What is digital animation? It is essentially animation that can be produced on a computer. This can vary from the crude paper style drawings of South Park to the 3D computer generated imagery of films such as Toy Story and Shrek.

In many ways this is an extension of classic stop motion animation. Each image is created in the computer using a program. Some artists use what is known as a tablet in order to draw images that are used in the animation. It is argued this is a more natural feeling method than creating an image using a mouse, though there are people that use both options.

How digital animation works often depends on what you are trying to achieve. With a 3D character it often begins with a virtual skeleton that the animator then builds around. With 2D figures it is about using separate object and transparent layers. This may or may not involve the use of a virtual skeleton.

In order to create the illusion of movement, it usually requires around 12 frames per minute. A frame is a single picture and the contrast when viewing the pictures makes it seem smooth. Conventional hand drawn animation is usually around 15 frames although this more due to the constraints of having to physically draw the pictures.

A new development in recent years has been motion capture. This was used to memorable effect in the Lord of the Rings films to create the CGI character Gollum. The actor Andy Serkis wore a suit with coloured dots on it around his limbs and the animators creating the virtual skeleton and rendered the character from his movements.

When looking at digital animation a lot of people make the mistake of thinking it makes the process easier. While some aspects may become simpler it often throws up new and interesting challenges, such as how to effectively animate blades of grass blowing in the wind or realistic looking fur. It also needs to be remembered that it is a medium for telling a story and the most successful animations remain the ones with the best stories and characters.