3D CGI Animation

3D CGI animation is the next step from 2D animation. Using similar techniques to 2D CGI, but now there are more dimension to animate and more complicated programs and tools.

3D animation artists will generally use 3D  object builders to make the desired characters and objects which will then be taken into animation software.

Again, this technique can be very time consuming, even more so than traditional 2D animation as there are now 3 Dimensions worth of points and angles to animate.

3d CGIA is often attributed to Alan Kitching. He is responsible for develop a software called Antics which allowed users to create animation without needing any programming.

The most famous 3D Animation studio is arguably Pixar studios who are most famous for their Toy Story movies. They also helped pioneer 3D animation with their shorts from the 80's

2D Computer Graphic Animation

2D animation is similar to traditional animation techniques except that it is created by using computer software like Flash animator.

Artists using this technique will often use a graphics tablet to draw using drawing software on a computer. The advantages of this being that it does not use physical resources.

The first person to pioneer 2d Computer based graphics was John Whitney around the 1940's/50's.

It became more common in the1960s when digital computers had become widely established. The late 90's and early 2000's saw a rise in 2D Flash animation on the internet. which then progressed to more mainstream TV shows.

Zoetrope

The zoetrope technique of animation makes further use of the 'Persistance of vision' phenomenon

It consists of a cylinder with slits cut vertically. The inner surface of the cylinder has a band with images from a sequence of pictures. As the cylinder spins, the user looks through the slits at the pictures across. The scanning of the slits keeps the pictures from blurring together, and the user sees a rapid succession of images, producing the illusion of motion.

There is much deliberation on when this technique was invented as there exists examples of similar ideas on ancient vases. The vase has a sequence of goats on the inside that seem to follow the zoetrope technique however this may be for decorative purposes and not intentionally as an animation.

Cell Animation

Cell animation refers to a technique in which a succession of transparent sheets have animation stills 'Inked' then painted on one side. The sheets will then be placed in order thus the animation comes together

A cel is a sheet of transparent cellulose acetate used as a medium for painting animation frames. It is transparent so that it can be laid over other cels and/or a painted background, then photographed.

This technique is very time consuming as each frame needs to match the last with minor adjustments made to animate the subject. If done well with enough attention to detail the results can look amazing however due to the fact it can take so much time, certain techniques (Limited animation) were created in order to reduce time and cost, this can have an adverse effect on the overall look and feel of the cartoon.

The invention of the technique is generally attributed to Earl Hurd, who patented the process in 1914