This document discusses different types of animation including computer animation, 2D animation, and 3D animation. Computer animation offers diverse features for creating animations and 3D animation looks more realistic than 2D. 2D animation is often edited using 2D bitmap or vector graphics software and uses techniques like rotoscoping. 3D animation is created digitally using modeling software and techniques like rigging to create characters, objects, and environments that can interact. Motion capture and cel-shaded animation are also discussed as 3D animation techniques.

1. Animation Background
History/Genre Research
Part 4

2. Computer Animation
• Computer animation offers a diverse range of
features when wanting to create an animation.
• 2D animation often utilizes the picture whereas
3D animation allows you to create a virtual
environment where characters and different
objects are able cooperate and work in the same
environment.
• 3D animation looks more realistic that 2D
animation.

3. 2D Animation
• When 2D animations are being produced, they are
generally edited with the software: ‘2D Bitmap
Graphics or can be made/edited using another
version known as ‘2D Vector Graphics’. This consists
of a digital form of classic animation methods:
‘rotoscoping and interpolated morphing’.
• ‘Final line advection animation’: the animators and
artists are part of the same department when
creating the production and give the production
originality.

4. 3D Animation
• The animation is created digitally and designed on the
computer. The animator is in control of modelling the
environments and objects that the characters are going
to interact with. Many animation companies are moving
towards this style of animation or are currently using it,
companies include: Pixar, DreamWorks Animation and
Walt Disney Animation Studios who have recently
started to used 3D animation for their productions.
• A ‘mesh’ is a composition that allows the animator to
create characters, objects and environments. It can also
add a skeletal design (armature) specially for characters
that are in the animation. This technique is known as
‘rigging’.

5. 3D Animation Continued
• Motion Capture: this is when the actors’ where specific
suits that transfers their movement to a computer for CG
characters: an example of this techniques is used in the
film: ‘Polar Express’/
• Machinima: This techniques consists using ‘screen
capturing’ of games (video games in particular).
• Cel-shaded Animation: this techniques imitates the
classic animation method by using a CG programme.
• Photo-realistic Animation: this animation is used mirror
realistic environments and characters: rendering is used
to make environments, objects and characters look
detailed and realistic. This type of animation was used in
films such as ‘Kung-Fu Panda’ and are used in many
films created by both Pixar and DreamWorks Animation.