Building a functional, creative animation in Rapid Intake’s SWiSH animation tool is simple and easy. You can create custom animations, and time them to the audio for your course. In this tip, I will show you how to do some simple animations.
First, start a new movie. (Figure 1)
Figure 1. The first step in building an animation in Rapid Intake is to start a new movie.
After you select the “New Movie” button, a list of templates you can use with SWiSH will appear. (Figure 2) Select the option on the left that says “Rapid Intake.” You may then choose from many different templates that will work perfectly in the Rapid Intake Unison courses.
Figure 2. A variety of movie templates are available within SWiSH.
Now you have a blank canvas to work with. (Figure 3) You can either create your own images using the tools on the left, or use some of the artwork inside of SWiSH.
Figure 3. The blank canvas, toolset, and object properties and parameters within SWiSH for creating animations.
You can also import your own artwork by using the insert menu at the top of your screen. Once an image is on the screen, you have the ability to place it wherever you would like on the artboard. (Figure 4)
Figure 4. Placing artwork on the canvas is simple.
You can then add simple animations by using the time line at the top of your screen. Simply select “Add Effect” and decide which of the many effects available in SWiSH you would like to use. (Figure 5)
Figure 5. Many effects are available within SWiSH for use in animations.
Next, add an effect to the time line. You can easily move it or make it longer just by clicking and dragging on the edge of your selection in the timeline. (Figure 6)
Figure 6. Control effects by placing them on the timeline and by adjusting their appearance and duration.
If desired, you can add audio to your animation by using the Insert menu. (Figure 7)
Figure 7. Use the Insert menu to add audio to a presentation.
At this point, you can start timing your animations to the audio files simply by dragging and dropping the effects where you want them to go. (Figure 8)
Figure 8. Synchronize animations to audio files by dragging and dropping effects on the timeline.
If you need to make something move, use the “Motion Path Tool.” (Figure 9) With any object selected, click where you want it to go and it will move your object for you.
Figure 9. The motion path tool makes it simple to control the movement of any object on the screen.
Once your animations are built in SWiSH, upload them to Unison and take your courses to a whole new level. You can then add quizzes, games, and simulations around your animations. (Figure 10)
Figure 10. The completed animation.
