulence, tension of a surface, and viscosity? How do you create advertising or any other animation that reflects how fluid interacts in the real world?
The solution: This is where artists collaborate with physicists, enhancing the imitation algorithms and making sure all nuances are presented accurately. This approach encompasses real-world research and data collection.
The challenge: How to achieve realistic splashes and collisions? How do you adhere to intricate algorithms and manage complex dynamics?
The solution: There’s no other way but continuous testing and refinement. These two approaches help to find advanced collision algorithms and handle even the most complex interactions between fluids and surfaces.
The challenge: How to find a balance between computational efficiency and accuracy? How do you ensure that designers and animators will work with liquid animation for an acceptable number of hours?
The solution: Optimization methods are recommended for this. Among them are algorithmic optimization and parallel commuting. They both cut down computational hours. If you turn to cloud-based resources for computation, you’ll add to scalability. Thus, animators will use computational power upon request.
The challenge: How do you ensure that liquid animation scales and portrays micro- and macro-level dynamics of fluids in the most accurate way?
The solution: Making use of adaptive simulation grids is a must. They help to proactively align resolution depending on the scale of a scene. This also guarantees that the use of computational resources is effective.
The challenge: How do you control the animation’s artistic aspects? How do you strike a balance between creativity and realism without sacrificing authenticity?
The solution: Make sure you use user-friendly interfaces offering intuitive controls. They will allow you to adjust animations. Features like real-time feedback, parameter tuning, and options for customization will allow an artist to create the required artists-realism balance.
The challenge: How can large-scale fluid scenes be easily mimicked? How do you mimic fluids interacting simultaneously?
The solution: Make use of adaptive resolution techniques. Optimize memory management. Build effective data structures to reduce memory. Remember that caching techniques and streaming load only the required data. They cut down the general memory trace.
The challenge: How do you model interactions between various/multiple phases of the same fluid (foam, bubbles, ice)? How do you preserve realism in this scenario?
The solution: Multiphase simulation models are needed for this. They will consider the diverse physical properties of a substance. Computer-animated graphics and lots of research are also required to build complex algorithms to manage intricate compositions.
There are several industries apart from web design where liquid animation after-effects are widely used for the brand’s success:
Water/fluid/liquid animation is one of the top trending techniques in the design world. The motion and engagement it creates keep viewers interested and proactive, regardless of the industry in which the animation is applied.
Do you see the potential of fluid animation for your brand? Then, it’s time to discuss your options with a pro agency. Please let us know your needs, and we’ll make them come true.
