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For years, the growth of 3D Animation technology has pushed animation development to newer levels. From the early years of the flipbook to the recent creations of graphic animation technology sure has helped animation move from two to three dimensional.
Recent technology that facilitates this growth includes digital pens, tablets, and digital sculpting tools. High-end 3D animation technology also enables modelling, rendering, 3d animation, and lighting. You can also create custom software to add something a little extra to your final product.
Signs of modern 3D animation technology can be seen in video games, movies, and television. You would think 3D animation didn’t exist before the invention of computers, and you couldn’t be far from the truth. Before computers, animators created their animated characters using hand drawings. This resulted in the tedious task of keeping track of each drawing that made up a sequence.
The 3D animation technology has changed considerably with the introduction of computers and graphic processing hardware. Computers didn’t make the length of time required to create an animated movie any less. However, the quality of the output has improved due to computers and technology.
During the 1980s, new technology was used more widely, allowing the 3D animation industry to evolve and change its ways from the old ways of creating 3D animation. The way robots are used in manufacturing, new technology meant that machines would do most of the work in the world of animation as well. When the computer was widely popular, people were afraid that computers would take over their livelihood.
Thanks to the short film Technological Threat, produced by Brian Jennings and Bill Kroyer, the fear of losing jobs was reduced. The film clearly illustrated that computer 3D animation was integrating the traditional animation-making method with technology. The film explained how there is a place for both in the world. These days, a combination of computer 3D animation technology and traditional 3D animation is usually required.
Computer animation was never meant to nor will ever replace traditional hand-drawn characters. Computers are simply viewed as another tool in the animator’s toolkit. Just because one owns a drill does not make a screwdriver obsolete! Both methods play an essential role and come with their own sets of pros and cons. A tool is only as good as the person using it. The same goes for computer 3D animations technology. The animator’s natural creativity and skill must come through and onto the technological platform to realise technology’s full potential.
Even today, traditional 3D animation receives both nominations and awards. A great example of this is the movie The Princess & The Frog which has been nominated for “Best Animated Feature Film” at the Golden Globes. Other examples include the all-time epic Beauty and the Beast, French animated film Triplets of Belleville and Paperman which recently received an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Traditional 3D animations aren’t just contained in the space of movies and big screens. Hit prime time cartoon show The Simpsons being a very well-known and loved example.
Yet, with all the praise for traditional 3D animation, computer animations are equally important. They create a virtual space for 3D animation processes and, together with the animator’s talent, produce previously impossible results. The Tiger in the Life of Pi by Ang Lee is the best example. It was due to technology that such a life-like animation was made possible.
Animators and 3D animation studios continue to combine the latest technology with natural creativity, pushing the bar even higher. This keeps the audience glued to their chairs, and most importantly, it makes them come back for more!