Timeline of computer animation in film and television
Pioneering uses of computer-generated imagery in film and television:
1970s
| Pic | Film | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Notes | ||
| No pic | Westworld | 1973 |
| First use of 2D computer digitized images as part of a feature film (infrared point of view of Gunslinger robot in Westworld). | ||
| No pic | Futureworld | 1976 |
| First use of 3D computer graphics for animated hand and face. Used 2D digital compositing to materialize characters over a background. | ||
| Star Wars | 1977 | |
| First use of 3D vector graphics for the trench run briefing sequence. | ||
| Superman | 1978 | |
| First CGI film titles. | ||
 |
Alien | 1979 |
| Used raster wireframe rendering for navigation monitors in the landing sequence. | ||
| No pic | The Black Hole | 1979 |
| Disney uses CGI for the opening titles. | ||
1980s
| Pic | Film | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Notes | ||
| No pic | Looker | 1981 |
| First CGI human character, Cindy. First use of shaded 3D CGI as we think of it today. | ||
| Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan | 1982 | |
| ILM computer graphics division develops "Genesis effect". | ||
| Tron | 1982 | |
| Extensive use of 3D CGI including the famous Light Cycle sequence. | ||
| 2010: The Year We Make Contact | 1984 | |
| CGI was used to create thousands of monoliths for the end sequence. | ||
| The Last Starfighter | 1984 | |
| Uses CGI for all spaceship shots, replacing traditional models. First use of 'integrated CGI' where the effects are supposed to represent real world objects. | ||
| The Adventures of Andre and Wally B | 1984 | |
| Lucasfilm's computer animation division creates an all-CGI animated short. The first CGI animation with motion blur effects. | ||
| No pic | Lensman (SF Shinseiki Lensman) | 1984 |
| First anime to use CGI. | ||
| Young Sherlock Holmes | 1985 | |
| Lucasfilm creates the first photorealistic CGI character, 'stained glass knight'. | ||
| No pic | The Great Mouse Detective | 1986 |
| First major use of computer animation in an animated film, the depiction of Big Ben's gears. | ||
| Luxo Jr | 1986 | |
| Pixar's first fully 3D animated short film. First use of shadows in CGI. First CGI film to be nominated for an Academy award. | ||
 |
Max Headroom | 1987 |
| Computer-mediated live action figure. | ||
| Willow | 1988 | |
| Uses morphing in a feature film. | ||
 |
The Abyss | 1989 |
| First 3D digital water effect. | ||
| Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | 1989 | |
| First all-digital composite. | ||
1990s
| Pic | Film | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Notes | ||
| Total Recall | 1990 | |
| Use of motion capture for CGI characters. (More information is needed.) | ||
| No pic | Die Hard 2: Die Harder | 1990 |
| First digitally-manipulated matte painting. | ||
| Terminator 2 | 1991 | |
| First realistic human movements on a CG character. | ||
| Lawnmower Man | 1992 | |
| No pic | Death Becomes Her | 1992 |
| First human skin CG software. | ||
| No pic | VeggieTales | 1993 |
| First completely computer animated video. Also, the first with talking vegetables. First bible-related CGI. | ||
| Jurassic Park | 1993 | |
| First photorealistic CG characters. | ||
| Babylon 5 | 1993 | |
| First television series to use CGI as the primary method for its visual effects. First TV use of virtual sets. | ||
| No pic | The Flintstones | 1994 |
| First digital fur. | ||
| ReBoot | 1994 | |
| First computer animated television series. | ||
| No pic | Waterworld | 1995 |
| First realistic CG water. | ||
| No pic | Casper | 1995 |
| First CGI lead character (preceded Toy Story by six months). First CGI characters to interact realistically with live actors. | ||
| Toy Story | 1995 | |
| First CGI feature-length animation. | ||
2000s
| Pic | Film | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Notes | ||
| Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within | 2001 | |
| First realistic feature-length CGI movie. | ||
| Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | 2001 | |
| First CGI feature length movie made using off-the-shelf hardware and software. | ||
 |
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (movie) | 2002 |
| First use of AI for digital actors (using the Massive software developed by Weta Workshop). | ||
| The Matrix Reloaded | 2003 | |
| The Burly Brawl - the first use of Universal Capture, 3D recording of actor's performance, its editing and rendering. | ||
| The Matrix Revolutions | 2003 | |
| Superpunch - the first realistic close-up of detailed facial deformation on a synthetic human. | ||
| Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow | 2004 | |
| First movie with all-CGI backgrounds and live actors. | ||
| The Polar Express | 2004 | |
| First CGI movie that used performance capture for all actors. | ||
External links
- CG production companies and CGI in the movies - detailed historical information