SHS

TVL – ICT
ANIMATION NCII
Quarter 1 – Module 8:
Prepare and Interpret
Technical Drawing
(Week 8)
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
understand Animation. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course.

The module will cover:

● Lesson 1 – Flowchart Symbols

● Lesson 2 – Procedures in Interpreting and Creating Flowcharts o
Types of Flowchart

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the basic symbols used in flow charting;

2. interpret the symbols used in flow charting; and
3. create a flowchart that depicts a simple scenario.

What I Know

What’s In

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In the previous module you learned about the basic symbols and elements of
technical drawing, the different kinds of technical drawings and symbols. Technical
drawing used in animation helps communicate ideas. Symbols also help to provide
structure and routine such as diagrams and flowchart.

Animation requires good graphic design and an understanding of pacing,

sequencing, structure, and rhythm. It is for this reason that symbols and elements
in technical drawing are essential to the animation industry.

What’s New

Animated film production uses a flow chart to show the details of the relationships
among hundreds of people involved in a film production. In some other cases, a
flowchart is also used in the pre-production in animation to show the steps of the
whole process of storyboarding.

A flowchart is used as a graphic representation for any process. Each shape in a

flowchart has a corresponding meaning. These are standardized symbols such as
rectangles and diamond shapes. Flowcharts are often used for documentation
purposes because they are easier to follow. A flowchart shows the steps involved to
carry out a task. In animation, flowchart is often used in the organization of the
whole production. It is also used in storyboarding and scriptwriting.

A flowchart will help you understand your process and uncover ways to improve it
only if you use it to analyze what is happening.

What is It

TECHNICAL TERMS

• graphic symbol - a written symbol that is used to

represent speech
• scenario - an outline of the plot of a dramatic work,
giving particulars as the scenes,
characters, situations, etc.
• scriptwriting - to prepare a text for filming and
broadcasting

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Understanding Flowchart
A flowchart is a diagram that uses graphic symbols to depict the nature and flow of
the steps in a process. A diagram is a drawing that illustrates or visually explains a
thing or idea by outlining its component parts and the relationships among them.

Uses of a Flowchart
1. To develop understanding of how a process is done.
2. To study a process for improvement.
3. To communicate to others how a process is done.
4. To establish better communication between people involved with the same
process.
5. To document a process.
6. To visualize when planning a project.

Basic Flowchart Symbols

The symbols that are commonly used in flowcharts have specific meanings and are
connected by arrows indicating the flow from one step to another.

Symbol Description

Process symbol represents a process, action, or function.

Document symbol represents the input or output of a

document.

Decision symbol indicates a question to be answered usually

by yes/no or true/false.

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 Connector symbol connects separate elements across one
page.

Off-page connector symbol connects separate elements

across multiple pages.

Data symbol represents data that is available for input or

output. It may also represent resources used or generated.

Comment symbol or note symbol adds needed explanation or

comment.

Other Flowchart Symbols

Symbol Description

Stored data symbol represents data housed on a storage

device.

Summing junction symbol sums the input of several

converging paths.

Terminator symbol represents the start points, end points,

and potential outcomes of a path.

Predefined process symbol indicates a complicated process or

operation that is well-known or defined elsewhere.

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Internal storage symbol represents data stored in RAM.

Manual input symbol represents the manual input of data

into a computer, usually through a keyboard.

Manual operation symbol indicates a step that must be done

manually, not automatically.

Merge symbol combines multiple paths.

Multiple documents symbol represents multiple documents

or reports.

Preparation symbol differentiates between steps that prepare

for work and steps that do work.

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 PROCEDURES IN
INTERPRETING AND
Lesson CREATING FLOWCHARTS
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What’s New

How do you interpret flowcharts?

A flowchart will help you understand your process and uncover ways to improve it
only if you use it to analyze what is happening.

Interpreting your flowchart will help you to:

● Determine who is involved in the process.
● Form theories about root causes.
● Identify ways to streamline the process.
● Determine how to implement changes to the process.
● Locate cost-added-only steps. ● Provide training on how the process works or
should work.

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 What is It

TECHNICAL TERMS

• links - one of the rings or loops forming a chain

• streamline - to improve the efficiency of a process, business,

or organization by simplifying or eliminating
unnecessary steps, using modernizing
techniques, or taking other approaches

• theory - an idea used to account for a situation or justify

a course of action

Interpreting Flowcharts
A flowchart will help an animator understand the process and uncover ways to
improve it by analyzing what is happening. Interpreting flow chart will help:
● determine who is involved in the process
● form theories about root causes
● identify ways to streamline the process
● determine how to implement changes to the process
● locate cost-added-only steps
● provide training on how the process works or should work

Below is a sequence of steps by Antonette Quiles in analyzing flowchart:

1. Examine each process for the following conditions that indicate a need to
improve the process:
a) Bottlenecks. These points in the process where it slows down may be
caused by redundant or unnecessary steps, rework, lack of capacity, or
other factors.

b) Weak links. These are steps where problems occur because of inadequate
training of process workers, equipment that needs to be repaired or
replaced, or insufficient technical documentation. "Inform the drill leader
and improvise" is one of the weak links.

c) Poorly defined steps. These are steps that are not well-defined and may be
interpreted and performed in a different way by each person involved,

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 leading to process variation. "Improvise" is a poorly defined step in the
weak link.

2. Examine each decision symbol. Collect data on how often there is a "yes" or
"no" answer at decision points marked by a diamond-shaped symbol. If most
decisions go one way rather than the other, you may be able to remove this
decision point.

3. Examine each rework loop. Processes with numerous checks generate rework
and waste. Examine the activities preceding the rework loop and identify those
that need to be improved. Look for ways to shorten or eliminate the loop.

4. Examine each activity symbol. Does the step help build a key quality
characteristic into the end product? If not, consider eliminating it.

Flowchart Basic Procedures by Alma C. Ando in analyzing flowchart:

1. Identify the purpose of drawing a flowchart. Define the process to be
diagrammed.
2. Organize and document tasks. Decide on the start and end points of the
flowchart.
3. Test Check the flowchart to make sure that there will be no corrections such
as misspelled words, alignments of shapes or text, etc.
4. Challenge. Identify and check the steps whether any of them are necessary or
duplicated.

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 Story

Storyboard

Character Design
Background Keys /
Animatics Concept Art
Model Sheets

Voice Recording
Rough Music

X-sheet Slugging

Production
Figure 1 : Animation preproduction process sample flowchart

Figure 1: Animation pre production process sample flowchart

Types of flowchart
Besides the three levels of detail used to categorize flowcharts, there are three main
types of flowcharts, namely: linear, deployment, and opportunity. The level of detail
can be depicted as macro, mini, or micro for each of these types.

● Linear Flowchart.
o A linear flowchart is a diagram that displays the sequence of work steps
that make up a process. This can help identify rework and redundant
or unnecessary steps within a process. This type of flowchart is very
much useful in an animation job/workflow.

Following are the seven steps for developing a linear flowchart

1. Define the process to be flowcharted, and the purpose for flowcharting
it.
2. Assemble the right people to develop the flowchart.
3. Establish process boundaries—the starting and ending points.
● Identify the major activities or sub processes that are included
in the process.

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 ● Determine what is not included in the scope of the process to
remove any doubt or confusion about the boundaries. This may
also help establish the scope of related processes.
4. List the steps, activities, and decisions to be charted. If your team is
not sure about a step, mark it to be investigated later.
5. Put the steps in chronological sequence. Sometimes it's easier to start
with the last step and work back to the first step.
6. Assign flowchart symbols such as boxes, diamonds, and triangles.
7. Review and title the Flowchart.

● Deployment Flowchart.
o A deployment flowchart shows the actual process flow and identifies the
people or groups involved at each step. Horizontal lines define
customer-supplier relationships. This type of chart shows where the
people or groups fit into the process sequence, and how they relate to
one another throughout the process.

Creating a Flowchart that Depicts a Simple Scenario

A flowchart is a way of showing how a task should be carried START

out. It helps animators develop logical thinking skills.
Animators will learn to apply the concept of sequencing for
practical and everyday tasks. To construct a flowchart, think
about the order in which the operation needs to occur, then
draw the chart. NO

Each flowchart has one starting point and one or more ending
YES
points are drawn with a rounded rectangle or oval. Steps,
END
actions, or tasks are drawn with rectangular boxes. Sometimes
a question needs to be answered to decide what instruction Figure 2: Basic Flowchart
should happen next. Decisions are drawn with diamonds with
labels at the exits. The arrows show the order the steps are
taken.

The chart below shows the steps in troubleshooting a locked-up computer by Alma
C. Ando. What should an animator do when a computer freezes or locks up?

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 START

Give the computer

few minutes to

YES
Is the computer
dead locked?

NO
Reboot the computer

Press CAPS LOCK Key

END TASK the NOT

responding program

Press CTRL+ALT=Delete
to open the Windows
Task Manager

Highlight program that

is not responding

END TASK

NO
Is the computer
OK?

YES Take PC to
repair shop
END

Figure 3: Troubleshooting locked-up computer

● A flowchart will help an animator understand the process and uncover ways
to improve it by analyzing what is happening.
● A flowchart is a way of showing how a task should be carried out.
● It helps animators develop logical thinking skills.
● It helps Animators learn to apply the concept of sequencing for practical and
everyday tasks.

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Multiple Choice
Directions: Please read each statement and select the best answer. Write the letter
and the word. Please use a separate sheet in answering the test. Please do not
forget to write the following in your answer sheet:
Name: _________________________ Yr. & Section: __________________
Yr. Level & Subject (Specialization): ___________ Module No: _____ Name
of the Activity (e.g., What I know) ______________ Date: ______

1. It represents a detailed drawing showing a connection from one point to the

control system.
A. block diagram C. loop diagram
B. charts D. schematic diagram
2. It is a simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or work of
something.
A. diagrams C. links
B. elements D. symbols
3. It is a symbol used to represent data that is available for input or output.
A. data symbol C. stored data symbol
B. internal storage symbol D. summing junction symbol
4. It is a symbol that differentiates steps that prepare for work from steps that
actually do work.
A. comment symbol C. multiple documents symbol B. document symbol
D. preparation symbol

5. Which of the following symbols represents a process, action, or function?

A. C. B. D.

6. It is a symbol that indicates a question to be answered by

yes/no or true/ false.
A. C. B. D.

7. Which symbol is used to represent a process in a

system flowchart?
A. arrow C. rectangle
B. parallelogram D. all of the choices
8. System flowcharts are used to show the direction of _______.
A. data C. knowledge
B. information D. none of the choices

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9. Which of the following is NOT true about a flowchart?
A. Flowchart is used to study a process for improvement.
B. Flowchart is used to communicate to others how a process is done.
C. Flowchart helps to develop an understanding of how a process is done.
D. None of the choices

10. What symbol is used to represent a lighting outlet?

A. C. B. D.
11. These are components or parts that can be isolated and defined in any visual
design or work of art.
A. diagrams C. layouts
B. elements D. symbols

12. It is a symbol that indicates a step that must be done manually, not
automatically.
A. manual input symbol C. merge symbol
B. manual operation symbol D. preparation symbol

13. It is a flowchart symbol that represents the start points, end points, and
potential outcomes of a path.
A. C. B. D.

14. What is the purpose

of these symbols?
A. It is an action done by the program.
B. It shows the direction and sequence of the processes.
C. It asks a question and then determines which route the program will take.
D. It represents when something is input into the program or output from
the program.
15. What is the function of the start/end symbol? A. It ends the
program only.
B. It starts the program only.
C. It shows a visual representation of the entire program.
D. It can be used to show the beginning or ending of a program.

16. These are symbols used to represent various electrical and

electronic devices in a schematic diagram of an electrical or
electronic circuit.
A. architectural symbols C. electrical symbols
B. dimensioning symbols D. piping symbols

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17. Which of the following defines a schematic diagram?
A. It shows information in the form of a table, graph, or diagram.
B. It shows a detailed drawing connection from one point to the control system.
C. It shows all the significant components of a circuit, flow, process, or device.
D. all the choices

18. Which of the following symbols is an architectural symbol?

A. C. B. D.
19. Which of the steps help build a key quality characteristic into the end
product when analyzing a flowchart?
A. examine each decision
B. examine each rework loop
C. examine each activity symbol
D. none of the choices

20. Symbols used within a typical flowchart include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. an arrow, representing the flow of work
B. a trapezoid, representing a work queue
C. a diamond, representing a decision
D. an oval, representing the start and end of the chart

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Answer Key

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