Creating motion graphics is often the synergy of many different applications and skill sets. Besides a good sense of design, an artist involved in modern motion graphics needs to have knowledge of four major areas: bitmap graphics, vector graphics, 3d graphics and compositing software. Bitmap graphics, also termed pixel-based, is probably the most common form and the most familiar to the lay persons. In bitmap , the images are composed of different colored dots (known as pixels) that together form an image. Bitmap images typically photographs or real world images. Resolution of the image is dependant on how many pixels compose the image. The more pixels in an image, the higher the resolution. As a result, the file size increases. Although there are several applications on the market that one can use to create and treat bitmap images, by far the most popular is Photoshop.
The other form vector, also known as resolution independent. Vector graphics lines, curves and shapes that the computer interprets through mathematical equations. Vector-based images are usually illustrations, logo designs or other comparatively simplistic compositions with potential complexities. Whereas bitmap are composed of pixels and can become distorted if scaled too large, vector has unlimited resolution. Because the information used is all mathematics, the image can be the size of a building without losing resolution. Several vector packages exist, the most common being Adobe Illustrator.
With the leaps in computing power in recent years, 3d graphics have become a more accessible and practical tool. The world of 3d is immense and composes many different disciplines from architectural rendering to major motion picture special effects; however, these applications solves design problems that only they can solve. Both bitmap and vector are inherently flat, but you can use a 3d software package to take these flat graphics into the third dimension. Many programs, such as Maya, Lightwave or 3d Studio Max, are up to the task, Maxon's Cinema 4d's use of layers and hierarchies will be familiar to users of Adobe's programs. This program is simply more intuitive than its bigger and more complex rivals, making it a superior package for the motion graphics artist.
The other form vector, also known as resolution independent. Vector graphics lines, curves and shapes that the computer interprets through mathematical equations. Vector-based images are usually illustrations, logo designs or other comparatively simplistic compositions with potential complexities. Whereas bitmap are composed of pixels and can become distorted if scaled too large, vector has unlimited resolution. Because the information used is all mathematics, the image can be the size of a building without losing resolution. Several vector packages exist, the most common being Adobe Illustrator.
With the leaps in computing power in recent years, 3d graphics have become a more accessible and practical tool. The world of 3d is immense and composes many different disciplines from architectural rendering to major motion picture special effects; however, these applications solves design problems that only they can solve. Both bitmap and vector are inherently flat, but you can use a 3d software package to take these flat graphics into the third dimension. Many programs, such as Maya, Lightwave or 3d Studio Max, are up to the task, Maxon's Cinema 4d's use of layers and hierarchies will be familiar to users of Adobe's programs. This program is simply more intuitive than its bigger and more complex rivals, making it a superior package for the motion graphics artist.