Computer Animation

Abstract

Although computer plays an ever-increasing role in animation, the term “computer animation” is imprecise and can sometimes be misleading. This is because the computer can play a variety of different roles:

• 1. In the creation of drawings

  • i) Key drawings can be digitized.

  • ii) Key drawings can be created with an interactive graphics editor

  • iii) Complex objects can be produced by programming

• 2. In-betweens can be completely calculated or complex motions can be directly generated by the computer

• 3. In coloring

  Drawings can be painted using an interactive computer system or complex and realistic images can be generated.

• 4. In shooting

  A physical camera can be controlled by computer, or virtual cameras can be completely programmed.

• 5. At the postproduction stage

  Editing and synchronization can be controlled by computer.