What is 3-d computer animation?
A 3-D computer animation is fundamentally a dynamic illustration created on a computer. Like traditional cel-animation, a computer animation consists of a series of individual still images. Unlike cel-animation, these images are created on a computer and stored one at a time in the computer. When they are viewed at the normal playback speed of 30 frames per second, the result is a moving picture, or animation. The graphic images can then be recorded onto videotape or laser disc to create video animations. The three-dimensional aspect of animation allows movement to be illustrated as a function of time and space. While a still image captures a moment in time from a particular view, a 3-D animation allows the viewer to move around the scene and change perspective over time. It is important to remember that the computer is only a tool used to improve the generation and the accuracy of the animation. It does not replace the human element. An animator, experienced in the principles of movem