2D & 3D Animation

The traditional Animation method that has existed since the late 1800’s is 2D animation. It is one drawing followed by another in a slightly different pose, followed by another in a slightly different pose, on and on for 24 frames a second.

Nowadays, most 2D animation involves using computer software to one degree or another, from just digitally coloring the cells to be photographed in the traditional method, to doing every single element in the computer.

In 2D animation, a Character is drawn by hand, on computer, or by both of them. Even with today’s technology, most traditional 2D animation starts with drawings. The artist creates a whole series of images, one after another, making slight changes in the character’s position. The effect of movement is created when these images are run together in a fast way.

Years before, animators were doing all their work by hand, and were preparing each image, or cell. When all the cells were finished, they were edited into a film that ran at a speed of twenty-four frames, or individual cells, per second, which was the standard for motion pictures.

In 3D animation, the process still begins with the character creation. However the animator uses a computer in order to rig the character, which means he creates a skeletal structure character on the computer for the character so as to be able to control its movements, including every curve of eye-blink and finger, like a virtual puppet. Animating in 3D requires much more work with mathematics, such as graphs and curves, than traditional drawing. And it’s all done on computer.

The whole body of the character is always there (arms, legs, back, etc.), even when you don’t see it. And, unlike their 2D counterparts, 3D characters should be in constant movement. Why? Think of the world around you. Something is always moving, even if only twitching an eye or blowing in a gentle breeze. To achieve an effective sense of 3D animation, you have to capture everything.

In the final 3D images, characters exist in three-dimensional space. They have height, weight, and depth. They can be manipulated and rotated 360 degrees, and you can see more of them. Animators can play with lighting and shadow effects, just as you could in the ‘real world.’

3D animation is about animating objects which appear in a three dimensional space, which can be rotated and moved like real objects. 3D animation is involved in games and virtual reality. It allows you to do things that are impossible in 2D animation.

3D objects, once modeled, can be treated almost as a physical object. You can light it in a different way, you can move a camera to look at it from above, or below. In 2D animation everything is drawn. “Moving the camera” in 2D means drawing everything from another angle. “Moving the camera” in 3D is simply dragging it to another position to see if you like it better.

3D allows you to create realistic objects. You can use textures and lighting to create objects that appear solid, and can even be integrated seamlessly into live video elements. There are pros and cons about both methods. Which method of animation is best, is based on the needs of the client, but like all animation, it allows you to do things that would be otherwise not plausible.

Live-Action Script

Animation requires more description so as to communicate the visual effectively. So, a live action script contains less detailed scene description than an animation script does. This increase in description results a creation of another difference between live and animation writing.  In live action the general rule is one page per minute.  Moreover,this holds true in most animated feature writing.  But a page of a TV animation script generally translates to about 40 seconds of screen time.  In live action the director interprets the written word, and thus expands on it.  But in animation, the writing is generally more literally interpreted, and although better storyboard artists usually add a bit or a gag here and there, most boarders just translate the written word to visual images.

Animation & Website’s Traffic

Following are a few ways animated videos can boost the traffic of your website effectively:

1. Most viewers when they visit a site, are searching for some information or data, so the best choice is to provide more updated information and web content. In that case, the chances of a website being visited by a user are enhanced. One of the most lucrative forms of media that can be used is video.
2. The effect of animated videos is stronger in conveying messages and information to the users. Whether, it is demonstrative video, description of information, sales message or any other animation form, it has more value and impact than any written document.
3. It is proved by studies and researches that people connect more strongly psychologically with videos and animations than they do with written content. It has an important impact on the visitors who stay for a longer time and have more instincts of repeat visits.
4. Animated video can become viral and popular more soon than any other media form.
5. Video keeps viewers engaged in the content with an emotional appeal. They are useful in triggering several kinds of feelings and emotions in the audience.
6. In very less time you can convey a much larger message.

With the introduction of auto play in Facebook, the significance of animated videos in social media marketing has increased even more. Hence we realize that animation is one of the best ways to boost the traffic on your website. If used in the right way it can attract numerous potential clients from several online platforms to the respective websites.

Designer: Zhanar Zhengisbay

Writer: Lefteris Daniilidis

The post The differences between 2D, 3D and live action animation and their impact on a website’s traffic appeared first on Craftoon Video Marketing Blog.