Suggested Animations

The following table lists the animations defined for the Microsoft Agent sample characters and can be used as a guide for designing your own characters. How you plan to use a character determines the names and number of animations you support for a character.

An asterisk after an animation indicates a speaking animation that includes mouth overlay images for the last frame of the animation.

Animation Example of Use Example Animation
Acknowledge When the character acknowledges the user's request. Character nods or flashes "OK" hand gesture.

Note that this animation should return the character to its neutral position.
Alert* When the character is waiting for instructions, typically played after the user turns on listening mode. Character faces front, breathing, blinking occasionally, but clearly awaiting instruction.
AlertReturn When the character completes coming to the alert position. Character returns to its neutral position.
Announce * When the character has found information for the user. Character gestures by raising eyebrows and hand or opens an envelope.
AnnounceReturn When the character completes telling the user about the information it has found. Character returns to its neutral position.
Appearing When the character starts up or returns after being summoned. Character pops up in a puff of smoke, beams in, or walks on-screen.
Confused * When the character doesn't understand what to do. Character scratches head.
ConfusedReturn When the character returns from the Confused animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Congratulate * When the character or user completes a task (a stronger form of the Acknowledge animation.) Character performs congratulatory gesture, conveys "YES!"
CongratulateReturn When the character completes a Congratulate animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Decline * When the character cannot do or declines the user's request. Character shakes head, conveys "no can do."
DeclineReturn When the character completes the Decline animation. Character returns to neutral position.
DontRecognize * When the character didn't recognize the user's request. Character holds hand to ear.
DontRecognizeReturn When the character completes the DontRecognize animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Explain * When the character explains something to the user. Character gestures as if explaining something.
ExplainReturn When the character completes the Explain animation. Character returns to neutral position.
GestureDown * When the character needs to point to something below it. Character points down.
GestureDownReturn When the character completes gesturing down. Character returns to neutral position.
GestureLeft * When the character needs to point to something at its left. Character points with left hand.
GestureLeftReturn When the character is finished gesturing left. Character returns to neutral position.
GestureRight * When the character needs to point to something at its right. Character points with right hand or morphs into an arrow pointing right.
GestureRightReturn When the character is finished gesturing right. Character returns to neutral position.
GestureUp * When the character needs to point to something above it. Character points up.
GestureUpReturn When the character is finished gesturing up. Character returns to neutral position.
GetAttention When the character needs to notify the user about something important. Character waves hands or jumps up and down.
GetAttentionReturn When the character completes the GetAttention animation. Character returns to neutral position.
GlanceDown When character wants to subtly direct attention below. Character looks briefly downward and returns to neutral position.
GlanceLeft When character wants to subtly direct attention to the left. Character looks briefly to the left and returns to neutral position.
GlanceRight When character wants to subtly direct attention to the right. Character looks briefly to the right and returns to neutral position.
GlanceUp When character wants to subtly direct attention upward. Character looks briefly upward and returns to neutral position.
Greet * When the user starts up the system. Character smiles and waves.
GreetReturn When the character completes the greeting. Character returns to neutral position.
Hear When the character hears the start of an spoken utterance (actively listening). Character leans forward and nods, or turns head showing response to speech input.
Hide When the user dismisses the character. Character removes self from screen.
Idle1 When the character has no task and the user is not interacting with the character. Character blinks or looks around, remaining in or returning to the neutral position.
Idle2 When the character has been idle for some time. Character yawns or reads magazine remaining in or returning to the neutral position.
Idle3 When the character has been idle for a long time. Character sleeps or puts on headphones to listen to music.
Idle3Return When the character transitions out of the Idling Level 3 state. Character returns to its neutral position.
LookDown When the character needs to look down. Character looks down.
LookDownReturn When the character completes looking down. Character returns to its neutral position.
LookLeft When the character needs to look left. Character looks to the left.
LookLeftReturn When the character completes looking left. Character returns to its neutral position.
LookRight When the character needs to look right. Character looks to the right.
LookRightReturn When the character completes looking right. Character returns to its neutral position.
LookUp When the character needs to look up. Character looks up.
LookUpReturn When the character completes looking up. Character returns to its neutral position.
MoveDown When the character prepares to move down. Character transitions to a walking/flying down position.
MoveDownReturn When the character completes moving down. Character returns to its neutral position.
MoveLeft When the character prepares to move left. Character transitions to a walking/flying left position.
MoveLeftReturn When the character completes moving left. Character returns to its neutral position.
MoveRight When the character prepares to move right. Character transitions to a walking/flying right position.
MoveRightReturn When the character completes moving right. Character returns to its neutral position.
MoveUp When the character prepares to move up. Character transitions to a walking/flying up position.
MoveUpReturn When the character completes moving up. Character returns to its neutral position.
Pleased * When the character is pleased with the user's request or choice. Character smiles.
PleasedReturn When the character completes the Pleased animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Processing When the character is busy processing a task. Character scribbles on pad of paper.

Note: This animation loops to some intermediate frame that occurs after the character moves to an appropriate position.
ProcessingReturn When the character completes the Processing animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Read * When the character reads something to the user. Character displays book or paper, reads, and looks back at user.
ReadContinued * When the character reads further to the user. Character reads again, then looks back at user.
ReadReturn When the character completes the Read animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Reading When the character reads something but cannot accept input. Character reads from a piece of paper.

(Note: This animation loops.)
ReadingReturn When the character completes the Reading animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
RestPose * When the character speaks from its neutral position. Character stands with relaxed but attentive posture.
Sad * When the character is disappointed with the user's choice. Character frowns or looks disappointed.
SadReturn When the character completes the Sad animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Searching When character is searching for user-specified information. Character shuffles through file drawer or other container looking for something.

Note: This animation loops to some intermediate frame(s) that occurs after the character moves to an appropriate position.
SearchingReturn When the character completes the Search animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Show When the character starts up or returns after being summoned. Character pops up in a puff of smoke, beams in, or walks on-screen.
StartListening * When the character is listening. Character puts hand to ear.
StartListeningReturn When the character completes the StartListening animation. Character returns to neutral position.
StopListening * When the character stops listening. Character puts hands over ears.
StopListeningReturn When the character completes the animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Suggest * When the character has a tip or suggestion for the user. Light bulb appears next to character.
SuggestReturn When the character completes the Suggest animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Surprised * When the character is surprised by the user's action or choice. Character widens eyes, opens mouth.
SurprisedReturn When the character completes the Surprised animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Think * When the character is thinking about something. Character looks up and holds hand on head.
ThinkReturn When the character completes the Think animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Uncertain * When the character needs the user to confirm a request. Character looks quizzical, conveys ("are you sure?")
UncertainReturn When the character completes the Uncertain animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Wave * When the user chooses to shut down the server or system. Character waves goodbye or hello.
WaveReturn When the character completes the Wave animation. Character returns to neutral position.
Write * When the character is listening for instructions from the user. Character displays paper, writes, and looks back at user.
WriteContinued * When the character continues listening for instructions from the user. Character writes on a piece of paper and looks back at user.
WriteReturn When the character completes the Write animation. Character returns to its neutral position.
Writing When the character writes out information for the user. Character writes on piece of paper.

Note: This animation loops.
WritingReturn When the character completes the Writing animation. Character returns to its neutral position.