anyFish 2.0: An open-source software platform to generate and share animated fish models to study behavior

Spencer J. Ingley; Mohammad Rahmani Asl; Chengde Wu; Rongfeng Cui; Mahmoud Gadelhak; Wen Li; Ji Zhang; Jon Simpson; Chelsea Hash; Trisha Butkowski; Thor Veen; Jerald B. Johnson; Wei Yan; Gil G. Rosenthal

SoftwareX (Dec 2015)

anyFish 2.0: An open-source software platform to generate and share animated fish models to study behavior

Spencer J. Ingley,
Mohammad Rahmani Asl,
Chengde Wu,
Rongfeng Cui,
Mahmoud Gadelhak,
Wen Li,
Ji Zhang,
Jon Simpson,
Chelsea Hash,
Trisha Butkowski,
Thor Veen,
Jerald B. Johnson,
Wei Yan,
Gil G. Rosenthal

Affiliations

Spencer J. Ingley: Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA; Correspondence to: 401 WIDB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. Tel.: +1 352 278 2705; fax: +1 801 422 0090.
Mohammad Rahmani Asl: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Chengde Wu: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Rongfeng Cui: Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Mahmoud Gadelhak: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Wen Li: Department of Computer Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Ji Zhang: Department of Computer Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Jon Simpson: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Chelsea Hash: Lively Disposition, Cohoes, NY, USA
Trisha Butkowski: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Thor Veen: The Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, One University Station C0990, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
Jerald B. Johnson: Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA; Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Wei Yan: Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Gil G. Rosenthal: Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3
pp. 13 – 21

Abstract

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Experimental approaches to studying behaviors based on visual signals are ubiquitous, yet these studies are limited by the difficulty of combining realistic models with the manipulation of signals in isolation. Computer animations are a promising way to break this trade-off. However, animations are often prohibitively expensive and difficult to program, thus limiting their utility in behavioral research. We present anyFish 2.0, a user-friendly platform for creating realistic animated 3D fish. anyFish 2.0 dramatically expands anyFish’s utility by allowing users to create animations of members of several groups of fish from model systems in ecology and evolution (e.g., sticklebacks, Poeciliids, and zebrafish). The visual appearance and behaviors of the model can easily be modified. We have added several features that facilitate more rapid creation of realistic behavioral sequences. anyFish 2.0 provides a powerful tool that will be of broad use in animal behavior and evolution and serves as a model for transparency, repeatability, and collaboration. Keywords: Animal communication, Animation, Video playback, Teleostei

Published in SoftwareX

ISSN: 2352-7110 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Mathematics: Instruments and machines: Electronic computers. Computer science: Computer software
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/softwarex/

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