Computer Animation

Computers changed the whole playing field for animation. Most people don't actually understand the extent as the results have slipped seamlessly into our computers, onto our TVs and the big screen. Computer animation actually gives us the ability to create effects and video that we were never able to achieve before.

Computer animation >

3D & 2D animation with computers

Animation actually refers to any kind of animated graphic, not just 3D. Animation itself has been around since paper was invented, and the process of 2D and 3D animation production still boils down the the same basics as drawing cartoon figures on a book and flipping the pages over. This basic form of 2D animation still resembles the final output of 3D animation.

2D and 3D computer animation both converge in that they are a scripted series of moves that are exported or played back as a series of frames. The term "frames per second" refers to the number of animation frames played back within a one second time frame.

2D computer animation

Computer animation in the 2D sense is seen often with applications like Flash. Few people know that this popular internet presentation authoring tool had it's beginnings as an animation application and that it's strong web based presence was an evolution. The movie graphics, buttons, sound and effects are all a form of 2D computer animation.

Many people use simplistic 2D computer animation with applications like Powerpoint.

Video editors use applications like After Effects, Final Cut and others to create titling and animated effects for their productions.

3D computer animation

3D is what most people think of when referring to computer animation. Right now it is also where the "action" is with animation due to it's flexibility. The process is different to 2D in that a scene is made in 3D well before any animation starts. Then there are more than one level of animation, such as:

  • Character animation
  • Camera animation
  • Physic and dynamics
  • Composited objects

All of these combine and then the final frame by frame computer animation is generated.

Computerized character animation

Movies like Shrek and Toy Story are examples of character animation. Each character is created and motions added to make it interact with the story, lip sync to the words, etc. It's a complicated process but fortunately computers are getting better at aiding the 3D animator by automating some tasks. The movement of lips can be automated and motion of some body parts can simulate real world motions, jerks and reactions.

Camera Animation

This the most simple form of 3D computer animation. It is simply the movement of the camera throughout the 3D scene. The motions come together just as a real world film shoot would take place and then the scene is rendered to produce the animation frames from the viewpoint of the 3D camera.

Advanced effects using computer animation

Archiform 3D uses camera tracking extensively for exterior scenes. The process involves shooting real life high-definition video footage and using computers to determine the path of the real camera in 3D space. This data is then used within the 3D scene to create a duplicated motion that can be overlayed back onto the real video footage. In this case the computer animation is synced perfectly to match real life motion.

3D camera tracking >

Guide to 3D computer animations on this site >

Archiform 3D animated show reel >

3D Animated Video

Archiform 3D was an early adopter of 3D animation back in the early 1990s. We broke past the barriers of technology and hardware limitations to bring 3D fly-through video and animated effects to VHS, DVD and now High-Definition. Our animations are created by our artists from your plans and ideas on powerful workstations. Archiform 3D’s large investment into clustered super computing power also ensures high-quality and on-time delivery. Today our 3D animations are available to most companies and we can quote from just plans or sketches.

Archiform 3D USA LLC
Miami, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada

Archiform 3D Pty Ltd
Gold Coast. Queensland. Australia

Archiform Ltd
The Bahamas

USA toll free sales: 877 285 1049
USA toll free production: 866 887 3061

Miami, FL: 786 866 5931
New York, NY: 646 485 1085
Los Angeles, CA: 213 596 9108

Canada, Vancouver, BC: 778 786 1351

Australia: +61 1300 554 129
UK: +44 20 7096 1164
Middle East: +92 333 516 4119

Copyright Archiform Ltd: This web site and it's content are subject to international copyright laws. Renderings, images, text, movie and video files may not be distributed to third parties or used elsewhere without the permission of Archiform Ltd or it's licensees.
Archiform 3D home
3D Rendering and Animation Gallery
Archiform 3D Show Reel
Scale Models
Video Production
Colored plans
Archiform 3D Services
Archiform 3D Key People
Prices
Archiform 3D Contact
Employment
Archiform 3D News
Architectural Rendering
 
Archiform 3D Logo
Peninsula 3D Gallery 3d architectural rendering of the polaris project
3d architectural rendering of the polaris project Villas of Aventura Renderings and Animations
> 3D Animation
> Architectural Renderings
> 3D Renderings
> Scale Models
> 3D Virtual Tours
> Stereoscopic 3D
> Architectural Visualization
> 3D House renderings
> Interior Design Renderings
> Computer Animation
> Colored Floor/Site Plans
> 3D Accident Reconstruction
> Digital Art
> Virtual Reality
> 3D Art
> 3D Images
> 3D Pictures