Digital animation, also known as Computer-Generated Imagery, (CGI) is a form of animation created with computers. Pen and paper are now not needed.

The production process

Unlike traditional animation, 3D animation are not drawn, but built. Elements are constructed based on three axes: the horizontal, vertical and depth axes. These are the three dimensions where the concept of  '3 d'refers to. 

NMTrix specializes in character animation. When building characters, first a skeleton or frame construction are built and the rest (muscle, skin) will be built around it. In this clip, featuring our studio ambassador Art, you can see the process demonstrated.

Since the beginning of the 20th century animated movies were created by showing a series of drawings containing only minor changes in quick speed. This created the illusion of motion. Cartoons were actually animated. Well known examples are movies such as Tarzan and Bambi  as well as television series about characters. Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse were iconic examples . 

Since the introduction of the computer there has been different ways to animate, but it took up until  the seventies before anything could be produced to a presentable standard. The first application that reached a wide audience consisted of special effects for the movie 'Future World' in 1976. It was not until the nineties before computers were fast enough and affordable to have a wider applicability to the techniques.

In 1995, the first feature film created entirely in 3D was 'Toy Story'. The animated feature produced by Disney and Pixar was a huge hit worldwide and brought in over $ 360 million. Since then,  3d-animation has really taken shape. Since the progression of technology, there is now so much more possibility in terms of animation techniques. Nowadays 3D animation (with glasses) is shown constantly in cinemas. The likes of Toy Story, Shrek and Up have become some of the most popular films within the last 20 years. The major animation studios that have monopolised the industry are Pixar and Dreamworks. 

In the Netherlands, there has been no major 3D animated films as yet. The main reason is due to the fact the production costs are too high. The chance of recoupment within the Dutch market is not beneficial. Any large productions would normally target the more well known larger companies on the international market. 

In 2009, NMTrix created an animated short called, 'The Dark'. This was shown at the Holland Animation Film Festival. It also courted rave reviews when it was shown in selected cinemas and turned over 70,000 views online.

Animation techniques are becoming increasingly used in all forms of films with real actors.The former mentioned Future World film used 3D animation for examples of a face and a hand. Nowadays almost no major movie is made without animated elements. Many special effects are no longer created with stunts and pyrotechnics, but with the computer. For most people there is no longer a distinction between what is filmed and what is animated. In the following  clips from the film Terminator 4 the actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is not really there, but we see him,  his role is played by an animated character. In many other films the animated parts are much more subtle. 

The film hit Avatar was a milestone mixing acting and animation. By using new Stereoscopic 3D film cameras, this film is seen as 'the' breakthrough film for stereoscopic 3D (with glasses) and has set a new standard.

Within television, the proportion of 3D animation, especially in the youth programs is steadily increasing. In Holland the Sprookjesboom, (Ferry Tree) is a popular 3D animation series. NMTrix has also contributed to the creative and technical process along with other major Dutch animation studios. 

A fast growing sector that is widely using animation is the gaming industry. This industry is now bigger than the Hollywood film industry. NMTrix has recently produced a game for recruitment of the Royal Netherlands Army and for the election campaign of the Socialist Party.

Not only in animated series and feature films is vast amounts of animation work shown, but also in the design of television channels and programs. Bumpers and leaders often lean on 3-D animation. NMTrix has produced these among others for RTL 4 and TROS. 

TV commercials is a common medium and you will find more and more animation work. An example in the clip below that NMTrix produced for the government campaign 'Sustainable Action'. 

Animations are also used for product and business presentations in the real estate and medical sectors.

An interactive 3D animation can be influenced by the viewer. We often use this form because interactivity provides extra involvement in an expression. 

An appealing application is the interactive 3D tour of a construction project. This allows costumers to view existing and future built houses from the inside and outside. One can see  photo-realistically how a new development project or building is constructed.And there are plenty of other business applications to consider, such as at Exchanges where interactivity can give to virtually any presentation an extra cachet. 

There can also be interactive instructional programs produced for technical equipment, for example in highly innovative sectors such as the energy and medical industries this is prevalent.