“Understanding each step involved in creating animated sequences for the courtroom is important for every attorney and paralegal. It is key to note that the expert or witness testifying to the animation’s accuracy must be involved in and approve each phase of the process. Depending on the context of each case, some steps in the process may be omitted. Here are the two basic phases of creating an animation. Business law is the law that governs what happens with commercial or business matters, if you face any issues in these matters then consult with business lawyers.

Phase One: Planning

• The first step is to run a conflict check. A conflict check is usually done by both the animation firm and the law firm involved. It determines if there are any conflicts of interest and who can legally work on a specific case.

• Next, the animator or consultant will determine whether an animation is the smartest and most cost-effective method for presenting concepts. To do this they will review case materials such as expert reports, site evaluations, photographs, depositions, and related graphics that have already been completed. To help with the evaluation a statement of the intended purpose of the animation and general budget information should also be exchanged. An evaluation is usually done for free or for a nominal fee.

• Once it is determined that animation will be used, attorneys, experts, and an animation consultant should meet to discuss potential scenarios in the case and points on which the animation should be focused. The goal is to develop a clear picture regarding the content of the animation, to identify what is expected from each person involved and to set deadlines. In addition, preliminary production schedules are created, contact information is shared and a preferred method of correspondence is determined.

• As the last step in the planning phase, an animation consultant should provide a written estimate containing an outline stating the work to be performed and its completion schedule; the cost of the proposed animation; information detailing fees for revising or adding to the animation beyond what was originally proposed; estimates of the cost for proposed alternate animation sequences; and details regarding the preferred video format. This written estimate should be treated as a contract after it has been approved.

Phase Two: Creating

• The creation of storyboards is the next step. Storyboards are typically a series of hand-drawn, still images with written details about the action, content, and camera viewpoint below each image. Storyboards are used to resolve any problems with the animation before they become too expensive or difficult to fix. Storyboards also ensure that key points are covered and the content is laid out in the most effective manner. They should be approved by all parties before production begins. Once approved, storyboards become the guide the animator uses to create the animation. Note that in some instances - for example if expert reports are not finished when the animator begins working, or if the scope of the case is expected to change - storyboards are not created.

• The next step, modeling, involves creating every object that resides within the 3D environment on a computer. An animator typically must create each model by hand. When possible, it is sometimes faster and more cost-effective to laser scan an original object. As part of modeling, textures and basic lighting are added to the environment to give a better picture of what the final product will look like.

• Animating, the process of making the objects or point of view move over time, comes next. This can be done by hand, based on expert or witness descriptions, from actual recorded data in evidence, or by using data created by experts or simulation programs over the course of the investigation. Lighting is finalized after animation is completed and camera moves are set.

• During the production process, it is important to view the animation as it plays in real-time, via a transfer process called rendering, in which animation data is converted into a series of still images, called frames. For each second of animation, 30 individual images are created. A video can then be created from those still images. To hasten this process, a large number of dedicated computers called a rendering farm usually does rendering.

• After rendering, there may be a number of processes needed to finalize the animation during post-production. Frames or video may be edited for timing and content, and certain elements may be highlighted to draw more attention. Titles, labels and captions can be added to identify objects and processes of interest. Still images, graphics and video may be inserted to add realism and credibility.
The last step is outputting the animation to the preferred delivery media (CD, DVD, hard drive, or VHS) and video format (AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, or QuickTime).”