Unit 1: Introduction to Animation

Animation:
• Animation is the process of displaying still images in a rapid sequence to create the
illusion of movement.
• Animation is based on Phi phenomenon.
• These images can be hand drawn, computer generated, or pictures of 3D objects.
• There are three main types of animation:
i. Traditional
ii. Stop motion
iii. Computer generated

Phi phenomenon: The Phi phenomenon is the optical illusion of perceiving continuous
motion between separate objects viewed rapidly in succession.
Uses of Animation:
• Entertainment
• Education
• Advertising and Marketing
• Science and Technology
• Game Development
• Architecture and Design
Types of Animation:
Based on dimensions, animation can be primarily categorized into two types:
i. 2D Animation: It is a technique that creates the illusion of movement in a two-
dimensional space i.e. x-axis and y-axis.
ii.3D Animation: It is a technique that creates the illusion of movement in a three-
dimensional space i.e. x-axis, y-axis and z-axis.

Based on unique techniques and styles animation can also be in the following types:
1. Flip book animation
2. Traditional animation
3. Cut-out animation
4. Clay animation
5. Stop motion animation
6. Computer animation
Flip Book Animation: It is a classic technique where a series of still images, drawn on the
pages of a book, create the illusion of movement when flipped through quickly. Each page
represents a single frame of the animation.
Traditional Animation: It is also known as cel animation or hand-drawn animation. It is a
classic technique where each frame of a film is drawn by hand.
Traditionally animated feature films include - Pinocchio (United States, 1940), Animal Farm
(United Kingdom, 1954) and L’Illusionniste(British-French, 2010).
Traditional animated films which were produced with the aid of computer technology
include The Lion King (US, 1994), Akira (Japan, 1988), Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi
(Spirited Away) (Japan, 2001), -Les Triplettes de Belleville (France, 2003), and The Secret of
Kells (Irish-French- Belgian,2009)
Cut-out Animation: Cut-out animation is a stop-motion technique for producing animations,
using flat characters, props and backgrounds made out of different materials such as paper,
card, stiff fabric or even photographs.
Clay or Plasticine Animation: Clay animation, also known as Claymation. In this animation
characters are made using clay for animation.
Stop Motion Animation: It is a technique where physical objects are manipulated and
photographed frame by frame. This creates the illusion of movement when the frames are
played in sequence.
Computer Animation: It is often referred to as CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery). It is a
technique that uses computer software to create images, characters and environments that
appear in 2D or 3D animation.

Rotoscope: It is a device invented by Max Fleischer in 1915 and patented in 1917.

This device allow animators to trace over live-action movement, frame by frame, to create
more realistic animation.
Example: Lord of the Rings (US, 1978), Waking Life (US, 2001) and A Scanner Darkly (US,
2006), Guardians of the Galaxy.

Live-Action/Animation: It is a technique combining hand-drawn characters into live

action shots. One of the earlier uses was in Koko the Clown where Koko was drawn
over live action footage. Other examples include Who Framed Roger Rabbit(US, 1988),
Space Jam (US,1996)and-Osmosis Jones(US,2001).

Go Motion: It is a variant of model animation that uses various techniques to create

motion blur between frames of film, which is not present in traditional stop-motion.
The technique was invented by Industrial Light and Magic and Phil Tippett to create special
effects scenes for the film The Empire Strikes Back(1980).

Pixilation: It is a stop-motion animation technique where live actors are used as frame-by-
frame subjects. This allows for a number of surreal effects, including disappearances and
reappearances, allowing live actors to appear to slide across the ground, and other such
effects. Examples of pixilation include The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb and Angry Kid
Shorts.

2D Animation Software: Adobe Animate (Adobe Flash), Toon Boom Harmony, PowerPoint
Animation, etc.
3D Animation Software: Autodesk Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, etc.

Frame: A frame is defined as a single still image and the duration of time it is shown on the
screen. There are two types of frames:
1. Key frames: A keyframe is a frame that defines the starting or ending point of a some
changes in the object. The changes may be its color, shape, size, position, etc.
2. Tween frames: Tween frames are intermediate frames with the purpose of creating
smooth transition between two key frames. Tween frames actually create illusion
of motion.
Production Pipeline: An animation production pipeline is a structured process that outlines
the steps involved in creating an animation. It ensures efficiency, collaboration, and
consistency throughout the production process.
Depending on what project, types of animation(2D or 3D) and which animation studio is
involved, the number of steps may vary.
The 11 most common steps involved in producing a 3D animation project are given below:
1. Concept and Storyboards 2. 3DModelling 3. Texturing
4. Rigging 5. Animation 6. Lighting
7. Camera Setting 8. Rendering 9. Compositing and Special VFX
10. Music and Foley 11. Editing and Final Output
Pre-Production
•Concept Development: This is where the initial idea is conceived, the story is developed,
and the overall vision for the animation is established.
•Scriptwriting: A detailed script is written, outlining the dialogue, action, and camera
movements.
•Storyboarding: Visual representations of the story are created, breaking down the
narrative into key scenes. It helps in the placement of cameras and the timing of animation
during the production process.
•Animatic: A rough animation is created, combining storyboards with sound and timing, to
visualize the flow of the animation.
•Concept Art: Visual designs for characters, environments, and props are developed.

Production
•Modeling: 3D models of characters, objects, and environments are created using 3D
modeling software.
•Texturing: Textures and materials are applied to the models to give them realistic
appearance.
•Rigging: A digital skeleton is created for animated characters, allowing for control of their
movement.
•Animation: Animators bring the characters and objects to life by creating keyframes and
in-between frames.
•Lighting: Lighting is added to the scene to create mood and atmosphere.
•Rendering: The final images are generated by rendering the scene frame by frame.

Post-Production
•Compositing: Different elements of the animation, such as live-action footage, visual
effects, and sound, are combined to create the final image.
•Sound Design: Sound effects, music, and voiceovers are added to the animation.
•Color Correction and Grading: The overall color and tone of the animation are adjusted.
•Final Rendering: The final animation is rendered at high resolution for distribution.

Difference between 2D and 3D Animation:

Feature 2D Animation 3D Animation
Dimensionality Flat, two-dimensional Three-dimensional
Creation Process Drawing or digital painting 3D modeling and texturing
Perspective Limited perspective Realistic perspective
Complexity Simpler to create More complex to create
Applications Cartoons, video games, explainer videos Movies, video games,
commercials
Steps in the Animation Production Pipeline:
• Story Boarding
• Voice recording
• Concept Design
• Modelling
• Texturing
• Rigging
• Animation
Story Boarding: Visual representations of the story are created, breaking down the narrative
into key scenes. It helps in the placement of cameras and the timing of animation during the
production process.
Voice recording: Before the animators begin working on the different scenes, the voices are
recorded for the film. These recordings allow the animators to gain ideas for the action
based upon the movement of the actors.
Concept Design: Concept design is the process where artists visualize what the director
wants the film to look like. In this process, the characters and environment are created
through sketches. Later on, the modelers use these sketches as guidelines when they create
models in the computer.
Modelling: 2D sketches of the characters are used by modelers to design 3D characters
using software like 3D Maya, 3D Studio Max, Blender, etc..
Texturing: It is the process of applying 2D images (textures) to the surface of 3D models to
give them a realistic or stylized appearance. Think of it like wrapping a gift: the 3D model is
the gift, and the texture is the wrapping paper.
Rigging: It is the process of creating a digital skeleton or "rig" for a 3D model, which allows
animators to control its movement and deformation. The skeletal rig is made from joints
connected together. It's like creating a virtual puppet, with the rig serving as the puppet's
skeleton.
Animation: Once we have our models, our scene and cameras set up, we can start
animating based on our storyboard.