Animations glossary terms
Table of Contents
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2D
An abbreviation for ‘2 Dimensional’ and also referred to as ‘Traditional Animation’, when an animation is created using a series of drawings in a two dimensional, flat, environment.
3D
An abbreviation for ‘3 Dimensional’ and also referred to as ‘Computer Animation’, when an animation is created in a computer using software that allows for objects to be animated in a 3D environment where the camera can be moved around the environment in the X, Y, and/or Z-Axis.
A
ANIMATIC
An animated storyboard; a series of still images edited together and displayed in sequence. Often, a rough dialogue/soundtrack is added to it to test whether the sound and images work together.
ANIMATION
The technique of photographing successive drawings or positions of models to create a simulation of movement or the perception of motion. Thus, displaying a sequence of rapid still images.
ARCS
Animation technique used to plan and simulate realistic motion paths.
ARMATURE
A framework around which a sculpture (physical or digital) is built, allowing movements of the figure to be animated such as arms and legs.
B
BOILING LINE
The inevitable wobble of hand-drawn lines, particularly noticeable when is shown as characters are redrawn in every frame even though they are standing still.
BREAKDOWNS
Animation frames used to plan significant movement in a sequence.
C
CLAYMATION
Animation using figures made from clay or similar material.
CEL
Short for celluloid, the material from which the first transparent sheets, used for animating on several levels, were made. Now used as a term interchangeable with 2D animation.
CGI
Computer-generated images. Can be 2D, often drawn using a graphic tablet or 3D, using specialist software to create a virtual world.
COMPOSITING
The technique of constructing an image from multiple digital sources.
COPY STAND (ROSTRUM CAMERA)
An adjustable camera mounting device is used for photographing a still image from above.
CUT OUT ANIMATION
Cut paper shapes moved around with stop motion technique under a glass plate.
D
DOUBLE FRAME
Technique for photographing every other frame to create 12 frames per second. This is sometimes called ‘on Twos’.
DUBBING
Adding sound, sometimes translated dialogue into another language for animations to be sold to another territory.
F
FORMAT (VIDEO)
A system for storing digital video data on a computer system. Video is almost always stored using lossy compression to reduce the file size. A video file normally consists of a container containing video data in a video coding format alongside audio data in an audio coding format.
FRAME
The basic unit of filmmaking, an image that lasts for 1/24th of a second.
FRAME RATE
The speed at which frames progress in an animation. Measures usually as frames per second (fps). The typical frame rate is 24 frames per second. A typical second of animation will consist of 12 unique drawings.
G
GRAPHICS TABLET
A computer input that allows images and graphics to be hand-drawn, similar to drawing conventionally with pencil on paper.
I
INBETWEENING
A process in cell animation, usually referred to as pope to pose, in which an animator or assistant illustrates the frames and action between key poses in an animated sequence.
IP (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY)
Having the rights to a film or character or story, so that a proportion of any sales go to the rights holder.
K
KEYFRAME
A-frame in a timeline at which a change will occur.
KEY POSE
A main action or drawing that is set on a keyframe.
KEY POSITIONS
Usually, the start and end pose in an animated scene from which an animator will plan or break down other key poses before the in-between frames are completed.
L
LAYOUT STAGE
The stage in 2D animation in which key positions and poses are laid out in advance of the frame by frame animation.
LIGHTBOX
A box with a sheet of acetate or glass with a small light shining underneath. A sheet of paper is placed over peg bars attached to the lightbox and a drawing is made.
LOCKED OFF
Refers to either a static camera or the point at which the pre-production for animation is completed and the animating can start.
LONG-FORM ANIMATION
Animation is not just a ‘one off’ text, but a series, which in some cases may go on for hundreds of episodes.
M
MAYA
A 3D modelling and animating program used in the industry.
MORPHING
Changing from one shape or form to another.
MOTION PATH
A process in computer-based animation in which a pathway is plotted between two or more keyframes in order to direct motion.
MULTIPLANE ANIMATION
A series of glass plates stacked vertically beneath the camera to add to the depth of movement. The technique was first developed by Lotte Reiniger in the 1920s and developed later at Disney.
O
ONION SKINNING
When an animator is able to see relief or impression of the previous frame either through the animation paper or on a computer.
P
PEG-BAR
Drawn animation requires each image to be aligned with others to prevent slippage. When drawing, filming, scanning, each sheet is hole punched and the holes fit over a peg bar fitted to the lightbox and plate.
PERSISTENCE OF VISION
This refers to the way our eyes retain images for a split second longer than they actually appear, making a series of quick flashes appear as one continuous picture.
PIXILLATION
Shooting live action using a limited number of frames.
PLUS
Adding something creative to the original script- could be done by an actor, an animator, a composer or various other people. To ‘plus’ something is to improve it in some way by your contribution.
R
RENDER
A process in computer graphics in which a programmed effect is assembled into its final formation. A motion effect, animation or transition may be viewable before rendering but not in its intended quality.
ROTOSCOPE
An animation technique in which live-action images are traced either manually or automatically.
RIG
A usually hidden system is used to support and manipulate an animation model, be it digital or physical.
S
SCENE
A sequence of continuous action is usually demarcated by location.
SCRIPT
The written direction for the animation.
SHOT
A sequence photographed continuously by one camera.
STOP MOTION (STOP FRAME)
The technique in which an object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence.
STORYBOARD
An illustrated planning document in which each camera position and the associated action for a given sequence is visually represented.
STORYBOARD ARTIST
A person who, working closely with the director, will plan and design the storyboard.
T
THUMBNAIL
A smaller and less detailed reference or placeholder is used for planning shots and sequences.
TIMELINE
An editable liner representation of a moving image sequence used in digital editing and animation software.
TREATMENT
An outline of an idea giving key narrative and conceptual detail.
TWINNING
When a character or object that is symmetrical moves with both sides in sync and in unison. This ‘mirrored’ appearance typically appears unnatural and incorrect.
V
VOICE TRACK
The recording of the actors in order to guide animators.
VOLUME
Usually refers to the mass of a character or object being animated. It is important to maintain a consistent mass to ensure continuity.
W
WALK CYCLE
A repeatable sequence of frames is needed for an animated character to walk.
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