An imaginary world in three dimensions

2004/04/01 Lexartza Artza, Irantzu - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Irudiak/Soinuak

Cartolitoon

Animation consists of putting several images in a continuous sequence to create illusion of movement. Through these images, animators try to tell stories.

Today they try to make increasingly credible figures. Important contributions have been made to this end, such as the improvement of two-dimensional images, the integration of three-dimensional elements, and finally three-dimensional infographics or computer animation.

The most prestigious results of these innovations come from the United States, especially from two studies. PIXAR, which until recently has been associated with Disney, published Toy Story in 1995. A couple of years later, Dreamworks studios published Inurri (Antz). Then came Shrek, Munstroak S. A. (Monsters Inc.) , in search of Nemo ('Finding Nemo'), etc. But before Toy Story we had the opportunity to see 3D animation in the cinema. 3D resources were already used in two-dimensional films and are still being used today. Sample of this are, for example, the dance scene of the Beauty and the Beast, or the backgrounds of the Trip of Chihiro and some spectacular scenes.

It is becoming a three-dimensional infographic.

PDI/Dreamworks

The use of computers has had a great importance in this transformation of animation. Apparently, in addition, the animators have influenced the imagination to find resources. In fact, the animation has used many technological supports that were not initially created for it. The Flash program, for example, was designed for use on the Internet, but nowadays it is used a lot in two-dimensional animations, since in addition to being economical, its edition is very simple.

The same happened with 3D techniques. Initially, the animators saw the possibilities of the different programs that were developed for engineering and design and used them to work. Therefore, the technological industries adapted the software to the needs of the animation world. Among them are three: Maya, Soft> and 3D Studio MAX.

Spectacular and sophisticated technique

Numerous tools and software for 3D animation have been developed.

Gravir

2D and 3D are two ways to display data. Previously drawn images are stored in 2D. 3D stores information about an object such as vertices, polygons, etc. 3D objects can be viewed from any angle, rotating or adapting using equations. Real images are constructed to ‘exist’ in three dimensions and move in any perspective.

At first, follow the same steps to make a film in both 2D and 3D. With the script begins the preparation of the animation. Then they prepare a script of images, drawn on paper the draft of the story. Then, they have to define the appearance of the characters, starting with simple lines and later with elaborate color illustrations. These illustrations are models to work with the computer, and there the animation work begins to be different.

Ecam

In some cases views are prepared for the three-dimensional development of the characters: preliminary, lateral, high, posterior... Other times what is in the images is done in three dimensions using clay or other material. In this case, once the desired character is obtained, two systems can be used to digitize it. On the one hand, you can use three-dimensional scanners and on the other hand, you can directly give some parameters of creation of the character using software for it. It is important, in any case, to give appropriate values to the programs to achieve logical movements of the character.

Each character must have a definite movement style (cartoona, realistic human movement...). Depending on the desired effect, two systems are mainly used. When you want a realistic movement you can use the motion capture system. In it are collected the movements of the actors to give the images. This system can trap the thick and thin movement of the body. When the character does not need a realistic movement, programs specifically prepared for these cases can be used.

Once the animation is done, the steps left to finish the film (editing, post-production, etc.) are the same in each of the techniques. Although technology has evolved a lot, it is difficult to do a three-dimensional animation and get a good quality job. After all, if you see the film there is a mistake, the story is incredible for the viewer and is not included in the story.

The funds have gained great importance in the films.

Free announcement

3D has been a great image quality, but not all the results have been so good. In the initial animations the movement was very ‘hard’ (and today it still exists in some cases).

According to some experts, the images were so real that the creative part was limited. According to them, although animation is a technical process, the result must be creative and not get realistic images, but credible.

Resources can greatly limit the end result and, in addition to technical issues, most animators also have other problems to develop their work. The world of animation works like any other industry and you have to work many times with little money and time. This logically affects the quality of the work.

Three-dimensional animations have brought many changes to the world of cartoons. They have managed to make more spectacular films to a large extent, have improved the image quality and have contributed hyperrealism. According to the animators, more real fictitious images are now available.

The body is represented much better: muscles, skin, everything can show well. 3D animation software can differentiate movements from different parts of characters. For example, you can make clothes, hair and body animations separately and overlay the images. In addition, secondary action can be integrated into animation, making environments and decorations become living beings.

For many animators, movies like Shrek, Toy Story or the Ice Age will kill 2D animation. But 2D has also developed a lot in recent years, and others believe that after the 3D boom they will continue to use both systems.

Nowadays, many films are made by combining both techniques. In addition, animators constantly seek new paths and in addition to mixing 2D and 3D infographics, they are mixing other techniques such as dolls, real decorations, plasticine characters, etc. We must therefore see what the future will entail.

The creators who work in this world agree on at least one thing: the heart of animation films is the script, and techniques are only resources to carry it out. Good story and good realization make quality animation.

Mixing real images and cartoons is a known technique. Through it have been achieved some of the best-known episodes of cinema (the fair of Mary Poppins, the crazy football game of Bedknobs and broomsticks among the jungle animals, the world of Roger Rabbit…). Films of this kind have also been made in Euskal Herria, such as El rey de la granja.

Cartolitoon

Uniting real people and drawings, it is especially difficult to obtain credible results. In recent years, the challenge has also been to unify the real image and three-dimensional infographics, and new technologies have also been developed in this field.

The work of these films consists of two parts. In the first three independent elements are worked. On the one hand, the real performers work on a special set where the images are recorded with a film camera, on the other hand the decorations are worked and on the other hand the animated characters. Below are images, decorations and virtual characters recorded with film camera. The correct realization of this mixture is essential to achieve good results. If the authors get viewers to see their carnal and imaginary characters at the same level, it is a good sample of their work.

It seems that in recent years animation cinema has gained a lot of strength; many children's movies have components for adults and the work of the animators is very appreciated. But not everywhere.

Define the style of movement according to the nature of the character.

PDI/Dreamworks

In Euskal Herria the world of animation is very small, there are few producers and working conditions are not always so suitable. In the production company Dibulitoon they perform custom work and own production. They say that an animator here has to do an average of two plans a week. The animators of the large American studios make a monthly plan. In addition, in Euskal Herria there are many difficulties in getting proper training, since there is no school to learn new techniques.

However, one cannot say that there is little talent. In fact, the Basque Country has exported many animators, some of them started in small producers here and have subsequently gone to European or American markets. In addition, several Basque productions have received the approval of criticism and nomination for the awards.

But even when performing good quality jobs, they face tough competition, as there is a big difference with other productions in technical, economic and marketing media. An example of this is Dibulitoon Glup. Goya was nominated for the awards and, however, has been launched four months late. It premiered at Christmas, but the competition against rings and fish seemed too complicated.