Hybrid Animation - How Art and Technology Combine to Create Breathtaking Animation Sequences

To the undiscerning eye, there is not a lot that distinguishes 2D animation pictures from 3D animation pictures. However, when it comes to the development of these animations, there are significant differences.

2D animation involves the traditional process of ‘cell shading’, where each cell is developed individually and then made part of a linear sequence. It can be created by simply using a pencil and paper. The rendering happens in two dimensions, not three. Modern digital technologies such as ‘onion skinning’ also go into the development of 2D animation, making it less time-consuming.

3D animation, on the other hand, is rendered in three dimensions and gives you a more closely controlled visual environment to work in. In digital 3D animation on the post-processing elements. It makes use of ‘stop motion animation’ where clay figures give a simulation of the movement in 3D.

What is Hybrid Animation?

Hybrid animation is the concept of integrating both 2D and 3D animation in a single sequence or framework. While 2D animation is relatively simpler, easier to control, time-saving and cost-effective, it is somewhat less engaging when compared to 3D animation. However, 3D animation, though more engrossing and detailed, requires a lot of effort, time and resources.

Hybrid animation brings about the best of these two animation techniques in an economical manner. By rightly blending these two methods, one can create stunning imagery and motion by offering a unique perspective and vivid detailing.

Modern Animation Tools and Techniques

There are many wonderful tools and techniques that can be used to create breathtaking animation. Animation artists use unique methodologies such as:

• Different combinations of 2D and 3D animation

Artists can combine 3D characters with 2D backgrounds, or 2D characters and motion with 3D props. Each style brings out a different perspective of motion around the frame.

• Modern software

There are various kinds of software that let you combine 2D and 3D animation, such as Animate Prop and Toon Boom. Along with these, artists also work on applications such as Photoshop, Flash, and Corel.

Computer-generated 3D models can be designed on software such as Maya, 3DS Max, Blender and Houdini, and these models can be combined with pen-and-paper animation.

• Cell shading and motion tracking

These are techniques that create hybrid animation based on cell coloring and computer-controlled movement tracking, similar to rotoscoping.

Movies That Used Hybrid Animation

Hybrid animation has been around for quite some time. Here are examples of movies – a mix of famous and underrated ones - that used hybrid animation.

• The Black Cauldron

The 1985 Walt Disney feature animation movie, The Black Cauldron, was one of the first movies to combine 3D elements with 2D animation. In fact, it’s the first animated movie to have ever used CG!

Directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich, it featured the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, and John Hurt voicing the evil Horned King. It was the first Disney animated film to use computer-generated imagery in its animation for bubbles, a boat, a floating orb of light, and the cauldron itself. The glowing bauble was a 3D model used in a 2D frame.

We won’t blame you for not having watched this movie, but take a look at the trailer to witness an early example of hybrid animation at work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W3Lk82FFW0

• The Iron Giant

This Warner Bros. feature animation film was released in 1999 and is one of those science fiction movies that’s humorous, terrifying, and touching, all at once. The characters for The Iron Giant were developed using 3D animation and combined with the background, which was designed using 2D techniques. Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles and Ratatouille), it stars the voices of Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Christopher McDonald, and John Mahoney. This film is considered one of the greatest examples of animated feature films in the industry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obLtyj8hfFk

• Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

This Oscar-nominated film for best animation used a method opposite to what was done in The Iron Giant.

The backgrounds were rendered using 3D animation while character development was done via traditional hand-drawn 2D style. Created in 2002 under DreamWorks Feature Animation and featuring the voice of Matt Damon, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. 

Listen to DreamWorks CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Senior Supervising Animator, James Baxter explain what went into combining 2D and 3D animation for this movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox-YunZ_04s 

The layers of art, creativity and smart technology behind hybrid animation sequences are a display of the hard work and passion animators put into each scene.

At Toolbox Studio, we love combining the art of storytelling and breathtaking animation technology. With over 10 years of experience in offering top-notch animation services and multi-specialty in-house 2D/3D artists and technicians, we have collaborated with top brands and animation production studios around the world.

If you are thinking hybrid animation, get in touch with us and learn how we can partner with you.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit:_Stallion_of_the_Cimarron