Platform SDK: Agent

The Office Animation Set

The following table lists the animations defined for the Microsoft Office 2000 characters. If you intend to use your character in Microsoft Office, you should support all of the animations in this table. In addition, you can add any other animations you live, but keep in mind that Microsoft Office won't call them. Animations with asterisks (*) should be 100% looping. Other animations should be brief.

Animation Agent State Example of When Used Specific animation examples
Alert None When the character wants to alert the user Character looks towards user.
CheckingSomething* None Spellcheck, grammar check Character looks something up in a reference book
Congratulate None Complete a wizard Big grin, look of relief, tired but happy
EmptyTrash None Trash is emptied in Outlook Character lights trash can on fire
Explain None When the character wants to explain something to the user Looks briefly but attentively at user, then look away
GestureDown GesturingDown Character points out something on the screen Character looks at user and then points and looks at the screen
GestureLeft GesturingLeft Character points out something on the screen, such as a help topic or a piece of UI Character looks at user and then points and looks at the screen
GestureRight GesturingRight "Presenting" a help topic or dialog Character looks at user and then points and looks at the screen
GestureUp GesturingUp Character points out something on the screen Character looks at user and then points and looks at the screen
GetArtsy* None AutoFormat Character puts on beret, holds palette, and paints
GetAttention None High-priority tip Gestures strongly to get the user's attention; for example, jumps up and down waving arms
GetTechy None Runs while in programming environment Character pulls out calculator or soldering iron
GetWizardy* None Chart Wizard running while Character visible (action re-triggered with each new wizard panel) Character puts on wizard hat and waves wand
Goodbye None Another Character is chosen This is an elaborate disappear that begins in RestPose and ends with blank frame
Greeting None Character is chosen This is an elaborate appear that begins with a blank frame, and ends in RestPose
Hearing_1* None Lengthy file open Ear to the ground, listening to the computer
Hide Hiding Character leaves temporarily Leaves quickly in a puff of smoke
Idle1_1 No user input Actively listening, then curls up and goes to sleep. (opportunity to show off character personality) Blinking, looking around, waiting patiently
Idle2 No user input Longer idle periods Character yawns and looks sleepy
Idle3 No user input Deep idle (when the character has been idle for a long time) Character goes to sleep
IdleHit None This is a non-mapped representative sample of Idle Level 1 animations All of the idle animations
LookDown None Looks down briefly Notices a row is inserted and glances at it
LookDownLeft None Looks down and left briefly Notices a row is inserted and glances at it
LookDownRight None Looks down and right briefly Notices a column is inserted and glances at it
LookLeft None Looks left briefly Notices a table is inserted and glances at it
LookRight None Looks right briefly Notices a word is moved and glances at it
LookUp None Looks up briefly, as if at something going on above character on the screen Notices toolbar button gets clicked and glances at it (Character isn't surprised as much as interested)
LookUpLeft None Looks left and up briefly Notices toolbar button gets clicked and glances at it (Character isn't surprised as much as interested)
LookUpRight None Looks right and up briefly Notices toolbar button gets clicked and glances at it (Character isn't surprised as much as interested)
Print None Printing a page of a print job Grabs one piece of paper and sends it down to the printer
Processing* None General action for which we don't have specific character action Character gets look of concentration and pulls out a hammer to hammer. Animation should have a quick entry into a loop, then a quick exit
RestPose None Used when the character isn't playing an animation An image of the assistant
Save* None Used during a File Save operation Character puts something into a vault
Searching* None Used for Find, spell check, and grammar check Head turns and looks back at document. Animation should have a quick entry into a loop, then a quick exit
SendMail None Sending mail Pulls out a letter and puts it into a mailbox
Show Showing Character returns from brief leave Springs quickly on stage, quickly
Thinking* None Doing a complex calculation, such as Solver Character looks upward and scratches head. Animation should have a quick entry into a loop, then a quick exit
Wave None Accompanying alerts Wave. Similar to Alert, but not as long or as frantic
Writing* None Customer changes something in Tools Options; customer typing IntelliSearch request Pulls out pad and starts scribbling. Animation should have a quick entry into a loop, then a quick exit