Evolution of Animation from Movie: From Hand-Drawn to CGI

Evolution of Animation from Hand‑Drawn to CGI

Early foundations (pre‑1930s)

• Optical toys & stop‑motion: zoetrope, flipbooks, and early stop‑motion experiments created the first illusion of motion.
• Rotoscoping (1915+): tracing live‑action frames for realism (Max Fleischer).
• Hand‑drawn cell animation: studios (notably Disney) refined frame‑by‑frame drawn cells and multiplane camera to create depth (e.g., Snow White, 1937).

Golden Age and technical polish (1930s–1960s)

• Feature storytelling, timing, squash-and‑stretch, and character animation principles matured.
• Multiplane camera, Technicolor, and improved inking/painting boosted visual richness.

Hybrid experiments and digital tools (1970s–1980s)

• Early digital techniques and VFX appeared in live‑action films (Westworld 1973, Tron 1982).
• Rotoscoping, optical compositing, and computer‑assisted ink/pain