The difference between animation and visual effects is something that’s not always easy to understand. They’ve both become so ubiquitous in the film industry that they’re often treated as interchangeable terms, but there are some key differences which we will discuss hereby know the differences between what is animation and what is VFX and how both are related in Filmmaking.
Animation:
Animation is the technique that uses computer graphics to create movement in a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) art medium. It’s used for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, but some 2D animated films are also produced. In traditional hand-drawn animation, each frame is drawn by hand on a clear celluloid sheet called an animatic or animatic film, which allows the animation team to plan the flow of action.
Visual Effects (VFX):
Visual effects (VFX), in the motion picture industry, refers to the use of visual effects techniques to digitally produce imagery for use in film and television, advertisements, and video games. VFX is often used with practical effects, which are usually accomplished during camera filming of live-action footage. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery (digital video).
There are a variety of VFX techniques that can be used to produce visual effects; these include many traditional animation techniques, such as model animation, backlight animation, and matting. These are blended with computer-generated imagery (CGI) and digital compositing techniques.
Difference between animation and visual effects
One is for cartoons—and one is for real people.
Animation is the process of making a motion picture by recording every single frame that goes into the movie. Each frame is hand-drawn, either by hand or digitally, and when combined with other frames to create an animated sequence. It’s what you see in movies like Toy Story and Zootopia: cartoon characters moving and talking, each one a perfect little world unto itself.
Visual effects, on the other hand, are created by combining real-life footage with computer-generated graphics. Think of the showdown at the end of the first Avengers movie: it’s all real people, but there are also huge Alien ships flying around and crashing into buildings. The Hulk works because he’s actually there and is manipulated in the character as Hulk; There are many sequences with Iron Man where he is not practically there and was added later with CGI.
Animation and visual effects are both used in movies, but their purposes are a little different. Animation is used to make drawings come alive, and Visual Effects are used to manipulate what we see on screen.
