What is the difference between Animation & VFX?

What is the difference between Animation & VFX? pixelloid.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-animation-vfx Pixelloid Studios

July 17, 2019

Animation and Visual effects (VFX) are seen mostly in films especially Hollywood superhero pictures. Of course, the world of motion media is not limited to only international films. Now, it has spread its wings towards domestic films too. The two terms- Animation and VFX -may seem similar but they have some key differences. Most common perception is that animation is a part of VFX. Nothing can be far from truth than this perception. Despite their differences both are categorized under the fine arts section of the Media and Entertainment industry. Before getting to know the difference between Animation and VFX, read on to know what are animation and Visual effects with some examples.

Animation: Animation is the technique of applying illusions on the painting/ sketches/ drawings of puppets or human being pictures so that they can move and act as we see in the cartoon series. Or it is also defined as “animation is motion graphics that are applied to the pictures or sketches in order to create characters and motion�.

It uses the existing frame or footage and applies animated or imaginary using computer software to make it a real scene. It can be done by sketching by hand or through a computer or the combination of sketching and computer-generated images.

It takes more time to produce an image but the existing cells or frames can be re-used in this technique to save time.

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Like most art forms, animation too grew from a rudimentary stage. The evolution catapulted with the onset of computer software such as Autodesk Maya.

Example: 1) Cartoon pictures have been childhood favourite time pass and entertainment for most.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: the current famous Netflix series for children and relished cartoon pic. All the roles in the episodes are human puppets. If we take the lead role She-Ra – a warrior girl. When we look at her, it was a drawing, not a real girl. That means we draw one puppet or image and make it move and act through illusions.

We give life to that role through animation technique.

2) The titles, modelling, texturing, rigging are other examples of Animation.

Besides, Animation has moved on from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) through ever-growing technological advancements. The core differences between 2D and 3D are software used, frame rate, and the cost of technology. Obviously, 2D animation is relatively economical than 3D. In 2D animation, you just draw images with different postures . If in the image, he/ she has folded his/her hand back side, the artist need not draw the total hand, instead he can draw just the outline.

However, in the case of a 3D image, the third “D” – that is, DEPTH- too gets hilighted which lends life-like experience. That means with 3D we can explore all dimensions of an image.

The example of 2D animated films are Aladdin, The Princess and The Frog; whereas the 3D animated films are Kung Fu Panda, The secret life of pets and Zootopia etc.

Visual Effects: VFX is applied to real things, human beings, and scenes/ frames/ footage. VFX is the combination of real things and special effects that are implemented to life to the real on the reel.

We see in Baahubali film that it was a combination of VFX and real things. Sky replacement, creating effects, etc. everything is manipulated to make it live scene. It is also implemented on the action scenes in many films.

Coming to Baahubali, in some scenes, the Hero jumps up to the mountains which can’t be done in real. Here, the special effects are implemented to the real human being.

Now, you can get the idea of the difference between

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Now, you can get the idea of the difference between Animation and VFX. For more simplification, here we have provided you the table which depicts the major divergences in the two terms.

Animation

VFX

Defination

animation is motion graphics that are applied to the pictures or sketches in order to create characters and motion

VFX is applied to real things, human beings, and scenes/ frames/ footage. It is the combination of real things and special effects that are implemented to life to the real on the reel.

Software

Autodesk Maya and 3Ds Max

Autodesk Maya, 3Ds Max, Foundry’s Nuke, Blackmagic fusion, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe after effects

Applied On

On pictures or drawings of puppets.

Real things/scenes/ people

Applications

Animated websites, advertising campaigns, CDs, Pogo TV cartoon series

All Films and Documentaries

Examples

Galli Galli Sim Sim (cartoon series)

Baahubali, Spiderman, Avatar

Job Roles

Animator, 3D Modeler, Flash Animator, Art Director, Graphic Designer, etc.

VFX Artist, Lightning Artist, Layout Artist, Roto Artist, Compositor, Matter Painter, etc.

It turned the things upside down of how images and scenes are portrayed on screen; which intrigued many youngsters to choose it as a career.You can also check the career oriented 3d animation and vfx course available at Pixelloid studios.

Regardless of the advantages and disadvantages of animation and vfx people prefer to blend both the techniques for breath-taking visuals. Let us know in the comments section below which one do you prefer and why:

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