Timeline History of Computer Animation

First use of Motion Capture.

Nov 7, 1887

Pioneer photographer Eadweard Muybridge publishes a book of photos of humans in motion “Animal Locomotion”. Marking the first use of Motion Capture, or Freeze Frame. Freeze Frame Eadweard Muybridge’s Photography of Motion. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://americanhistory.si.edu/muybridge/

Max Fleischer patenteds rotoscope

Oct 9, 1917

Max Fleischer patenteds rotoscope after he used it in a series of cartoon shorts “Out of the Inkwell”. Levine, O. (2011). A brief history of rotoscoping. Retrieved from http://languages.oberlin.edu/courses/2011/spring/cine270/olevine/2011/04/10/a-brief-history-of-rotoscoping/

Digital Scanning is developed using SEAC (the Standards Eastern Automatic Computer)

Apr 1, 1957

Digital Scanning is developed using SEAC (the Standards Eastern Automatic Computer). The image was a 5 x 5 cm image of a baby. Jones-Bey, H. A. (2007). Digital image scanning turns 50 years old. Laser Focus World, 43(7), 46. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete

William Fetter coins the term “Computer Graphics”.

Jun 1, 1960

William Fetter coins the term “Computer Graphics”, while trying to describe the type of work he was doing for Boeing. Shkylar, D. (2004). Part 1: Humble beginnings. Retrieved from http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/3d_rendering_history_part_1._humble_beginnings

John Whitney Sr, who is credited as one of the fathers of computer animation, created a series of extraordinary films of abstract animation that used computers to create a harmony of motion.

Period: Nov 7, 1960 to Nov 7, 1969

John Whitney Sr, who is credited as one of the fathers of computer animation, created a series of extraordinary films of abstract animation that used computers to create a harmony of motion. Alves, B. (2005). Digital Harmony of Sound and Light. Computer Music Journal, 29(4), 45-54. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete

First time human-computer communication through drawings

Jan 1, 1963

First time human-computer communication through line drawings with the hardware Sketchpad created by Ivan Sutherland. Nappi, M. (2013). “Drawing w/Digits_Painting w/Pixels: Selected Artworks of the Gesture over 50 years. Leonardo, 46(2), 163-169. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete Shkylar, D. (2004). Part 1: Humble beginnings. Retrieved from CG Society

First computer graphics film “Simulation of a Two-Gyro Gravity-Gradient Attitude Control System” released by Bell Laboratories.

Nov 7, 1963

First computer graphics film “Simulation of a Two-Gyro Gravity-Gradient Attitude Control System” released by Bell Laboratories. AT&T Archives. (2012) Simulation of a Two-Gyro Gravity-Gradient Attitude Control System. Retrieved from http://techchannel.att.com/play-video.cfm/2012/7/18/AT&T-Archives-First-Computer-Generated-Graphics-Film

Apollo missions

Period: Jan 1, 1967 to Dec 31, 1972

NASA's Apollo missions had a great impact on computer animation. Gaudin, S. (2009). NASA’s Apollo technology has changed history. Retrieved from http://www.computerworld.com/article/2525898/app-development/nasa-s-apollo-technology-has-changed-history.html

First computer animation film for entertainment “The Flexipede” created by Tony Pritchett.

Nov 7, 1967

First computer animation film for entertainment “The Flexipede” created by Tony Pritchett. Lecture: Digital Movies and Animation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~cema/courses/CSE5910/lectureFiles/lecture10b.htm

Evans & Sutherland is founded.

Feb 27, 1968

Evans & Sutherland (computer graphics company) is founded by Ivan Sutherland and David Evans. Company focused on games and simulators. Also worked on a head mounted display. Willoughby, M. (2006). Graphics Pioneer Goes Back to the Future. Computerworld[serial online]. February 27, 2006;40(9):36. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete Moltenbrey, K. (2011). Reality Check. Computer Graphics World, 34(5), 55. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete

Three conference shows attracted a large number of artist to the field of computer generated art.

Jun 7, 1968

Three conference shows attracted a large number of artist to the field of computer generated art. The name of these shows were “Software”, “Some More Beginnings” Spalter, M. (2011, February 4) Visual Intelligence: The First Decade of Computer Art (1965-1975) [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://spalterdigitalartcollection.blogspot.com/2011/02/visual-intelligence-first-decade-of.html

Alan Kitching developed animation software called Antics.

Jan 1, 1973

Alan Kitching developed animation software called Antics. Kitching, A. (1973, December). Computer Animation-Some New ANTICS. British Kinematography Sound and Television, 372-386

First time digital animation is used in a feature film.

Nov 21, 1973

First time digital animation is used in a feature film. Two minutes of the film Westworld used digital animation. Price, D. (2013). How Michael Crichton’s “Westworld” Pioneered Modern Special Effects. The New Yorker. Retrieved from http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/how-michael-crichtons-westworld-pioneered-modern-special-effects

First SIGGRAPH Conference is opened.

Aug 7, 1974

First SIGGRAPH Conference is opened. Prince, P. (1989). A Brief History of SIGGRAPH Art Exhibitions: Brave New Worlds. The MIT Press. Vol 2. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1557935?uid=3739600&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21104934698747

Dr. Alexander Schure assemblies CGL (Computer Graphics Laboratory) at NYIT.

Nov 7, 1974

Dr. Alexander Schure assemblies CGL (Computer Graphics Laboratory) at NYIT. CGL is responsible for creating many programs that are in use today. Smith A.R. & Heckbert, P. (n.d.) Brief History of the New York Institute of Technology Computer Graphics Lab. CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference. Retieved from http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~ph/nyit/masson/nyit.html

Computer based motion capture is being utilized.

Period: Jan 1, 1976 to Dec 31, 1979

Sturman, D. (1999). A Brief History of Motion Capture for Computer Character Animation. Retrieved from https://www.siggraph.org/education/materials/HyperGraph/animation/character_animation/motion_capture/history1.htm

Lucasfilms gets a computer division

Aug 1, 1979

George Lucas recruits Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith from NYIT to join Lucasfilm’s computer division. The Pixar Timeline 1979 to Present. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story Taylor, R. (2010, August 23). The history of Pixar Animation Studios [Web Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.entertainmentscene360.com

Autodesk is founded in California.

Jan 1, 1982

Autodesk is founded in California. (October 27, 2014). Standard Directory of Advertisers, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/Inacademic

Movie Tron is the first feature film to make extensive use of 3D CGI. 15 minutes of the film was CGI.

May 8, 1982

Movie Tron is the first feature film to make extensive use of 3D CGI. 15 minutes of the film was CGI. Walt Disney Productions. (1982). Tron [press release]. Retrieved from https://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/tron.html

Adobe is founded by John Warnock and Chuck Geschke.

Jun 1, 1982

Adobe is founded by John Warnock and Chuck Geschke. Adobe. (n.d.) Adobe celebrates 25th anniversary [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/history/

Alias is founded in Toronto.

Jan 1, 1983

Alias is founded in Toronto. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

Wavefront is founded in California.

Jan 1, 1984

Wavefront is founded in California. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

Lucasfilm's Computer Divsion gets a new owner and name, Pixar.

Jan 1, 1986

George Lucas sells the Computer Graphics Division to Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs renames the company Pixar. The Pixar Timeline 1979 to Present. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story

Daniel Langlois of the National Film Board of Canada founded Softimage

Jan 1, 1986

Daniel Langlois of the National Film Board of Canada founded Softimage. Burns, M. (2014). The Long and Lonely Death of Softimage. Retrieved from http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/motion-graphics/long-lonely-death-of-softimage/

Softimage launches Creative Environment 1.0.

Aug 1, 1988

Softimage launches Creative Environment 1.0. This is the first time that a single package has all three elements for 3D processing. Modeling, animating, and rendering. Burns, M. (2014). The Long and Lonely Death of Softimage. Retrieved from http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/motion-graphics/long-lonely-death-of-softimage/

Ton Roosendaal co-founded NeoGeo.

Nov 7, 1988

Ton Roosendaal co-founded NeoGeo. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/

The movie The Abyss was the first time photo realistic CGI was used integrated into a film seamlessly.

Jan 1, 1989

The movie The Abyss was the first time photo realistic CGI was used integrated into a film seamlessly. CGI in this film was created by ILM using Alias modeling software. Lockard, R. (2012, March 13). James Cameron’s Best Movie [Web Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://dejareviewer.com/2012/03/13/james-cameron-best-movie/

Alias releases PowerAnimator.

Nov 7, 1990

Alias releases PowerAnimator. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

Disney and Pixar announce agreement to make at least one computer generated movie.

May 1, 1991

Disney and Pixar announce agreement to make at least one computer generated movie. The Pixar Timeline 1979 to Present. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story

First film to use matchmoving was in Terminator 2.

Jul 1, 1991

The effect was used using the melted terminator, the T-1000, appear as though the model and the rig were on set. Carney, K. (n.d.). History of 3D Matchmoving. Retrieved from http://home.earthlink.net/~kevincarney/UCLAext/Matchmove/TrackingHistory.html

Microsft now owns Softimage

Jan 1, 1994

Microsoft aquires Softimage 3D modeling program. With that came great improvements, as well as being offered on Windows NT. Burns, M. (2014). The Long and Lonely Death of Softimage. Retrieved from http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/motion-graphics/long-lonely-death-of-softimage/

Blender begins to be programmed

Jan 1, 1995

NeoGeo’s in-house software is re-written from scratch. This software will later be known as Blender. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/

Silicon Graphics purchases Alias and Wavefront combined the two into Alias|Wavefront.

Jan 1, 1995

Silicon Graphics purchases Alias and Wavefront combined the two into Alias|Wavefront. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

Autodesk announces 3D Studio Max for Windows at SIGGRAPH.

Aug 7, 1995

Autodesk announces 3D Studio Max for Windows at SIGGRAPH. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

Pixar releases first computer animated feature film, Toy Story.

Nov 22, 1995

Pixar releases first computer animated feature film, Toy Story. The Pixar Timeline 1979 to Present. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story

Avid bought Softimage from Microsoft.

Feb 1, 1998

Avid buys Softimage from Microsoft. Burns, M. (2014). The Long and Lonely Death of Softimage. Retrieved from http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/motion-graphics/long-lonely-death-of-softimage/

Ton Roosendaal founded Not a Number (NaN).

Mar 7, 1998

Ton Roosendaal founded a new company, Not a Number (NaN). NaN was used to provide commercial products and services for Blender. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from [http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/](<a href='http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/)' >http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/</a>

Alias|Wavefront releases Maya.

Nov 7, 1998

Alias|Wavefront releases Maya. Maya is a combination of Wavefronts’ Advanced Visualizer, Thomson Digital Images’ Explore and Alias’ PowerAnimator. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

The movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is released. First attempt to make photorealistic renders in a feature film.

Jul 11, 2001

The movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is released. First attempt to make photorealistic rendered 3D feature in a film. Norman, J. (2001). The first attempt to make a photorealistic computer animated 3D feature film [Web Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.historyofinformation.com/expanded.php?id=2453

NaN investors shut down all operations.

Jan 7, 2002

NaN investors shut down all operations. This includes further developement on Blender. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/

Ton Roosendaal started a non-profit organization Blender Foundation.

May 7, 2002

Ton Roosendaal started a non-profit organization Blender Foundation. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/

Blender is purchased and released open source.

Oct 13, 2002

Blender Foundation raised 100,000 EUR to purchase Blender from the NaN investors and release Blender as a free open source program. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/

Disney announces agreement to purchase Pixar.

Jan 24, 2006

Disney announces agreement to purchase Pixar. The Pixar Timeline 1979 to Present. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story Taylor, R. (2010, August 23). The history of Pixar Animation Studios [Web Blog Post] Retrieved from http://www.entertainmentscene360.com/index.php/the-history-of-pixar-animation-studios-3-10610/

Autodesk acquires Alias|Wavefronts’ Maya.

Feb 1, 2006

Autodesk acquires Alias|Wavefronts’ Maya for $197 million. SimplyMaya. (2014). How did Maya become so popular? The history of the software. Retrieved from http://simplymaya.com/articles/maya-history/how-did-autodesk-maya-become-so-popular.mhtml

Blender completely overhauls Blender’s User Interface and releases Blender 2.5.

Feb 7, 2008

Blender completely overhauls Blender’s User Interface and releases Blender 2.5. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/

Autodesk aquires Softimage

Oct 1, 2008

Autodesk aquires Softimage for $35 million dollars. Burns, M. (2014). The Long and Lonely Death of Softimage. Retrieved from http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/motion-graphics/long-lonely-death-of-softimage/

Blender released final 2.5 version.

Jul 7, 2011

Blender released final 2.5 version. Blender.org. (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www.blender.org/foundation/history/