CGI refers to computer-generated imagery used in films, television, commercials, video games and simulations. It allows the creation of visuals that would be impossible using traditional techniques. CGI is created by manipulating 3D models using computer software to apply lighting, textures and motion. It has become a primary method for special effects due to its ability to easily manipulate images and create scenes without physical models or actors. CGI has expanded the capabilities of visual storytelling and opened opportunities for small studios to create high-quality productions.

1. CGI
Computer-Generated Imagery
By: Josh Watson

2. What is it?
• application of computer generated graphics into...
• 3D computer graphics
• special effects in film
• television shows
• commercial
• simulators
• video games usually use real time computer graphics, but any
games with video clips or film mostly use CGI

3. Why is it used?
• it is used to make manipulating visual
effects a lot easier
• you can change little things a lot easier
then other then such things as miniature
models
• also allows the creation of images that
would not usually be able to be created
with other technologies
• gives a single computer artist the
capability to create such scenes without
actors or scenes, simply a computer
• since CGI began, it has given small
companies and artists the chance to create
amazing films, games, and other art from
their own home

4. How does it work?
• an image that has been taken from a CAD(computer-aided
design) file
• converted by computer software that manipulates the
lighting and reflections
• this then creates a photorealistic image
• it combines 3D models of objects and hand "keyframed"
movements
• models are constructed out of geometrical vertices, faces, and
edges in a 3D coordinate system
• objects are moulded much like real clay, working from simple
forms to specific details with various sculpting tools
• a bone/joint animation system is set up to deform the CGI model
• in a process called “rigging”, the virtual doll is given many
controllers and handles for controlling movement
• animation data can be made using motion capture, or keyframing
by a human animator

5. The first bit of CGI
1980’s
• first used in movies in 1973,
“Westworld”
• first use of 3D wire framing in the
sequel in 1976, “Futureworld”
• “Stars Wars” then used it for the
wire framing of the Death Star and
for the Millennium Falcon
• “Black Hole” used raster(formation consisting of
the set of horizontal lines composed of pixels that is used to form an image on
) wire framing to create the simple
a CRT
image of a never ending black hole
• 1982- “Tron” & “The Last Star Fighter”
were the first two full films of use of
CGI for visual effects, but directors
seemed to think that they were trying to
make it look computer generated and
did not like it

6. 1990’s
• 1991- “Terminator 2”(Best Visual
Effects) & “Beauty and the Beast”(Best
Picture) had seamless CGI integrated
into scenes
• 1993- “Jurassic Park”, where they
used big puppet dinosaurs on set and
used CGI to make them real. “Babylon
5” & “SeaQuest” used CGI as their #1
way of visual effects
• 1994- “Forrest Gump”, CGI was used to
input him into many historical events,
and also make the ping pong ball move
faster then it actually was
• 1995- “Toy Story” was the very first
totally computer generated film

7. 2000’s (the creation of new CGI)
• CGI became the #1 source for visual effects
• it was possible to create a virtual stunt
double
• camera tracking- where an actor could wear
bright colour dots on the moving parts of
his/her body and the camera would then
track the movements of those dots (EX:
Video games such as NHL, NFL, FIFA,
games where they want to collaborate a real
person’s actions into a game)
• flocking- or crowd simulator software,
where the animator can create crowds with
the computer, no longer needing extras
• virtual sets

8. Behind the Scenes of
Avatar- Virtual Camera

9. Creation of NHL 2K9

10. Film & Visual Effects
Visual Effects Studios
■ Industrial Light & Magic
■ Sony Pictures Imageworks
■ Digital Domain
■ Double Negative
■ Modus FX
■ Rainmaker Digital Effects Film
■ Rhythm and Hues Studios
■ Blue Sky Studios
■ Weta Digital
■ Blur Studio
■ Tippett Studio
■ DreamWorks Animation
■ Framestore
■ Marza Animation Planet
■ The Mill
■ Pacific Data Images
■ Rising Sun Pictures
■ Pixar
■ Scanline VFX
■ Walt Disney Animation Studios
■ Sony Pictures Animation
■ Lucasfilm Animation

11. Sites
• http://www.enotes.com/topic/
Computer-generated_imagery
• Google Images
• Youtube
• http://www.iscanmyfood.com/hd/
index.php?t=Computer+generated
+imagery