Animation Types and Techniques

Animation is an incredibly varied art form. Since its introduction in the early 1900s, it has evolved into many different styles and can be used in many different mediums, from television to the Internet to video games. Likewise, the types of animation and the techniques used to create them have multiplied over time. Animation studios that are capable of utilizing a wide variety of these techniques are well equipped to handle whatever animation project you require. Following are a few of today's most common types and techniques.

Traditional AnimationTraditional animation has been around since animation came into its own in the early 1900s. Otherwise known as drawn or classical animation, this type of animation is created by drawing the project's individual scenes and then combining them to give the impression of movement.

The earliest technique for creating traditional animation was hand drawing, in which each scene was drawn painstakingly by hand. The slightest change in the scene as the characters moved across it required a separate drawing. On average, every second of film required about 12 separate drawings. Because of the high number of drawings needed, it was a significantly time consuming process that required thousands of pictures to complete even very short films.

In addition, there are other techniques, such as rotoscoping, in which the animator traces over live action footage to create an animated version of that footage. Other styles, such as the Japanese form of animation, called anime, also use the drawn animation technique. Countless films, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Batman have utilized traditional animation.

Today, traditional animation studios are alive and well, due mostly to the introduction of technology that makes the project faster. For instance, the process has now been digitalized, allowing the drawings to be created quickly on the computer. It was this development of more efficient methods of drawing the scenes that allowed animation to become a powerful force in film making. Traditional animation, now that it has been digitalized by the use of computers, remains a popular animation technique in both movies and other mediums.

Cut Out AnimationAnother, less commonly known but frequently used animation technique is cut out animation. This form of 2D animation utilizes flat, cut out objects that can be moved around the page to more easily mimic movement. Each segment of each scene is created by moving these objects slightly and then photographing them. As in traditional animation, the segments are then combined to give the impression of movement. Unlike traditional animation, however, cut out animation is faster and easier.

The computer is now used to digitally create and manipulate the cutouts to create the images used in the animation project. This type of animation is being used today in some television shows, South Park being one of the most famous.

One computer program used today to create cut out animation is Adobe After Effects. After Effects animation uses the layers available in the After Effects program to create sophisticated animation projects using cut out techniques, though the program can also enable the use of other techniques, such as rotoscoping.

Stop motionStop motion animation applies the basic concepts underlying traditional animation to 3D objects such as puppets. In this technique, the animator sets up the scene using the 3D objects and films it. Next, they make the slight changes necessary to advance the scene (i.e. moving a limb) and film it again.

Each tiny change that is filmed is then combined to make it appear as if the characters in the film are moving. A subset of this type of animation is clay animation, which uses clay or plasticine objects in the animation. The movie James and the Giant Peach was created using stop motion animation.

Like hand drawn animation, stop motion animation is extremely time consuming, taking days to develop even a few seconds of film. However, the technique gives the animator an array of objects to use in the animation, and allows for a degree of versatility and creativity that is hard to beat.

Computer animationA common use of the computer in animation today is 3D animation. This form of animation has only recently become a popular technique. Otherwise known as computer generated images, it uses flash animation, motion capture techniques and more to create objects on the screen that appear to be three-dimensional.

While 3D animation is possible through the use of the computer, 2D animation has also blossomed through the use of the computer. It can be used to digitize any of the 2D animation techniques that have served the art form well over the last one hundred years. For instance, the computer can be used to draw animation in the manner of traditional animation. It can be used to create cut out animation, conduct rotoscoping, or develop anime. Its primary advantage is that it allows 2D animation companies to create this type of animation much faster and more efficiently than by using the original methods.

If you have an animation project you need to complete, an experienced animation studio should be able to offer you whatever techniques are necessary to bring your project to life. In consultation with your animation partner, you should be able to determine which techniques will best serve your vision for the project and develop an animated film, ad, video game, or educational piece that will meet your needs.