EnSight's ability to handle large, transient datasets has led to its use in the production of many video animations of engineering and scientific data. EnSight uses a keyframe animation system. A keyframe is a set of viewing parameters that specifies a particular view of the scene in the Graphics Window. The view may be notable because of what is visible, or because the view represents the transition point from one scene to another. Once a set of keyframes has been selected, EnSight can automatically generate frames to interpolate the viewing parameters between keyframes for a smooth animation.

The changes to viewing parameters between keyframes are not limited to simple rotations, translations, or zoom operations. You can also use EnSight's frames capability to move parts independently, for example, to animate an exploded view of a complex assembly. You can also animate the global look-from and look-at points for fly-by style animations.

While refining your animation, you can display it directly in the Graphics Window. When complete, you can specify the output resolution and set the recording device (for example, to a disk file).

Although the production of adequate animation is easy, good animation takes experience. A sequence that looks good on your high resolution workstation screen may look less than acceptable when transferred to analog DVD. An object rotating in ten degree increments may be an appropriate speed for your workstation graphics. At thirty frames per second, however, the rotation will complete in just over a second — too fast for normal viewing. See Other Notes for some additional hints and tips.