Basic CGI Animation Explained
Today, CGI animation is one of the most lucrative industries in the world. Technology has evolved to such a degree that almost anything is possible. The opportunities for talented animators to make their mark have never been greater. Here’s a look at the fundamental aspects of CGI animation.
The Technique
Animation has been a large part of our lives for almost a century. From Walt Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White, to the Toy Story franchise, and animation for commercial purposes, every day we are treated to a wealth of commercial animation to promote products and services, and to entertain us. The most widely used technique is to blend a series of drawings with small subtle differences to create movement. However, 3D models are also used to capture films. In the same manner as drawings, models are moved subtly in a frame by frame capacity, giving the impression of a continuing video.
As technology evolved so too did our ability to conjure animations that exceed even our wildest imagination. Traditional drawings were discarded in favour of the diverse and expansive creations of CGI. Computer animation can allows for manipulation of images and videos to such a degree that we are only limited by our imagination. Photorealistic animation through motion capture records realistic movements of people or objects has become increasingly prominent.
CGI Software Packages
Computer animation depends entirely on the CGI packages used. Maya, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Softimage, V-Ray, Mental Ray and Z-Brush are some examples of CGI software packages. There is a wealth of different software packages; the price does depend on the nature and functionality of the program.
Today, as previously mentioned, CGI has a number of different applications. From website design to motion pictures, video games to advertisements employ CGI. People all over the world readily design and consume CGI imagery. With the continued evolution of the industry, who knows what we’ll create in years to come.