2D & 3D Animation

Animation is a speedy display of images in 2-Dimension or 3-Dimension, creating an illusion of movement. As a matter of fact, animation cannot be made possible without the phenomenon of persistence of vision. Common examples of animation are motion pictures or video programs. More so, progressive development of software programs has contributed in colossal dimensions to the concept of animation.

What is 2D Animation?

2-D animation figures are created or edited using 2D bitmap graphics or 2D vector graphics. Traditional animation techniques such as tweening, morphing, onion skinning and interpolated rotation can be modified into computerized versions for 2D animation. These techniques were used in various popular films.

Furthermore, Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) including Microsoft Windows, MAC OS, or Linux are based on 2D graphical concepts. 2D animation is used to create a 2D virtual environment that is able to interact with the computer. Several 2D graphical editors or drawing programs are available to create images and edit diagrams and illustration by direct manipulation. MacDraw introduced by MAC line of computers is an earlier example of this kind. More recent examples are Adobe Illustrator and Corel DRAW.

Image editors are able to manipulate digital images by means of free hand diagrams or paintings or signal processing operations. One of the first image editors is Apple’s Mac Paint while present day examples are GIMP editor, Adobe Photoshop and Paint pro Shop.

Difference between 2D Animation & 3D Animation

3D animations are digitally modeled and controlled by an animator. In this type of animation, objects are modeled using 3D figures rigged with virtual skeleton, whereas in 2D animation, separate objects and transparent layers are made with or without a skeleton. Also in 3D, the limbs, mouth, clothes are moved on key frames. Finally, only the animation is rendered.
Furthermore, in 3D animation, all frames are rendered only after modeling is completed. The animator creates a reduced representation of a character’s anatomy analogous to stick figure or a skeleton.

The position of every part of the skeleton model is characterized by variables called animation variables or Avatars. Many human features like facial expressions can also be represented using Avatars. For example, in many animated films, over 500 Avatars are used of which one hundred is for facial expression alone. The computer will not use the skeleton model directly, but will use such a model to fix the position of the character into an image. By altering the Avatar values time to time, the animator is capable of moving the character.

In today's world of animation, a more innovative technique called motion capture that makes use of live action models has been developed. When you combine computer animation with a motion capture technique, a real life performance is created. And it is as if the character is being animated. Several films like Lord of the rings, Avatar, Chronicles of Narnia were made using these animation services such as computer animation coupled with motion capture.

2D/3D Animation Services

Animation is not reserved solely for the film industry; it is also used for online gaming websites and other media related sites. Web design companies like Flying Cow Design, provides clients with 2D/3D Animation services. Pricing for animation services all depends on the complexity of your project.

When searching for a professional design company for 2D/3D Animation services, make sure you conduct your research before making your final decision. When it comes to animation, it has to be created the right way; otherwise, it will defeat the purpose of having animation. After all, the key to successful animation is providing your viewers with a positive visual experience.

Make sure you conduct thorough research and ask the web design company for samples of the previous 2D/3D Animation projects. You may also want to ask for references. A skilled designer will ensure that your 2D/3D animation project is a success.