Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the process of creating still or moving visual content using computer software. The content can be used in various media, including printed and digital, as well as in artworks, video games, and films.
CGI involves a wide range of techniques and styles, from 2D vector graphics to intricate 3D models and simulations. The goal is to create believable and realistic visuals that tell a story or showcase a product, among many other purposes.
You have probably seen CGI in action many times. In the movie “The Irishman,” CGI was used to realistically de-age Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. Aside from advanced CGI, the creators used a three-camera rig and infrared technology to create 3D models of the younger versions of the actors’ faces.
Read More about Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI)
The term “CGI” has been tossed around in movie trailers and video game streams. But what exactly is this CGI everyone’s talking about? Let’s break down the CGI meaning below.
History of CGI
CGI can be traced back to the early days of computer graphics in the 1960s, but it only focused on geometric shapes back then. The term was coined by Verne Hudson and William Fetter, computer graphics experts at Boeing. More sophisticated techniques emerged in the 1970s, and by the 1980s, CGI began making its mark in the film industry, with movies like “Tron” (1982).
However, it was in the 1990s that significant advancements in rendering and software led to groundbreaking visual effects. We saw very advanced CGI in “Jurassic Park” (1993) and “Toy Story” (1995), the first fully computer-animated feature film. Here’s a snippet of CGI in action in an eight-minute “Jurassic Park” scene.
Today, CGI is already integrated into live-action footage. After all, it’s easier to create a CGI version of Dubai than to fly an entire crew there (along with their equipment).
In gaming, CGI has also been used since 1980, particularly in Battlezone. Modern video games extensively use CGI to create fantasy worlds and add more realistic features to characters.
How Does CGI Work?
Understanding its inner workings provides a deeper insight into the CGI meaning. The process typically involves several stages, including modeling, texturing, animation and rigging, lighting, and rendering. We’ll give a quick overview of each step below.
3D Modeling
The first stage is when 3D objects are digitally sculpted, which is very much like creating a sculpture in the real world, but using specialized software. Artists define the shape, size, and surface details of the object they are creating (e.g., characters, environments, or props).
3D modeling is an extensive process that can be performed using various techniques and software. The image below shows the initial output of 3D modeling.
Texturing
Once a model is created, textures are applied to give it surface detail and color. Think of it as adding material properties to a 3D object, including skin and clothes. These textures can range from simple colors to complex patterns. They can also simulate surface imperfections.
Animation and Rigging
For characters or objects that need to move, a digital skeleton (or rig) is created to allow animators to manipulate models in a controlled and realistic way. After that, the magic happens through animation, and the objects are brought to life. Animators then work on the rigged models frame by frame. They may also use motion capture data to create movement.
Visual Effects and Lighting
Just like in real-world photography or filmmaking, lighting and visual effects affect the look and feel of a CGI scene. Artists strategically place virtual light sources to create moods, highlight details, and add depth.
Rendering
This is the final stage where all the elements (i.e., models, textures, animation, and lighting) are processed by a computer to generate the final 2D image or sequence of images for the video. Rendering can be computationally intensive, especially for complex scenes with high levels of detail.
What Tools Are Used in CGI?
There are many specialized tools used in creating CGI. The table below shows some of the industry-standard CGI software.
| Process | Tools |
| 3D modeling and sculpting | Blender (free and open-source), Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Cinema 4D |
| Texturing | Adobe Substance 3D Painter, Mari |
| Animation and rigging | Autodesk Maya, Blender, MotionBuilder |
| Visual effects and lighting | Adobe After Effects, Nuke, Houdini |
| Rendering | Arnold (by Autodesk), V-Ray, Redshift |
What Are the Use Cases and Examples of CGI?
So far, we’ve only talked about CGI in films and video games. But the technology has more applications in many other areas, including:
- Advertising and marketing: CGI is used to create eye-catching product visualizations, animated commercials, and virtual experiences that aim to grab consumer attention. The video below is an example of a CGI animation for a strawberry milkshake ad.
- Architecture and design: Architects and designers use CGI to create realistic 3D renderings of buildings and spaces before they are even built, allowing clients to visualize the final product.
- Medical and scientific visualization: CGI can be used to create detailed and realistic visual representations of the human body and molecular structures for diagnosis, research, education, and even surgery. Here is a video showing an example of how CGI can be used in surgery.
- Training and simulation: Industries like aviation and the military use CGI to create realistic training simulations that allow personnel to practice complex procedures in a safe and controlled environment. Here’s a video showing how pilots train using simulators.
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The next time you see a mind-blowing visual effect or get lost in an online game world, remember the CGI meaning and that it is the result of a complex and creative process that blends art and technology.
Key Takeaways
- CGI meaning : CGI is the process of creating visuals, both still and moving, using computer software. It’s the digital art and technology behind special effects and video games.
- CGI has evolved from creating basic geometric shapes in the 1960s to becoming a staple in films, making “Jurassic Park” and “Toy Story” stand out.
- Creating CGI involves a series of steps—modeling (digital sculpting), texturing (adding surface detail), rigging (creating a digital skeleton), animation (bringing the model to life), lighting, and rendering (generating the final image).
- Animators rely on a combination of powerful software that make each of the steps above possible.
- CGI is used in various fields, including films, video games, advertising, architectural visualization, medical imaging, education, and flight simulators.
Sources
- https://www.safespace.qa/en/topic/impact-computer-generated-imagery-children
- https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/computer-generated-imagery/34084298
- https://brightlightsfilm.com/vicious-circle-john-whitney-and-the-military-origins-of-early-cgi/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/most-groundbreaking-cgi-movies-ever-created-2020-1
- https://www.rroij.com/open-access/history-and-development-of-computer-graphics.php?aid=92289#
