ANIMATION

Animation:

Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways. The most common method of presenting animation is as a motion picture or video program, although there are other methods.

Traditional animation:

Traditional animation was the process used for most animated films of the 20th century. The individual frames of a traditionally animated film are photographs of drawings, which are first drawn on paper. To create the illusion of movement, each drawing differs slightly from the one before it. The animators drawings are traced or photocopied onto transparent acetate sheets called cels, which are filled in with paints in assigned colors or tones on the side opposite the line drawings. The completed character cells are photographed one-by-one onto motion picture film against a painted background by a rostrum camera.

Computer animation:

Computer animation encompasses a variety of techniques, the unifying factor being that the animation is created digitally on a computer.

2D animation:

2D animation figures are created and/or edited on the computer using 2D bitmap graphics or created and edited using 2D vector graphics. This includes automated computerized versions of traditional animation techniques such as of tweening. morphing, onion skinning and interpolated rotoscoping.

Examples: Foster's Home for Imaginary friends, Danny Phantom, Waltz with Bashir, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
  • Analog computer animation
  • Flash animation
  • PowerPoint animation
3D animation:

3D animation is digitally modeled and manipulated by an animator. In order to manipulate a mesh, it is given a digital skeletal structure that can be used to control the mesh. This process is called rigging.

Various other techniques can be applied, such as mathematical functions, simulated fur or hair, effects such as fire and water and the use of motion capture to name but a few, these techniques fall under the category of 3D dynamics. Well-made 3D animations can be difficult to distinguish from live action and are commonly used as visual effects for recent movies.