Author: Bob Aug 01, 2023 7 min read
Have you ever heard of creating CGI short films? CGI stands for computer-generated imagery. They’re these awesome short movies that are completely made using special software on a computer. The best part is, you can create your very own CGI software animations and share them on video platforms, add them to your portfolio, or even sell them for some extra profit.
CGI’s net income for the twelve months ending June 30, 2023, was $1.178B, a 2.86% increase year-over-year. CGI software’s annual net income for 2022 was $1.148B, a 5.95% increase from 2021.
You don’t need to be a tech genius anymore to get into computer animation. Nowadays, we’ve got some fantastic online generators designed to make cartoons super simple and fast. In this article, we will take a more clear look at CGI software in the modern world.
It all started back in the ’60s and ’70s when some super smart folks like Ivan Sutherland and Edwin Catmull began experimenting with digital images on computers.
However, the real breakthrough came with “Star Wars” in 1977, which blew everyone away with its special effects, thanks to Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). Then in 1982 “Tron” came, which took things to a whole new level by creating a digital world using CGI animation software.
Pixar jumped into the game in the ’80s with their short film “Luxo Jr.” and later wowed us with “Toy Story” in 1995—the first-ever full-length computer-animated film. It was a game-changer, proving that CGI creations could tell compelling stories and touch our hearts.
Since then, technology has been on a roll, making CGI even better and more realistic. We’ve seen amazing CGI creatures in live-action films like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Avatar.” Moreover, who doesn’t love those adorable characters from “Shrek,” “Ice Age,” and “Despicable Me”?
AI and deep learning have jumped on the bandwagon too, making cartoons even cooler. They’re helping create those jaw-dropping scenes we love. The journey of CGI in animation is far from over. With all the tech advancements happening, we can only imagine what incredible spirited worlds await us in the future.
Back in the early days, cartoons were all about hand-drawn 2D animation. Can you believe that for just one second of movement, artists had to draw the scene 12 times? It was a labor of love, and the result was those lovable characters and captivating stories.
Fast-forward to today, and we’re more familiar with CGI 3D animation. It’s mind-blowing how realistic it looks. Engineers even use it to map out projects before physically working on them.
Now, the big question is, which animation style is better—traditional or modern CGI? To find the answer, let’s discover the details of both types, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and what sets them apart from each other.
Creating CGI animations is not just for the pros, you can do it from the comfort of your own home too. All you need is some creativity and the right tools. Let us walk you through the steps to get started.
While drawing spirits, think about their personalities, appearances, and quirks that will make them unique and lovable. Creating several versions of each character will help you refine their designs and get to know them better.
As your characters come to life on the sketch pad, start weaving a story around them. What adventures or challenges will they face? How will they interact with each other and the world around them? Let your creativity flow as you develop a captivating plot for your project.
When it comes to CGI animation, you’ll need some specialized software to work with. The good news is that there are options for everyone. Some software is free to use, but keep in mind that some premium ones might require a subscription.
Building a model is where it all starts. You get to play around with cool things like polygons and shapes to craft your fantastic 3D or 2D CGI software animation. It’s like being an artist but with the magic of technology.
In CGI, textures are like the skin or surface of your 3D model. They add something special to it, making it look and feel more natural, just like the textures you see in the real world.
Adding surfaces to your model is a super fun and creative process. You can find premade textures from various sources, or you can create your own. There are plenty of online libraries with a wide range of grains to choose from, so you can pick the ones that best match your vision.
Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. For instance, if you’re using Adobe Animate, just turn to the nifty Asset Warp free tool. It’ll let you add bones and joints to your character design, giving it that flexible and dynamic look. You can easily create key movements and smoothly transition between them using the “tween” feature. It’s like giving your character a virtual skeleton that makes CGI animation a breeze.
Feel free to take your rig for a test run and see whether it’s aligning with your initial vision. Don’t be concerned if it’s not flawless from the start; that’s completely typical. Once you identify any aspects that could be enhanced, simply return to your rig and make adjustments to the key motions until it moves precisely as you desire.
Now that you’ve got the basics of your CGI animation down, it’s time to add some extra magic to it. Backgrounds, lighting, and other visual effects can truly elevate your animation and make it stand out.
Remember, it’s normal if your animation isn’t perfect from the get-go. Don’t be discouraged. Like anything in life, practice makes perfect. Keep testing different approaches and drilling your skills to fine-tune your animation and bring out the best in it.
Go ahead and experiment with various backgrounds, play around with lighting to set the mood, and don’t forget to add visual effects that make your characters and scenes more captivating.
Creating CGI animation is an exciting journey that opens up a world of endless possibilities. By including such cartoons in your strategy, you’re tapping into a powerful tool that can captivate audiences, tell compelling stories, and take your projects to new heights. Remember, the key to successful CGI software animation lies in a blend of technical know-how and artistic flair. With computer-generated imagery, you can transport your viewers to fantastical realms, bring mythical creatures to life, or even visualize complex data in an engaging way.
Collaboration with Wow-How Studio is your surefire way to leave a lasting impression on your audience with perfect CGI and keep clients coming back for more. Contact us to update your project!
