Computer-generated imagery: Difference between revisions
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==''Energon'' and ''Cybertron''== | ==''Energon'' and ''Cybertron''== | ||
[[Image:CobyLoriWedding.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Well, a firetruck is bigger. Much, much bigger."]] | [[Image:CobyLoriWedding.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Well, a firetruck is bigger. Much, much bigger."]] | ||
The last two-thirds of the [[Unicron Trilogy]], ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'', both used shaded CGI for the Transformer characters, and traditional cel animation for almost everything else (humans, backgrounds, etc.). Some episodes (e.g., "[[City]]") used CGI for doing complex environments, particularly when the camera needed to be able to move through the | The last two-thirds of the [[Unicron Trilogy]], ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'', both used shaded CGI for the Transformer characters, and traditional cel animation for almost everything else (humans, backgrounds, etc.). Some episodes (e.g., "[[City]]") used CGI for doing complex environments, particularly when the camera needed to be able to move through the environment quickly. | ||
In comparison to the Beast Era, the character animation in ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' is generally unimpressive. For an extensive discussion of its flaws, see ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon, Production flaws]]''. | In comparison to the Beast Era, the character animation in ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' is generally unimpressive. For an extensive discussion of its flaws, see ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon, Production flaws]]''. | ||
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On the positive side, the character models are [[Toy-accuracy|toy-accurate]] to a fault, reproducing the design and transformations of the toys in detail. | On the positive side, the character models are [[Toy-accuracy|toy-accurate]] to a fault, reproducing the design and transformations of the toys in detail. | ||
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==''Transformers'' (2007)== | ==''Transformers'' (2007)== | ||
[[Image:Movie Scorponok leapsout.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"Oh, crap! He's got 5,000 pieces of geometry, and over 1,000,000 polygons! Run!"]] | [[Image:Movie Scorponok leapsout.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"Oh, crap! He's got 5,000 pieces of geometry, and over 1,000,000 polygons! Run!"]] | ||
Revision as of 12:20, 21 July 2010
Computer-generated imagery (CGI) in Transformers media has gone through five phases thus far.
Generation 2
The Generation 2 "cartoon" was simply the Generation 1 cartoon with a new CGI opening, and new scene-transitions featuring the nefarious Cybernet Space Cube. These segments added nothing but glitz (and annoyance) to the cartoon, and are mostly forgotten.
CGI was used more extensively in Generation 2's commercials. Entire segments were computer animated for early commercials advertising the toys and the comic. Initially the CGI was quite primitive. Later, more advanced techniques were used to allow computer-animated characters to interact with live-action actors.
The Beast Era
Both Beast Wars and Beast Machines were fully CGI, created by Mainframe Entertainment of Canada. Beast Wars was a bit primitive, even in its day. (It is notorious for lacking shadows except when vital.) Its animation quality improved steadily over time, most obviously in comparisons of the landscape between first and third seasons. Beast Machines was a further step forward, and holds up reasonably well even by modern standards. Both are praised for their good use of facial expressions and body language.
Robots in Disguise cartoon
The Global Space Bridge was generally animated in CGI, except when it isn't.
The Car Robots opening was done partially in CGI; Optimus Prime and Megatron battling and the transformations of X-Brawn, Side Burn, and Prowl were all computer generated. In addition, a brief shot of the Autobots driving through the Global Space Bridge, and Team Bullet Train driving around on some tracks, were done the same way. In keeping with the show's slightly obsessive toy accuracy, these CGI models look almost identical to the toys, which unfortunately makes the battle itself look a bit dodgy.
The English version of the opening was almost entirely cel-animated, using a mixture of the traditionally animated parts of the Japanese opening and clips from various episodes. However, it did retain a short computer generated shot of the Global Space Bridge.
In addition, the American version used CGI for its scene transitions. Shiny 3D models of the Autobot, Predacon, and Decepticon insignia retreated a short distance and flipped to reveal which faction the next scene would focus on.
Energon and Cybertron
The last two-thirds of the Unicron Trilogy, Energon and Cybertron, both used shaded CGI for the Transformer characters, and traditional cel animation for almost everything else (humans, backgrounds, etc.). Some episodes (e.g., "City") used CGI for doing complex environments, particularly when the camera needed to be able to move through the environment quickly.
In comparison to the Beast Era, the character animation in Energon and Cybertron is generally unimpressive. For an extensive discussion of its flaws, see Energon, Production flaws.
On the positive side, the character models are toy-accurate to a fault, reproducing the design and transformations of the toys in detail.
Transformers (2007)
The live-action film series, obviously, uses CGI extensively, most spectacularly for almost all appearances of the Transformer characters in robot mode.
Fiction
Marvel Comics Generation 1 continuity
The video-game Multi-World uses advanced computer-generated imagery to project life like simulations for players. Robotic lifeforms that have their minds uploaded into the game can participate in the action like it was real. Afterdeath!
The simulated world of Hyper-Fax is entirely the creation of computer-generated imagery. Pretender to the Throne!
Trivia
- If one includes the Generation 2 cartoon, then of the nine Transformers TV shows that have aired in the U.S., more than half have used CGI, and nearly half have used it extensively.
- A Toys R Us Big Book ad airing in late 2009 briefly featured CGI versions of the movie Optimus Prime and Bumblebee not animated by ILM [1]. The CGI models appear to be based on the 2009 Leader Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class Bumblebee toys and utilize the same transformations as the toys without any apparent morphing (essentially computer rendered versions of the toys and their transformations).
