Glossary

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2D animation

Animation that is originally created in two dimensions. Usually this means drawn animation, but cut-out animation, vector animation and motion graphics (like kinetic typography) are also forms of 2D animation.

2.5D animation

Any animation where 2D and 3D elements are combined. For example, adding drawn backgrounds behind 3D characters, drawing motion lines onto 3D characters, or using 3D lighting techniques on 2D art.

3D animation

Animation that is originally created in 3D. Usually this means computer-generated animation, but stop-motion artists who work with puppets are often said to be "the original 3D animators."

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Animatic

A sequence of storyboards, edited together to show in sequence. They are used to convey a concept of a scene or to give the character animators an idea of what to work with, and they range from very simple (storyboards without any sound) to very elaborate (detailed storyboards with foley and scratch dialogue).

B

Boarding

See Storyboarding

C

Cel(luloid)

A thin sheet of celluloid that 2D animation is traditionally painted on.

Cel shading

A type of 3D animation render, made to look like paintings on cels.

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R

Rendering

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Storyboarding

The act of drawing what a scene will look like, in comic-like fashion. These drawings are often very rough, as they are only used to convey an idea (like a type of staging or a sequence of actions). When storyboards are put in sequence, it is known as an animatic.

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Toon shading

See Cel shading.

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