Difference Between Animation and VFX
Confused between animation and VFX? Read this article to understand these two fields of visual art. Explore the differences between animation and VFX, along with the best courses to learn them.
Animation Vs VFX: Key Differences
Skills like VFX and animation are in high demand due to the global surge in content production for informational, educational, and communication purposes. Individuals with highly creative minds can easily excel in these fields. However, before mastering one or both of these skills, it's essential to understand the differences between them. To assist you, this article outlines the key differences between animation and VFX and provides a list of the best VFX and animation courses available in India, helping you gain proficiency in these areas.
Understanding Animation and VFX
Animation and VFX have become integral parts of the filmmaking process, making film scenes visually appealing. These two fields significantly contribute to visual content creation, but they are poles apart in terms of creation and applicability. The correct use of these two techniques is essential for high-quality content or media production.
To understand the difference between Animation and VFX, you first need to understand these two techniques individually. The details are provided below:
Animation
Animation is the process of creating the illusion of motion by manipulating still images or objects and creating the illusion of motion using various techniques. These techniques include frame-by-frame animation, 2D and 3D animation, and stop-motion animation.
See the image provided below to understand as an example of animation from the famous animated series "Batman."
Example of Animation: Batman
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Visual Effects or VFX
Visual Effects, also known as VFX, is a technique used in cinematography to add images and objects to film scenes that cannot be captured with a camera. These can include giant creatures, mystical cities, characters like angels, gods, and ghosts, massive structures, and impossible-to-film action sequences, as well as computer-generated imagery. However, the application of VFX is not limited to these examples. Once the VFX elements are created, VFX artists seamlessly integrate them with the live-action footage.
The example from the famous Indian movie "Bahubali" demonstrates how VFX was used to add a waterfall to the solid backgrounds behind the actors Tamannaah and Prabhas, creating the illusion of flowing water (see the image below).
VFX Example from Bahubali
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Differences Between Animation and VFX
We can compare VFX and animation based on the creation process, the tools used, and the applicability of these techniques. The differences between the two are described as follows:
Creation Process
In the animation process, animators create entire scenes, from drawing characters frame by frame to designing backgrounds and other characters and objects with which these characters interact. This process includes creating and animating the protagonist, supporting characters, the environments they inhabit and visit, as well as the objects they use.
On the other hand, VFX enhances the work of animators by adding special effects. VFX artists take the scenes created by animators and add elements such as particles, wind, fire, water, and other effects to make the animation more realistic.
Therefore, animation is the process of creating visual storytelling, while VFX serves as the enhancement process, adding realism and depth to the created animation.
Tools Used
For animation creation, tools like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom, Blender, and Maya are commonly used for creating animations. There are also a plenty of high-quality software tools are used for 3D animation. These tools allow animators to design and animate characters, environments, and other elements from scratch.
For VFX, tools such as Adobe After Effects, Nuke, Houdini, and Autodesk 3ds Max are used to integrate CGI with live-action footage, create realistic effects, and manipulate images to achieve the desired visual outcomes.
Application
Animation is primarily used in fully animated films, cartoons, video games or game design, and any medium where the entire content is generated through animation techniques.
VFX is widely used in live-action films, television shows, and commercials to enhance or alter reality, often by adding elements that are difficult or impossible to capture on camera.
Skills Required
Animators need to master every aspect of animation production, including drawing objects and characters frame by frame, using animation software, and understanding colour theory. They also need knowledge of architecture and anatomy to draw objects and characters more precisely.
On the other hand, VFX artists work with animation created by animators, so they do not need to create characters and objects from scratch. Instead, they need to be proficient in using compositing software, match-moving techniques, motion capture technology, computer-generated imagery (CGI), and special effects.
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Eligibility Criteria for Animation and VFX Courses
If you have read this far, you must be considering learning animation, VFX, or both. You can review the eligibility criteria for admission to animation and VFX courses below:
Undergraduate Courses
To apply for a BSc, BA, or BFA course in animation and VFX, you can choose from the following two methods:
1. Merit-Based Admission
- In this process, candidates should have completed their Class 10+2 in any stream from a recognized central or state board.
- Candidates will be selected based on their marks in the qualifying exam. The higher your marks, the better your chances of gaining admission to the course you applied for.
- The minimum qualifying marks to apply for the course will be between 45% and 55%, depending on the college you apply to.
2. Entrance Exams
Many top animation and VFX institutes accept scores from the following entrance exams for admission to undergraduate animation and VFX courses:
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Postgraduate Course
For admission to animation and VFX postgraduate courses, the two methods are merit-based admission and entrance exams.
1. Merit-Based Admission
To be admitted to an MA or MSc in animation and VFX, you need a bachelor's degree in animation, VFX, or a related field.
The minimum qualifying marks in the final graduation exam for postgraduate animation and VFX courses will be between 50% and 60%.
2. Entrance Exams
The entrance exams conducted for postgraduate animation and VFX courses include:
- NID Entrance Exam
- CEED
- JMI Entrance Exam
- Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Entrance Exam
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) Entrance Exam
Diploma and Certificate Courses
There are no specific eligibility requirements for admission to diploma or certificate courses in animation and VFX. Anyone can apply for these courses. However, some institutions may have a minimum age limit of 14-15 years.
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Top Institutes for Animation and VFX in India
The top institutes for learning animation and VFX according to the Shiksha ratings and students' reviews are listed below:
Note: The aforementioned institutes are among the best for animation and VFX courses. However, not all of them necessarily offer integrated animation and VFX courses; they may offer animation and VFX courses separately.
Top Animation and VFX Courses
Considering the Shiksha ratings for the quality of education, experience of faculty, college infrastructure, course fee (low to high) and placement scope,and students' reviews, we have prepared a list of the best animation and VFX courses in India. Refer to the list provided below:
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VFX and Animation Jobs
VFX (Visual Effects) and animation jobs are diverse, spanning various industries like film, television, video games, advertising, and even architecture. Here is an overview of some common roles and what they entail:
1. VFX Artist
Responsibilities: Creating realistic and imaginative visual effects, such as explosions, smoke, fire, and other dynamic effects, often blending CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) with live-action footage
Skills: Proficiency in software like Adobe After Effects, Houdini, and Nuke; strong understanding of physics and how objects interact; artistic eye for detail.
Industries: Film, TV, video games, advertising.
2. 3D Animator
Responsibilities: Crafting characters, environments, and objects in three-dimensional space, bringing them to life through movement and emotion.
Skills: Expertise in Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max; understanding of character rigging and animation principles; creativity and storytelling ability.
Industries: Film, TV, video games, virtual reality, advertising.
3. Compositor
Responsibilities: Integrating various visual elements like live-action, CGI, matte paintings, and effects into a single cohesive image.
Skills: Mastery of compositing software like Nuke or After Effects; strong eye for color and composition; problem-solving skills.
Industries: Film, TV, advertising.
4. Motion Graphics Designer
Responsibilities: Creating animated graphic designs for video content, often used in title sequences, commercials, and explainer videos.
Skills: Proficient in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Photoshop; design sensibility; ability to communicate complex ideas visually.
Industries: Advertising, television, web content, corporate presentations.
5. Character Designer
Responsibilities: Designing characters for animation or video games, focusing on their appearance, personality, and potential movements.
Skills: Strong drawing and design skills; understanding of anatomy and character dynamics; proficiency in software like ZBrush or Photoshop.
Industries: Animation studios, video game companies, advertising.
6. Lighting Artist
Responsibilities: Crafting lighting setups that enhance the mood, focus, and realism of a scene, working closely with other departments to ensure consistency.
Skills: Expertise in lighting software like Arnold, Renderman, or V-Ray; understanding of color theory and photographic principles.
Industries: Film, TV, video games, architecture visualization.
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