What Does 'CGI (Computer-generated Imagery)' Mean?

What is CGI (Computer-generated Imagery)?
Photo by Phil Shaw on Unsplash

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is a technique used to create digital images or animations using computer software. These images and animations can be used in a variety of contexts, including film, television, video games, advertising, and virtual reality.

CGI allows filmmakers and other content creators to create visual effects and other digital assets that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional film-making techniques. It is often used to create special effects such as explosions, transformations, and other fantastical elements. CGI can also be used to create digital environments and characters, allowing filmmakers to create entirely new worlds or bring existing characters to life in a more realistic way.

The process of creating CGI involves a number of steps. First, a 3D model is created using specialized software. This model is essentially a digital representation of the object or character that will be rendered using CGI. The model is then textured, meaning that it is given a surface appearance such as color, texture, and other visual details.

Next, the model is placed in a digital environment, which can be created using a variety of software tools. This environment can be as simple as a blank room or as complex as a fully-realized digital world. The lighting and camera angles for the scene are then set up, and the final image or animation is rendered using specialized software.

CGI has revolutionized the way that visual effects are created for film, television, and other media. It has allowed filmmakers to create more realistic and immersive worlds and has opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities. While CGI has come a long way in recent years, it is still an evolving technology, and new techniques and tools are constantly being developed to improve the quality and realism of CGI images and animations.