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This is a glossary containing definitions and information on words and phrases as they pertain to the topic of computer generated special effects. We have included here words used in our site which we think might pose some trouble for an average person with little knowledge of computer graphics. You can click on a letter to send the page down to that section, or scroll down to the word.
If there is a phrase or word included in our pages that is not listed here, please send us an E-Mail and we will try to answer your question, and if it's reasonable, post it here for the use of others who may have the same problem.
| A | Alias/Wavefront - software from Silicon Graphics used for building 3D models | |
| Animate - to animate an object is to tell the computer how make it move and where. In the same style as if one were animating a picture, the animator will have the computer display frames in sequence to make the model appear to move. | ||
| Animator - the artist in charge of working out how a model will move, and also in using the software to make it move. |
| D | DID - Acronym, standing for Dinosaur Input Device, a utility created by Industrial Light and Magic for inputing information used in animation by means of manipulating a model. | |
| Discreet Logic - a Montreal based company specializing in non-linear digital image and audio processing systems. |
| E | Envelope - A program written by Industrial Light and Magic for use in Jurassic Park. Envelope allows animators to simulate muscle movement by letting them control points located beneath the surface of an object. |
| F | Flame - A software program from Discreet Logic, used for many varying types of post production graphics in film. |
| G | Greenscreen - The same as a bluescreen, only the background is green. |
| I | ILM - Acronym, standing for Industrial Light and Magic, a special effects company famous for its work in the the field of computer graphics in movies. |
| L | Laser-Scan - To allow a laser to run along a model, capturing topographical information on the computer for later use in constructing an 3D model. |
| P | Patch-Mesh - a term used to describe the network of points that make up a single piece of a computer model. |
| R | Render - To render an object is to take a wireframe of the object, and then apply textures, lighting, etc. | |
| RenderMan - software created and used by Pixar and others in the creation of digital effects requiring rendering and computer animation. | ||
| Rod-Removal - The technique of digitally taking out the rods used to hold up a set, manipulate a puppet, etc. |
| S | Silicon Graphics (SGI) - Silicon Graphics Inc. is a computer company which specializes in high-end hardware and image manipulation software. SGI machines are widely considered to be THE thing to have when doing graphics work of any kind. | |
| Sock - a program designed by Industrial Light and Magic. This program allows the user to join a network of points, a patch-mesh, that make up a piece of a model, then connect all the pieces together to create the illusion of a soild object. Used specifically for animation on Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park. | ||
| SoftImage - A rendering utility from Microsoft. | ||
| Storyboards - A series of cartoon-like sketches illustrating key visual stages (shots, scenes) of a planned production, accompanied by the corresponding audio information. | ||
| Synching - Synchronizing, the process of matching up two things so that they appear to be moving the same relative to each other. |
| T | Test-Shot - A demo produced by a special effects company to demonstrate for a studio the level of special effects they can achieve. Usually the shot is used to determine which company the studio wants to hire to work on a film. | |
| Texture - an image applied to a wireframe model during rendering to give the model the appearnce of having a textured surface. | ||
| Trailer - term used to describe the portion of the movie shown as a preview to entice prospective audiences to go and see the movie. Commonly found in commericals and before other movies. | ||
| Tweak - a term used to describe small changes in the surroundings of a frame. If certain elements don't line up quite right, or a background doesn't blend with the foreground action, an animator will alter the picture slightly to make the scene appear more realistic. |
| W | Wavefront - See Alias/Wavefront. | |
| Wire-Removal - The process of removing the wires used to suspend an object so that the object appears to be hovering, floating, flying, etc. |
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