Computer animation
Animation has been around since the early 1900s, when simple line drawings were transformed into fluid motion from one image to the other. Technology has since intervened to provide a faster and more accurate means of animating objects and characters on a screen. Animation was once used for entertainment purposes only, but its value has broadened to benefit science, education, the legal system and video games as well. Other People Are Reading: Types of Computer Animation The Average Salary for Computer Animation

History
Computer animation has come a long way since its introduction to the film industry in the early 1970s. It was first used in 1973's "Westworld," a movie about robots that lived and worked among humans. Three years later, wireframe imagery was introduced in the sequel, "Futureworld," adding a three-dimensional quality to objects on the screen. Star Wars used wireframe to great effect in its space battle scenes with the Death Star.

How It Is Done
A computer-generated model is created in three dimensions that take on material characteristics like shading, color and texture. Lighting is added to the virtual space that authenticates the scene as CGI (computer generated imagery) objects are moved from one position to another. The positions are called "key frames" the computer uses to render into a moving image at 30 frames per second. This creates a segment of video that can be edited and transferred to other video files, or simply used as is.

Forensic Animation
The forensic process depends on accuracy. When reconstructing an accident or crime, all objects must conform to a set of facts determined by a forensic expert. Beginning with the accident investigation that includes police reports, accident scene data, witness statements, vehicle inspections, photographs, and medical reports, the forensics reconstructionist will re-create the accident using computer animation. The animated recording can then be played before a judge and jury if necessary.

Courtroom Re-enactment
Computer animation can be an instructional tool that effectively presents a visual display of the evidence. Used to reproduce an actual event or to provide a demonstration of testimony, it can be easily presented at trial as a video shown to the court. People are naturally visual learners, so a video presentation of information may be more effective than verbal litigation alone.

Motion Capture Animation
A new modeling performance capture created by Image Metrics can re-create the minute details of a facial expression. People have a natural asymmetry to their movements so this method effectively renders the less perfect yet more realistic actions of blinking eyes and twitching muscles. The result is computer animated movement that is sometimes difficult to tell apart from the real thing. Video game developers are using this new technology to design their games because it provides them with more creative control as well as greater efficiency and increased production speed.