An Animation Success Story

An animation of a Tusaire supercavitating vehicle

With the application of physics knowledge and some knowledge behind what you are trying to present, animation can enthuse even scientists and engineers.  While working on visualizing supercavitating vehicles for a Tusaire Incorporated technology development project, I researched the phenomenon of supercavitation, read papers on the subject, and watched numerical simulation videos from Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory and various other university research productions, which aided my understanding greatly about how to visualize supercavitation as accurately as possible.  I also spoke to a knowledgeable expert in the field and used my own physics training to get a feeling for the rest.

An animation of a Russian supercavitating torpedo

An animation of a Tusaire supercavitating vehicle

When the animation was shown to a Program Manager at the Navy, they repeatedly asked me what numerical modeling software I was using to create the vapor cavity effect because it was so realistic.  They refused to believe my continual insistence that no numerical modeling had been used to create the effect and it was simply the application of a particle generator.  Getting your animation as close to reality as possible, but maintaining low expectations in an audience of technically minded people is crucial to exciting enthusiasm for a project.

Additionally, this approach has huge payoff when investment representatives and customers without any physical knowledge ask a scientist or engineer to vett your animation or video.  I have experienced this many times and while scientist will rarely say, "yes, that is exactly how it will work in real life," they will likely begrudgingly admit that it is a possible and maybe even probable vision.  This is a rare success story with animation and should not be taken as the rule, but it illustrates an approach that can have huge pay-offs in the Business and Product Development of an idea.