SigningAvatar™ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do you use animation? Why not video?

Animation provides a number of advantages over video including:

• It requires very small downloads. Full-screen character animation can be downloaded as fast as it can be viewed using standard, telephone modems.  Disk storage and memory requirements for the animations are negligible.

• Whole sentences and stories can be created by linking individual sign animations together. The resulting signing flows naturally, unlike sequences of video clips, which must return to the rest position between each sign.

• SigningAvatar™ animation allows manual signing and facial expression to be controlled independently. 

• Signing animations, once developed, can be used with any of our avatars, or with characters developed for a specific application. Characters may be human, or non-human in appearance. 

• Signing can be in English, PSE, or, in the future, ASL (see FAQ #3).

2. What are your plans for a Macintosh Version? a Netscape Version?

SigningAvatar™ software is implemented in Java, VRML, and other cross-platform standards. We have tested versions on the Macintosh and on Netscape, but are not satisfied with the performance. We will work to provide compatible versions of our software, but cannot predict a release date at this time. 

3. Why do you use Signed English and Pidgin Signed English? Why not ASL?

The SigningAvatar™ player and characters are fully capable of signing in ASL (or other sign languages, for that matter). However, we do not yet have tools for authoring some elements of ASL grammar, such as directional verbs, role-shifts, and other modulations of signs. Depending on user interest, we hope to develop these tools in the future. Our long-term goal is to provide the option for the full range from Signed English to ASL. 

4. How do I make my website SigningAvatar™ Enabled?

SigningAvatar™ web pages are built using the same elements as other pages on the Internet: hypertext, images, and JavaScript. The actual signing is encoded in a text-base scripting language that is similar to ASL gloss. Content can be created using a text editor, but will be much faster using Authoring Tools which are now in development. We plan to start beta testing our Authoring Tools in the near future. Please contact us at feedback@signingavatar.com.

5. Can SigningAvatar™ characters interpret online videos?

Yes, SigningAvatar™ characters will interpret online videos if the video is SigningAvatar™ enabled. Look for the SigningAvatar™ Enabled logo!

Vcom3D™ offers media services to enable videos for online or local viewing. Please contact us at feedback@signingavatar.com. 

6. How do I add SigningAvatar™ characters to my educational software titles?

We would like to work with all software publishers interested in adding sign language to their educational titles. Please contact us at feedback@signingavatar.com.