It is often breathtaking to witness dexterity of an
alien in a film, although knowing that none of it is real. The concept giving
features, personality and movements to that alien is known as animation. The
literal meaning of computer animation is to give life to an object or a static
image. The animator gives movements and personality to such an image or object
with the help of certain animating software and tools.
History of animation
Animation was conceptualized in circa 1910. Without
the wonders of technology, animation was considered to be laborious as close to
100 drawings have to be made by hand for any film. The first animation film,
Steamboat Willie, hit the theater in 1928, and Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs (1937) became the first full length animated film.
Some of the most popularized cartoon figures, such
as Lion King, were hand drawn. During early ages, a technique known as
in between was used for rendering the effects of motion on a set of sketches.
Types of animation
Two common types of computer animation are
computer-generated and computer-assisted. Both the types hold significance in
creating specific kinds of animation.
- A computer-assisted animating technique is apt for creating two-dimensional (2-D) figures such as cartoons. In the computer-assisted technique, the animator draws characters and objects either by computer or hand. This task is followed by animator positioning the drawn creations over key frames. Finally, the computer uses several complex algorithms to fill the frames (in-betweens); this process is known as tweening.
- Computer-generated animated technique is a whole new ball game. The technique is suited for creating three-dimensional (3D) objects. The computer-generated animating does not require traditional techniques; however, tweening and key-framing play a significant role in this technique too.
