Below are terms commonly used in the art and science of creating 3D visualization and animation.

2D graphics
Computer graphics that do not use any 3D techniques, thus involving no explicit depth information.

3D graphics
Computer graphics that involve the creation of three-dimensional digital models.

3D animation
Moving digital imagery that is created on a frame-by-frame basis.

animated
Images with characteristics that change over time.

animatic
A rudimentary animation that serves as an animated storyboard.

animator
An individual who creates and produces animations.

bluescreen
A generic term referring to bluescreen photography in which a completely uniform blue field provides a background.

bluescreen photography
The process of photographing an object in front of a bluescreen in order to extract a matte for using keying and color techniques.

CGI (computer-generated imagery)
An image or images created or manipulated digitally. Typically used to reference 3D computer animation, but can apply to 2D as well.

compositing
The art of combining and layering at least two source images to produce an integrated result, typically a more complex animated image. Especially valuable when the resulting image(s) must appear seamlessly integrated, so that the viewer is unaware that the scene is composed.

compositor
An individual who creates composites.

depth of field
The range of acceptable focus in front of and behind the primary focus setting. It is a function not only of the specific lens used but also of the distance from the lens to the primary focal plane and of the chosen aperture. Larger apertures will narrow the depth of field; smaller apertures will increase it.

digital keying and chroma keying
digital chroma keying can key uniquely from any of the 16 million colors of component digital video, making it possible to key from relatively subdued colors, rather than relying on highly saturated ones.

dynamic range
The range of brightness values in a scene or an image, from brightest to darkest. In a digital image, the total number of different colors in the image.

effects animation
Typically referring to non-character elements created via digital rotoscoping techniques, such as sparks, lightning or smoke.

field of view
The range of a scene captured by a specific camera. Typically measured as the number of horizontal degrees, although a vertical field of view is also valid.

final
A composite shot that has been completed and approved.

greenscreen
See bluescreen.

keying
The process of selectively overlaying an area of one picture (or clip) onto another. Layers are then further processed to create a more seamless result.

lighting reference
A proxy object that can be used to judge the lighting in a scene.

mental ray
Specialized rendering software created by mental images.

motion blur
An artifact caused by the fact that a camera's shutter is open for a finite duration as it captures an image. Any object that was in motion when the shutter was open will appear blurred along the path that it was traveling.

multimedia
The presentation of materials in more than one medium simultaneously. Typically refers to an interactive environment.

particle system
A 3D computer graphics technique used to create a large volume of objects that obey well-defined behavioral rules. Typically used to control a multitude of discrete objects, but also used for creating natural phenomena such as fire or smoke.

perspective
A term relating to the size and depth relationships of the objects in a scene.

photogrammetry
The art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and their environment by recording, measuring and interpreting 2D photographic images, then using the data to construct reliable and accurate 3D models.

pixel
An abbreviation for picture cell or picture element, referring to one sample of picture information. A digital image is composed of a rectangular array of individual colored points. Each one of these points is referred to as a pixel.

pixelweave
1) The art of weaving or creating a more complex and uniquely appealing composite from individual image elements. 2) A firm specializing in pixelweaving, otherwise referred to as advanced 3D visualization and animation.

playback speed
The rate (usually measured in frames per second) at which a sequence of images is displayed.

Post-production
Any work initiated after principle photography has been completed.

pre-production
Any planning, testing or initial design that occurs before actual production begins.

scene
(1) The image captured by a camera. (2) A collection of shots that share a common setting or theme.

shot
An unbroken continuous image sequence.

storyboard
A sequence of drawings that shows the intended action in a scene. Used as a visualization tool before the scene is shot.

tracking
The process of selecting a particular region of an image and determining that region's movement over time.

tracking (image)
The process of following a defined point, or points, in a series of pictures in a clip.

transition effect
A method for moving from one scene to the next.

visual effects
A broad term referring to imagery created using various digital post-production processes, beyond the limits of standard photographic techniques. A subcategory of special effects.

Contact Pixelweave if you have any questions regarding these 3D Definitions or terms elsewhere on the PIXELWEAVE site.