Animation 4

Animation 4Computer & 3D Animation

Computer Assisted Animation The computer is used to make the animation process

quicker and easier. Usually involves 2-D images

Can be hand-drawn and scanned into the computer. Can be drawn directly into the computer using graphics

tablets. The images are positioned into keyframes containing the

most important movements. Tweening is then performed by the computer to create

images between keyframes.

Computer Assisted Animation

Even though computers are now used extensively, many traditional steps are still used.Storyboarding Pencil Testing KeyframesTweening

Computer Generated Animation

All images, objects and animation are created on the computer.

Typically uses 3-D images. Adds two steps to the animation process.

Modeling – process of creating a mesh wireframe structure of the 3-D objects and scenes.

Rendering – process of applying colors, textures, shadows, transparency, etc. to create the final image or animation.

The mesh may have a lot of vertices which are to geometric points which make up the mesh, it is given an internal digital skeletal structure called an armature that can be used to control the mesh with weights. This process is called rigging and can be programmed with movement with keyframes.

3D Computer animation is considered by many to be actually closer to other animation techniques rather than traditional hand-drawn animation. Often it is compared to stop motion animation

Early on, Computer Graphics (CG) appeared in a variety of movies in which it was used as computer graphics (that is, the CG was not intended to fool the audience into thinking it was anything other than CG). For example, Star Wars (1977, falls into this category.

Tron (1982) integrated computer animation with live action, but, since the action took place in a computer, the CG didn't have to look realistic (and didn't). This was the first time CG was used as an integral part of a movie.

One main use of CG has been to replace physical models. In this case, CG is used to create realistic elements which are intermixed with the live action. The Last Star Fighter (1984) used computer animation instead of building models for special effects.

CG is also used to create 'alien' creatures. Creatures which are supposed to be realistic, but don't have to match anything that the audience is familiar with. The Abyss (1989) is one such movie in which CG is used to effect an alien creature which is integrated with the rest of the live action. Some of the CG in Terminator II served a similar purpose as well as Casper(1995), Species (1995), Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.

The Abyss

More challenging is the use of CG to create realistic models of creatures that are familiar to the audience.

Jurassic Park (1993) was the first to completely integrate use of CG character animation in which the graphics were designed so as to blend in with the live action so that it was difficult to tell what was computer generated and what wasn't.

Of course, one use of computer animation is simply to 'do animation.' By that I mean computer animation is used to produce animated pieces which would otherwise be done by more traditional means - essentially 3D cartoons

Toy Story (1995, Pixar, Disney), the first full length fully computer-generated 3D animation, would fall into a category of 3D cartoon

Terms

Cel-shaded animation, also called “toon animation” is used to mimic traditional animation using CG software. Shading looks stark, with less blending colors. Examples include, Skyland (2007, France), Appleseed Ex Machina (2007, Japan), The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (2002, Japan)

Machinima, Films created by screen capturing in video games and virtual worlds.

Motion capture, is used when live action actors wear special suits that allow computers to copy their movements into CG characters. Examples include Polar Express (2004, USA), Beowulf (2007, USA), A Christmas Carol (2009, USA), The Adventures of Tintin (2011, USA)

Photo realistic animation, is used primarily for animation that attempts to resemble real life. Using advanced rendering that makes detailed skin, plants, water, fire, clouds, etc. to mimic real life. Examples include Up (2009, USA), Kung-Fu Panda (2008, USA), Ice Age (2002, USA).

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