Comprehensive Guide To 3D TV - 3D Animation
3D TV Manufacturers & Models - Get the latest info on new available 3D TVs from the leading manufacturers -
Toshiba Samsung Mitsubishi Panasonic Sony LG Vizio Philips Sharp Loewe
Toshiba Samsung Mitsubishi Panasonic Sony LG Vizio Philips Sharp Loewe
3D Animation
The staggering speed with which 3D TVs have begun filling up the marketed lines of the major manufacturers is leading to an increased interest in 3D animation.
The best movies have always striven to bring imagination to the screen. This is a simple process for reality-based stories. Finding a way to create the more fantastical elements dreamed up by directors and screenwriters required movie-making tricks. To accomplish the task, filmmakers originally used techniques like rotoscoping or superimposition.
Rotoscoping involved taking a length of film and painstakingly drawing or painting effects onto each frame. Superimposition, on the other hand, required two lengths of film-one with effects created by hand, the other a length of shot footage-and placing one image on top of the other. This process would marry both visuals together into a single length of film.
Both of these techniques were extremely time consuming and tedious. But special effects creation has now moved into the realm of computers. Using computers to create 3D animation also allows filmmakers to create even more astonishing effects than could be produced previously. Rather than being limited to two dimensions, effects artists can create full 3D animation elements, viewable form every possible angle.
There are three steps to creating 3D effects: modeling, animation, and rendering. The first step, 3D modeling, is accomplished by artists using a computer program to build wireframe models in the shape of a desired object. Once the wireframe has been completed, artists then draw a 2D image known as a texture, which is then wrapped around the wireframe to create a final model. Models can also be created by scanning a real object with a series of cameras. The cameras move around the object to be modeled, viewing it from every angle and sending all that information to a computer. The computer then translates the information into a 3D model.
Once the models have been completed, the next step is animation. Models are placed within a scene, and then the models are mapped onto previously determined movements. Movements can be created by using either key frames or motion capture. Using key frames, the artist chooses the most important frames, building each one by placing the models in the appropriate position. Once all the key frames have been built, a computer program fills in the gaps, creating other frames that show the movements of each model.
Motion capture is entirely different. Motion capture allows filmmakers to determine every movement beforehand, rather than relying on a computer. This process involves outfitting an actor with dozens of tiny sensors. These sensors track every movement made by the actor. Artists then take that movement information and map the model on top of it. Then the computerized model will follow every movement the real-life actor made.
Finally, after the models have built and the animations completed, it's time to render the animation. Rendering is a process to create a photorealistic look to computer-generated imagery. An artist determines the light transport, or the light sources and saturation over each model surface, and enters that information into a rendering program. The program will then go frame by frame, adding the proper light at the proper levels to the scene.
Once the scene has been modeled, animated, and rendered, the 3D image is converted to a 2D image so it can be projected on theater screens.
One of the most successful 3D animation studios is Pixar Animation, who are responsible for much of the high quality 3D content we've seen so far. Since Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story, in 1995, the company has been leading the way in 3D animation. The animators have even created new software and rendering techniques to further the format. Thanks to their 10 feature films, Pixar has earned 24 Academy Awards and more than $5.5 billion in worldwide ticket and DVD sales. This success has led to the company's expansion into television and soon even live-action films.
With filmmakers like Pixar making such great strides in 3D animation, it may soon come to pass that we will no longer be able to tell the difference between flesh-and-blood actors and computer-generated models.
The staggering speed with which 3D TVs have begun filling up the marketed lines of the major manufacturers is leading to an increased interest in 3D animation.
The best movies have always striven to bring imagination to the screen. This is a simple process for reality-based stories. Finding a way to create the more fantastical elements dreamed up by directors and screenwriters required movie-making tricks. To accomplish the task, filmmakers originally used techniques like rotoscoping or superimposition.
Rotoscoping involved taking a length of film and painstakingly drawing or painting effects onto each frame. Superimposition, on the other hand, required two lengths of film-one with effects created by hand, the other a length of shot footage-and placing one image on top of the other. This process would marry both visuals together into a single length of film.
Both of these techniques were extremely time consuming and tedious. But special effects creation has now moved into the realm of computers. Using computers to create 3D animation also allows filmmakers to create even more astonishing effects than could be produced previously. Rather than being limited to two dimensions, effects artists can create full 3D animation elements, viewable form every possible angle.
There are three steps to creating 3D effects: modeling, animation, and rendering. The first step, 3D modeling, is accomplished by artists using a computer program to build wireframe models in the shape of a desired object. Once the wireframe has been completed, artists then draw a 2D image known as a texture, which is then wrapped around the wireframe to create a final model. Models can also be created by scanning a real object with a series of cameras. The cameras move around the object to be modeled, viewing it from every angle and sending all that information to a computer. The computer then translates the information into a 3D model.
Once the models have been completed, the next step is animation. Models are placed within a scene, and then the models are mapped onto previously determined movements. Movements can be created by using either key frames or motion capture. Using key frames, the artist chooses the most important frames, building each one by placing the models in the appropriate position. Once all the key frames have been built, a computer program fills in the gaps, creating other frames that show the movements of each model.
Motion capture is entirely different. Motion capture allows filmmakers to determine every movement beforehand, rather than relying on a computer. This process involves outfitting an actor with dozens of tiny sensors. These sensors track every movement made by the actor. Artists then take that movement information and map the model on top of it. Then the computerized model will follow every movement the real-life actor made.
Finally, after the models have built and the animations completed, it's time to render the animation. Rendering is a process to create a photorealistic look to computer-generated imagery. An artist determines the light transport, or the light sources and saturation over each model surface, and enters that information into a rendering program. The program will then go frame by frame, adding the proper light at the proper levels to the scene.
Once the scene has been modeled, animated, and rendered, the 3D image is converted to a 2D image so it can be projected on theater screens.
One of the most successful 3D animation studios is Pixar Animation, who are responsible for much of the high quality 3D content we've seen so far. Since Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story, in 1995, the company has been leading the way in 3D animation. The animators have even created new software and rendering techniques to further the format. Thanks to their 10 feature films, Pixar has earned 24 Academy Awards and more than $5.5 billion in worldwide ticket and DVD sales. This success has led to the company's expansion into television and soon even live-action films.
With filmmakers like Pixar making such great strides in 3D animation, it may soon come to pass that we will no longer be able to tell the difference between flesh-and-blood actors and computer-generated models.
3D Animation - Quick Links
Here's a great blog post on the Top 20 Animated Movies.
Notice how many 3D titles there are.
Your3DSource.com - Delivers An overview of basic, intermediate, and advanced 3D computer animation programs.
The Wikipedia article on Computer Graphics gives an excellent overview of 3D animation techniques, including the main elements of modelling, rendering, and animation.
If you want to learn about Flash 3D animation, and how to create animated images, one of the high quality ways to start is by investigating the use of Flash CS4 Professional.
Buzzle.com carries a full directory of companies that market CAD 3D animation software. Buzzle also carry an interesting series of 3D animation articles.
Here's a great blog post on the Top 20 Animated Movies.
Notice how many 3D titles there are.
Your3DSource.com - Delivers An overview of basic, intermediate, and advanced 3D computer animation programs.
The Wikipedia article on Computer Graphics gives an excellent overview of 3D animation techniques, including the main elements of modelling, rendering, and animation.
If you want to learn about Flash 3D animation, and how to create animated images, one of the high quality ways to start is by investigating the use of Flash CS4 Professional.
Buzzle.com carries a full directory of companies that market CAD 3D animation software. Buzzle also carry an interesting series of 3D animation articles.
Where is 3D TV Development Right Now?
Read our unique perspective on the 3D TV landscape as of early 2011....
Growth prospects, plans, and developments for the coming year...
Read our unique perspective on the 3D TV landscape as of early 2011....
Growth prospects, plans, and developments for the coming year...
Confused about what 3D TV means to you?
Go straight to Amazon's comprehensive 3D guide for a range of educational videos and buyer reviews of 3D products including 3D TVs, Blu Rays, Monitors, and Movies....or visit the 3DTVGuide.org 3D TV sites page for more useful info.
Go straight to Amazon's comprehensive 3D guide for a range of educational videos and buyer reviews of 3D products including 3D TVs, Blu Rays, Monitors, and Movies....or visit the 3DTVGuide.org 3D TV sites page for more useful info.
The Cost Effective, Simple Way To Get 3D TV
Read about 3D TV Starter Kit bundles. Get the TV, glasses, movies, and connectors all in one go.
Read about 3D TV Starter Kit bundles. Get the TV, glasses, movies, and connectors all in one go.
The why, what, how, where, and when of buying a 3D TV.
The top 'need to know' facts you'll want to consider when looking to buy a 3D TV.
Where can I get more info on 3D TVs, Blu Rays, glasses etc
One of the best ways to get good information on any subject is by participating in forum discussions. Here you'll find a good choice of 3D TV forum threads chosen for their interesting discussion value.
One of the best ways to get good information on any subject is by participating in forum discussions. Here you'll find a good choice of 3D TV forum threads chosen for their interesting discussion value.
Learn how 3D TV works
Easy to follow guide to the 3D TV technology used to deliver 3D imaging. Answering the question 'how does 3D TV work?'
Is watching 3D bad for your health?
Examining the latest published 3D TV health warnings - is watching 3D images bad for your health?
Discover the parts that make up the 3D experience.
Revealing what you need to watch 3D TV - an introduction to the TV sets, Blu Ray players, and glasses.
What does the future hold?What's the next step for 3D imaging in our homes?
Let's take a look at the possible future of 3D entertainment - holographic TV developments.
Easy to follow guide to the 3D TV technology used to deliver 3D imaging. Answering the question 'how does 3D TV work?'
Is watching 3D bad for your health?
Examining the latest published 3D TV health warnings - is watching 3D images bad for your health?
Discover the parts that make up the 3D experience.
Revealing what you need to watch 3D TV - an introduction to the TV sets, Blu Ray players, and glasses.
What does the future hold?What's the next step for 3D imaging in our homes?
Let's take a look at the possible future of 3D entertainment - holographic TV developments.
3D TV Manufacturers - The latest developments and models from the leading TV manufacturers - Toshiba Samsung Mitsubishi
Panasonic Sony LG Vizio
Phillips Sharp
3D TV Models - Revealing the latest new 3D models to hit the stores.
3D TV Networks - Get the lowdown on the 3D content providers, and find out who has plans for dedicated 3D channels - Cablevision, Cox, Time Warner, Comcast, DirecTV, Verizon, Sky
3D TV Converters - Guide to 2D to 3D converters.
3D Blu Ray Players - Read about the latest breakthrough developments in DVD players - an essential piece of the 3D TV puzzle.
3D Glasses - Understand why 3D glasses are required to see good quality images in 3D.
3D Movies - Examining the meteoric rise in popularity of the new 3D films to hit the cinemas.
Panasonic Sony LG Vizio
Phillips Sharp
3D TV Models - Revealing the latest new 3D models to hit the stores.
3D TV Networks - Get the lowdown on the 3D content providers, and find out who has plans for dedicated 3D channels - Cablevision, Cox, Time Warner, Comcast, DirecTV, Verizon, Sky
3D TV Converters - Guide to 2D to 3D converters.
3D Blu Ray Players - Read about the latest breakthrough developments in DVD players - an essential piece of the 3D TV puzzle.
3D Glasses - Understand why 3D glasses are required to see good quality images in 3D.
3D Movies - Examining the meteoric rise in popularity of the new 3D films to hit the cinemas.
You can get High-definition 3D video-on-demand including the latest blockbuster movies with DISH Network. DISH Network also offers the cutting edge 3D compatible ViP922 HD DVR to bring you DISH 3D entertainment. Find out more at InternetLion.com.