Define the term 2D animation. Explain the techniques and development of 2D animation. Compare the affect, pros and cons of these different styles.
How can we define 2D animation? 2D animation is the creation of moving pictures in a two dimensional environment. This is achieved by sequencing images one after the other to simulate movement. This is different from 3D animation as 3D animation creates three dimensional worlds that characters or objects can move around in.
2D animation has a long history. Whilst nowadays most big budget animations are done in 3D, 2D animation is still used frequently. History
Flick Books are one of the simplest forms of creating animation. It involves creating a sequence of images over many pages in a book that will give the illusion of movement when each page is viewed in rapid succession.
Before the creation of computer animation software, animations were created by hand. This technique was called Cel Shading. 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 was used as the preferred method of animating until the invention of computers in the 1980’s. 1928 short film by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. Debut of Mickey Mouse. Steamboat Willie
A storyboard is created An animatic is created Backgrounds and characters are drawn Actors record their lines The director then puts all this information onto a Dope Sheet - this helps to work out the timing of movement.
This is the most time consuming part of creating the animation. A huge team of people work on drawing the outlines, inking and then painting in the colours. These are then photographed according to the instructions on the dope sheet.
Rotoscoping was created in 1917 by Max Fleischer. Animators trace over live action film frame by frame. This technique allows animators to use real actors performances, give an animated style to film or use animation in a stylized or creative manner. Waking Life
This technique combines cel shading with live action film. Although this technique is now often replaced by CGI it has a history of making successful films. Who Framed Roger RabbitFramed Space Jam
This is where an animator will take a collection of photographic stills and put them together to create animation. It is in essence basic stop motion animation. This technique can be combined with image manipulation to create interesting outcomes. Optimist video
Nowadays most 2D animations are created with computers. Using computers allows animators to produce animation much quicker as they don’t have to redraw each frame. Computers can automatically animate by “tweening” or “morphing” objects between frames. This greatly reduces the workload of the animator.
Bitmap and Vector Graphics There are two main types of graphics used in 2D computer animations Bitmap graphics are made of a set amount of pixels in a grid. This means if the image is resized it may distort and lose quality. Vector graphics are made up of mathematical equations. This means that they are always at their highest quality no matter how their aspects may change.
What software is used to create animations... After Effects Anime Studio Toon Boom Studio PowerPoint Flash
Cinema Advertising Children’s television Music Videos Computer Games Mobile phone interfaces Websites
You have been asked by Hyperion Books (owned by the Walt Disney Company) to create produce a chapter for a book being published about animation. They have asked for you to write a chapter on the history of 2D animation techniques. The book is aimed at year olds and should be written so that they will understand. You must also use illustrated stills to support your writing. You may be as imaginative as you like in the layout and design of your chapter.
Define the term 2D animation. Explain the techniques and development of 2D animation. Compare the affect, pros and cons of these different styles.