CG
Digital visual effects
CG stands for computer graphics—images created or manipulated using computers.
The term covers everything from static digital art to animated sequences in films and video games: The CG in that movie looked incredibly realistic.
CG can also abbreviate computer-generated, functioning as an adjective: CG effects, CG characters.
Simulating or demonstrating form
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- texturingAdding surface variation
- meshInterlocking open weave
- verticesCorner points of shapes
polygons · shaders · lighting · sculpting · rigging · normals · Maya · Blender
Simulated light propagation method
- rasterizationConverting to pixel grid
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
- reflectivityLight-bouncing capacity
- refractionWave bending between media
transparency · photorealism · real-time · antialiasing · shadows · caustics · GPU · frame
Digitally created film imagery
- compositingCombining visual elements digitally
- motion-captureBody movement recording technology
- rotoscopingTracing filmed motion frame-by-frame
- simulationImitation of real processes
destruction · explosions · ILM · Pixar · DreamWorks · creature · integration · plate
Digital movie imagery
- animationTechnique creating movement illusion
- PixarDigital animation studio
- DreamWorksShrek's production company
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
Avatar · Marvel · dinosaurs · de-aging · motion-capture · postproduction · Gollum · Thanos
modeling
Simulating or demonstrating form
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- texturingAdding surface variation
- meshInterlocking open weave
vertices · polygons · shaders · lighting · sculpting · rigging · normals · Maya · Blender · Houdini
raytracing
Simulated light propagation method
- rasterizationConverting to pixel grid
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
- reflectivityLight-bouncing capacity
refraction · transparency · photorealism · real-time · antialiasing · shadows · caustics · GPU · frame · compositing
visual-effects
Digitally created film imagery
- compositingCombining visual elements digitally
- motion-captureBody movement recording technology
- rotoscopingTracing filmed motion frame-by-frame
simulation · destruction · explosions · ILM · Pixar · DreamWorks · creature · integration · plate · tracking
CGI
Digital movie imagery
- animationTechnique creating movement illusion
- PixarDigital animation studio
- DreamWorksShrek's production company
blockbuster · Avatar · Marvel · dinosaurs · de-aging · motion-capture · postproduction · Gollum · Thanos · photorealistic
- naval termsadmiral, navy, battleship, carrier, submarine
- naval shipsaircraft carrier, gunboat, patrol boat, minesweeper, attack sub
Non-digital film techniques
practical · animatronics · puppetry · miniatures · prosthetics
Real filmed performance
real · documentary footage · unaltered · raw footage · live-action