CGI
Fake film visuals
CGI stands for computer-generated imagery—visual content created digitally rather than photographed or drawn by hand.
The term dominates film and television discussion: The CGI in that movie looked fake, They replaced the practical effects with CGI.
CGI can also mean Common Gateway Interface, an older web technology for running server-side scripts.
Artificial cinematic illusions
- green screenSolid backdrop for compositing
- chroma keyColor-removal compositing technique
- motion captureRecording movement for animation
- compositingCombining visual elements digitally
rotoscoping · particle effects · digital doubles · de-aging · matte painting · keying · tracking · practical effects
Simulated light propagation method
- shaderGPU rendering microprogram
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
- transparencyState of being see-through
- refractionWave bending between media
reflection · antialiasing · depth of field · motion blur · volumetric · caustics · Arnold
Interlocking open weave
- polygonsClosed plane figures
- verticesCorner points of shapes
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
- sculptingShaping material into forms
rigging · NURBS · extrusion · beveling · subdivision · wireframe · normals · topology
Enormously successful entertainment property
- post-productionAfter-the-shoot work phase
- color gradingAltering image tones digitally
- film editingAssembling recorded footage
- visual storytellingConveying meaning through images
Pixar · DreamWorks · Avatar · Jurassic Park · Toy Story · Transformers · Marvel · dinosaurs
Resembling the real thing
- verisimilitudeAppearance of being factual
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
- believabilityCapacity to seem true
- uncanny valleyEerie near-realism response
special effects
Artificial cinematic illusions
- green screenSolid backdrop for compositing
- chroma keyColor-removal compositing technique
- motion captureRecording movement for animation
compositing · rotoscoping · particle effects · digital doubles · de-aging · matte painting · keying · tracking · practical effects · pipeline
raytracing
Simulated light propagation method
- shaderGPU rendering microprogram
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
- transparencyState of being see-through
refraction · reflection · antialiasing · depth of field · motion blur · volumetric · caustics · Arnold
mesh
Interlocking open weave
sculpting · rigging · NURBS · extrusion · beveling · subdivision · wireframe · normals · topology · skinning
blockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
- post-productionAfter-the-shoot work phase
- color gradingAltering image tones digitally
- film editingAssembling recorded footage
visual storytelling · Pixar · DreamWorks · Avatar · Jurassic Park · Toy Story · Transformers · Marvel · dinosaurs · creatures
lifelike
Resembling the real thing
- verisimilitudeAppearance of being factual
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
- believabilityCapacity to seem true
uncanny valley · hyperreal · seamless integration · fluid dynamics
- HollywoodHollywood, Tinseltown, Hollywood Sign, silver screen, movie stars
- Film AcronymsVFX, SFX, IMAX, MCU, DCU
- Film Effectsspecial effects, practical effects, digital effects, optical effects, matte painting
- film techniquesdolly zoom, closeup, close-up, fade, wide shot
- SFXVFX, visual effects, compositing, green screen, blue screen
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
Non-digital film techniques
practical · animatronics · puppetry · stop-motion · miniatures
CGIlive-action
Filmed with real performers
documentary footage · location shooting · raw footage · photographic · natural
CGIlive action
Real filmed performance
documentary footage · location shooting · analog · tangible · physical
- CGI technologyComputer-generated visual effects
- CGI artComputer-generated imagery
computer, compute, computed, computing, computable, computation, computational, computationally, graphic