The definition of 3D animation is, “Animating objects that appear in a three-dimensional space. They can be rotated and moved like real objects. 3D animation is at the heart of games and virtual reality, but it may also be used in presentation graphics to add flair to the visuals.” How did 3D animation come to be?
William Fetter, an American computer graphics art director, is often attributed to being the founder and creator of 3D animation. In 1960, while working for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita Kansas, he coined the term “computer graphics” after creating the first computer model of the human body. This first 3D model is known as “The Boeing Man.” Fetter was the Supervisor of Advanced Design Graphics at Boeing Aircraft. He and his team explored new techniques, using computer graphics, to assist in the design of airplanes.
Being that 3D animation was founded on the grounds of an engineering company, it makes sense that much of the 3D videos that are created are for the engineering industry. 3D animation can show the inner workings of machine or what has not yet been built, the exact thing William Fetter and his team were working on when 3D animation was created.
Besides engineering, there are many other industries that use 3D animation visualizations. Such as, medical, architectural and retail. In the retail industry, many products are hard or confusing to describe, so companies use 3D modeling to explain the functions of the product. This can be extremely helpful for things that cannot be photographed. Such as, microscopic elements or multiple dimensions and angles.
Anything you can imagine, an animator can create. Other industries that commonly use 3D animation include mining, gaming and construction. Fluid simulations are one 3D animation technique that can be used in the previously mentioned industries and many more. 3D fluid simulations can show how the lubrication of a piston aircraft works, or blood flowing through veins or water flowing through the pipes of a building that hasn’t been built yet.
3D animation is a great way to bring to life a product or design that is still on the drawing board. It is also great to use for something that is difficult to explain verbally. 3D animation can make things visible that are normally invisible or hard to understand. Although there are a few industries who commonly use 3D animation, it is now used for much more. 3D animation can be used to describe or show the details of any product, service or function.