Movies and big screen experiences have radically changed like forever. Visual effects (VFX) and computer-generated imagery (CGI)  paved the way to film advancements that resulted in phenomenal films globally. Perfect landscapes in faraway kingdoms, talking aliens and impressive fire scenes are just proof of this cutting-edge technology. Whatever was deemed difficult for live shots now comes handy with VFX and CGI.

Which is better, VFX or CGI? While closely related, VFX is better as it employs CGI in the process. Visual effects involve the creation of any on-screen imagery with no real existence and its integration to live footage after capture. CGI on the other hand, includes everything that’s digitally created, whether a 2D or 3D model.

The characteristics, pros and cons of both VFX and CGI are discussed in this article as they’re indispensable in clearly differentiating one from the other. Key differences between them will be highlighted and sample films are included to illustrate their usage and concepts well.

VFX And CGI Basics

Visual effects can be sometimes confused with computer-generated imagery sans the knowledge of their basics. The succeeding paragraphs will look at their characteristics, benefits and drawback to address this recurring issue.

What VFX Is

Definition of VFX

Visual effects, commonly abbreviated as VFX, are done in three ways. Simply combining two or more of live-action footage via digital manipulation is a possibility. You can create purely computer generated images for videos. On-screen imagery can also be integrated to live shots to achieve the desired realistic environment.

The environments produced are either too difficult and too dangerous to actually shoot or worlds that do not physically exist. These effects are virtually created using computer graphics. Moving media, which are impossible during live-action shooting, can come off in this context. The process usually occurs at post-production or after the primary image capture.

VFX Characteristics

Timing of VFX

When and how an effect is created plays a crucial role in films. For visual effects to significantly impact the storyline, timing has to be perfect. While VFX are added after the production process, they are exhaustively planned during the building stage.

Live-Action Effects

These involve placing materials on set and editing them by using green or blue screens, though green is more prominent. Colors green and blue are said to lie on the opposite end of the color spectrum, that is from red to orange, and thus, are not associated with the colors of skin tones. This means that keying persons on screen will have less interference, which is the main goal.

Matte Painting

Matte painting is the process of getting a single image for the required result. Multiple varied images and objects are combined and edited through a software to achieve this purpose.

Digital Animation and Compositing

Digital animation involves rotoscoping, particle effects, and digital background settings. Compositing or ‘chroma keying’ is the technique of combining visual elements from different sources into a single image. This results in an illusion that all those elements came from the same scene.

Rotoscoping is an animation technique that creates a mask for a certain element. This is made so that said element can be extracted out and placed on a new background or on a different set of colors. Particle effects, on the contrary, are used for realistic smoke, explosions, fire, and other similar phenomena.

Creating 3D Models

CGI is used in creating visual effects. 3D models help film stories come to life and only CGI can make this happen. Others claim that nowadays, it is impossible to execute visual effects apart from computer-generated images.

Motion Capture

The process of recording movements of objects and materials is called motion capture. These clippings are used in the final process through a specialized software such as Motion Builder.

Pros

Makes dreams come true 

VFX is helpful in situations where practical means are impossible. The dreams of the past have been realized through visual effects. Aliens, for instance, remained in imaginations until movies made them alive, powerful and even talking! Worlds of possibilities have been opened to us with the realism brought by visual effects.

The use of green screen for example, may include two images or video streams that are layered  or composited together. This technique allows you to drop in whatever background images that you want. When backgrounds are not available, like aliens, fictional, futuristic, historic, or hard-to-access ones, this strategy will let those images in. 

Continually has rooms for improvement and is the future

Visual effects in movies just get better through time. The future is more likely inclined to increasing volumes of VFX as the process continues to evolve. New ways of bringing characters and even the extraterrestrial world to life just keep coming. It can be observed that highest-grossing films have scenes with visual effects. Avatar and Avengers are two masterpieces in our time.

The production process has become less physical 

VFX has now become the trend as production tends to be less physical. However, this could mean an increase in investment in terms of software and technology. Companies specializing in visual effects may have a boost sometime ahead given this direction.

Cons

Usually unreal 

Special effects, animatronics, and stop-motion are more tangible than visual effects. The use of digital processes and platforms results in movie scenes which are not real. It is important to note that this is not always fascinating for everybody. 

Involves high costs

They say that technology costs more than the actors and if you add that amount to the actors’ fees, you’d probably get a large sum of money. Also, breaking box office records isn’t always true for films with VFX spending. The movies King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Monster Trucks are evidence that you can always lose millions despite the use of visual effects.

Requires a lot of planning

Having a drastic change of the live-take to produce needed results is not easy. The best-laid plans are required for the integrated visual effects to be truly effective. The movie or visual effects director normally has the upper hand in situations like this.

What CGI is

Image source: Disney Animation

Definition of CGI

A shorter name for Computer Generated Imagery, CGI is a stand-alone process that can be done without visual effects. CGI encompasses everything that’s digitally created on the computer platform. This creation could be images useful for art and print media, videos, games, films, animation, or short ads.

CGI involves modeling 3D objects and rendering images out of those objects, though the term still applies to 2D models. At present, CGI has become more of a complex term for 3D computer graphics.

CGI Characteristics

High-end and Standardized Quality

The use of computers normally contributes to a high standard of quality, given a competent technical staff. For films, visual effects blended with computer generated images tend to be better and more manageable than practical effects. This technique is also much safer compared to the latter.

Impossible Effects and Images Are Possible

Creation of effects and images that can’t be achieved using any other means is an advantage that computers bring. These effects are not only possible, but can be as realistic as you want them to be. For instance, the Toy Story in 1995 made use of CGI and was the first fully animated movie that children loved.

Time and Cost Saver

CGI is made with wireframe models. These models comprise a time-saving method such that any type of setting can be assigned to them at any given time. Once created, CGI can be reused if required so there is no need to develop libraries and materials over and over again.

Popular in Various Fields

In reality, on-screen imagery is not limited to the movie industry alone. Engineers and architects use CGI in creating 3D models, architectural maps, and blueprints. Learning and educational video clips can be also designed with integrated CGI outputs. 

Pros

Freedom for the Director

Computer software normally allows for more creativity, thus, giving more freedom to a movie director’s production ideas. What can be done to any movie scene seems to be limitless. Certain angles, sizes, and directions are better executed with the use of CGI.

Efficient Time Scale

A lot of film time can be saved since the work can be accomplished via computers. Setting up places for shoots and coordinating with actors and crews can consume greater time and effort. CGI further eliminates the need for setting up and using green screens just to create unrealistic imagery. 

Ability to Adapt and Change

Even with a completed shot, a character’s look can be changed. Computers possess this manipulative power under a skillful artist’s hands. A scene’s detail can be altered, thus, ensuring a deeper level of the director’s and probably, the viewers’ satisfaction.

Saves Some Money

So much can be done from the simplicity of a computer and with it comes savings in the production process. CGI can eliminate spending for set spaces, crew members, costumes, and make-up that would otherwise constitute the bulk of incurred costs. Any effect that can be done physically is possible and cheaper with CGI.

Cons

Too Much CGI Affects Film Authenticity and Experience

The new Lion King is an example of this dilemma. The audience knows everything is computerized and this affects the overall movie impact. In real life, CGI can be easily overused. Too much on-screen imagery may still be realistic but can remove excitement, especially for adult viewers. Sometimes a far better effect is reached with a real, physical thing.

Need for Highly Skilled Technicians 

Manipulating CGI software requires time, knowledge, and skills. Films usually have defined production hours, so a highly skilled staff is needed. However, finding highly skilled technicians who can be trusted with quality and in beating deadlines also need time. Technicians must also possess the ability to unlearn and quickly adjust to software updates. 

The Difficulty of Animation

The pressure of having perfect edits is always present, whatever project might be at hand. It is therefore a challenge to have realistic effects, despite fantasy and space-themed platforms. How to do this depends largely on skills and experience. Flaws during movements of your CGI creation can be seen in quick snapshots, that is why extra effort and diligence are required. 

The Price to Pay

With CGI, making a film saves time and money, but hardware and programming remain vital, and upfront costs. Everything needs  to be high-end so special programs are used for excellent quality. A pretty good amount has to be invested for this. In the case of the Game of Thrones series, assuming there are 10 minutes of CGI, they’re estimated to cost $800,000.

VFX Vs CGI

By now, it is clear that movies can include both visual effects and computer generated imagery depending on planned results. Let us take a closer look on their key differences, combined milestones and use in the film industry. 

Key Differences Between VFX And CGI

In essence, CGI can be a part of VFX, though both can be created independently. VFX involves any kind of effect that is not captured directly in the camera and virtually created in the post-production process. Specially designed software for certain needs is required in VFX. CGI, on the other hand, is via the digital platform and requires no advanced software to produce an output. 

A special Visual Effects Director is needed for planning, and timing of VFX. Under CGI, timing is not an issue for the user nor any special supervisor has to be hired. Some of the common companies that provide VFX services are Weta Digital, Framestore, Digital Domain and Moving Picture Company. Every company today, however, is using the CGI process.

Computer animation is a crucial part of CGI. Animation is created by placing images under time domains and the illusion of movement. There has to be slight differences in consecutive images for this to happen. VFX on the contrary, are special features added on the already existing images and those that cannot be generated physically.

Usage In Films

Few Milestones In The Industry

History saw the impact that visual effects and computer generated imagery brought to the limelight. Here are a few milestones to remember.

Though attempts were made way earlier, Golgo 13 was the first animated film to successfully incorporate CGI sequences in 1983. The Crow in 1994 had Brandon Lee in footlights, the first deceased actor recreated via CGI. The Toy Story in 1995 was acknowledged as the world’s first in feature-length computer animated movies.

The sequel Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within in 2001 is the first feature-length digital film combining photorealism and live action principles. It is also the pioneer in utilizing motion capture for all movie character actions.

The first virtual actor to win the award “Best Digital Acting Performance” of the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards was from the second installment of The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers in 2002. In 2004, The Polar Express hit the cinema with its first ever computer-animated 3D feature mixed with motion capture technique. 

In 2009, the first computer-animated feature to be nominated for Academy Award for Best Picture was the movie Up. More accomplishments can be expected as VFX and CGI continue to revolutionize the movie world.

Sample Films

VFX

Lord Of The Rings

Using the Massive software developed by Weta Digital, the Fellowship of The Ring released in 2001 had the first use of AI for its digital actors. The photo below shows how a character was created.

The Matrix Reloaded

This film pioneered the use of universal capture in 2003. Digital look-alikes were realistic with dense motion capture blended with an optical flow of pixels plus a per-frame texture capture. 

Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones series showed the progress of VFX with its intricate dragons and elaborate sets. Many were hooked to its plot which made it a global phenomenon in no time. 

Jurassic Park

The first photorealistic computer generated creatures were featured in this 1993 film. The use of visual effects in the movie can be seen in a sample scene below. 

CGI 

Avatar

This first full-length movie using performance capture for 3D models is an all-time, highest-grossing favorite. Avatar is filled with photorealistic 3D characters that blend with its fully computer generated photorealistic world.

Avengers: Endgame

The image above shows just how wonderful CGI is when mixed with live footage. Avengers Endgame is said to be the most expensive movie ever made in its own kind. 

Transformers

The Beast Wars was the first CGI Transformers animated series produced by Mainframe Entertainment. This imagery is proven by the photo below. 

Image Source: Twitter-MainframeAnim

The Jungle Book 

In this movie, the beautiful jungle and its animals were created via CGI. The picture below bares it all. 

FX And CGI Today

As production resumes, staging crowd scenes have to be via VFX to address the pandemic challenge. While cinemas came to a temporary halt, the show has to go on following prescribed protocols. For instance, the Freeform TV Drama “ Good Trouble” has to be filmed digitally through a set in Valencia instead of downtown L.A with a limited number of people.

Virtual filmmaking now takes the center stage, especially that working remotely has become a trend. Several smaller VFX houses have accordingly seen an increase in business since the start of the crisis.

For one, Buffalo 8 had an utmost 25% increase in its overall business for VFX and post production operations. This VFX house has topped up work on productions such as Lionsgate’s Arkansas, a crime thriller starring Liam Hemsworth and Vince Vaughn. German VFX house Rise is another growing company. It has actually turned down new work following its commitments for the season 3 of Netflix’s drama Dark and Disney+ feature Artemis Fowl.

Conclusion

You might have formed an opinion already upon reading this section. Visual effects are deemed better than CGI in movies because of the classic involvement of actors in live-action shootings. While digital manipulation is commendable, the impact of real characters in a film can enhance anyone’s viewing experience. CGI isn’t confined to movies anyway. In the end, the audience will always have the final say.