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VFX vs Animation: Difference Between CGI and Animation

VFX vs Animation: What’s the difference?

We all have seen and heard about Animation and VFX which is a very in thing in the new time and age. Movies, Advertisements, it has become a part of media and is a very important part of whole new industry altogether. But do you know exactly what it is and whats the difference between these two subjects. Let us take a lovely dip into the unknown and explore it a bit.

What is Animation?

Animation is the process of by which images are used to bring the illusion of motion by the rapid movement of those images in a sequence.
Animations can be recorded or stored in various equipment and formats. Some recording would be flip books, video tapes, motion picture movies or on digital media and some of the formats on which it is stored are digital video or flash animations.

The first signs of animations that were discovered would be dated back 5000 years ago in Iran, where explorer found an artifact which seemed to have a sequence of a Desert Ibex jumping to eat leaves from a tree.

Let us now move on to the different kinds of Animation.

1. Traditional Animation

In this, pictures are drawn on transparent acetate sheets called cells and photographed by keeping them against a background. It is taken frame by frame and each frame is slightly different than the other. This process was mostly used in the 20th century for motion picture films.

2. Stop Motion Animation

This type of animation refers using real world objects and physically manipulating them to create the illusion of movement. In this also frame by frame photography is used. Under this there are different kinds of stop motion animation and usually named after the material used. This kind of animation is less expensive and time taking.

3. Computer Animation

As the name suggests these are animations made via the use of computers and software. It is divided into 2 segments:-

a. 2D Animation – Animations like this refer to the manipulation of images and 2d vector graphics. The process involves techniques like traditional animation, onion skinning, interpolated morphing and rotoscopy.

b. 3D Animation –This animation refers to creating of 3 dimensional graphics. The animator gets a rigged model and works to make the illusion of movement.

Since animation has become such a big part of the media there are jobs available for those who live and breathe this profession. The different types of jobs available in regards to the animation field are :-

  1. 3D modeler
  2. Rigging Artist
  3. Texturing Artist
  4. Lighting Artist
  5. 2D and 3D Animator

There are many other segments in all these types of animation but lets see what VFX(Visual effects) has that will amaze you.

What is Visual Effects(VFX)?

Visual effects is the process of creating and manipulating imagery which is computer generated and combine it with live action shots, when it comes to film making or any form of video visual. This it done to get outputs which would be very expensive, dangerous and maybe impossible to get on film. VFX, now a days is easily accessible through animations and compositing software.

Timing : VFX is one of the most crucial elements in making of a film and is usually integrated during the post production of the movie, but the planning of this is choreographed during the planning phase.

The Categorization of Visual effects can be done in Four Segments:-

1. Matte Painting

This kind of imagery has the combination of different kind of images and objects which further with editing is merged together to create a single image of the desired output.

2. Live Action Effects

This process involves keying of actors by means of blue or green screening.

3. Digital Animation

Particle Effects, digital sets and background, composting and rotoscopy all fall under this category and involve using of software to add or remove elements as per requirements of the film.

Now that we have seen that Visual Effects is all the awesomeness we see in the movies lets check what the job opportunities are:-

  1. Composting Artist
  2. Rotoscopy Artist
  3. Matte Painter
  4. Paint Artist
  5. 3D Match Moving

In Animation as well as Visual Effects, when it comes to the payroll it all depends on how good your work is and how much knowledge you have to take you and your company to new heights. The more advanced you are, the better package you receive.We hope that this difference between VFX and CG has cleared your doubts and provided you clarity towards your goals.

A proper studio tour will give you a conceptual idea and get the practical understanding between VFX vs Animation.

Written by Avantika Bade on February 11th, 2016
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