Digital Animation: Types and Techniques

There are many different types of animation. The 5 main types of animations are:

  • Traditional Animation. (2D, Cel, Hand Drawn)
  • 2D Animation. (Vector-Based)
  • 3D Animation. (CGI, Computer Animation)
  • Motion Graphics. (Typography, Animated Logos)
  • Stop Motion. (Claymation, Cut-Outs)

Animation Techniques:
- Line Drawing: 
Hand drawn sketch that moves frame by frame so the shape evolves and moves. 
Commonly used in contemporary advertising. 
Created with adobe illustrator, Flash and Lightbox.
SVGs animated by code (Scalable Vector Graphics).

- Cel animation
'Celluloid Animation'.
Many disney films (early ones), were created in this way. 
A transparent sheet onto which characters and scenery are drawn or painted. Done by hand. 

- Hand-drawn
Not common anymore, as its so time consuming. 
Can be achieved more easily through computer. 
Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki 

- Rotoscoping 
Traditionally, rotoscoping involves a stand called a rotoscope. 
Used to project sequences of moving images against a surface so that a set animation frames can be traced over them. 
'Roto' refers to the rotation of the image. 
Now you can achieve this using Silhouette, Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. 
Digital rotoscoping is used to create a matte or mask for an element so that it can be extracted to be placed on a different background. 
Artist will trace the object using a set of tools within the compositing software. 

- Live action 
Non animated characters interact with animated characters
Space Jam

- Stop motion and Claymation
Bringing inanimate objects to life
Achieved meticulously, by moving the object incrementally and photographing it. 
Makes it seem the object itself is moving when the frames are played sequentially.  

- 2D/3D (CGI - computer-generated imagery)
Digital technology and software is used to generate animated images and graphics. 
CGI refers to static scenes and moving characters, while computer animation refers to only to moving characters/scenes. 
Used a lot in Blockbusters to make characters seem more rounded (Pixar and Toy Story).

Line Boils- take a static drawing and repeat it. 

Development vs Run Time:
Run time of an animated piece is often disproportionate to the length of time it takes to produce. 
90 minute feature = 129,600 drawings.
3 minute animation at 24fps would take 4,320 separate drawings or movements. 

Rendering:
The process of generating an image from a 2D or 3D model via the use of computer games 

Tweening: 
When frames between two key movements are generated in digital animation to give a smooth appearance. 

Chrome Key:
A special effects technique for layering two images or video streams together. The subject is filmed or video streams together. The subject is filmed on blue or green screen. During post-production, the background is removed and replaced with CGI.

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