Scanimate: Difference between revisions

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'''Scanimate''' is an analog [[computer animation]] ([[video synthesizer]]) system created by [[Lee Harrison III]] of [[Denver]], [[Colorado]].  Harrison had developed its predecessor, ANIMAC, which generated used a motion capture system, based on a body suit with potentiometers.  In contrast, Scanimate included TV technology.<ref name="Sturman">{{cite journal |last1=Sturman |first1=David |title=The state of computer animation |journal= [[Computer Graphics (newsletter)|Computer Graphics]] |date=1 February 1998 |volume=32 |issue=1 |page=57 |doi=10.1145/279389.279467 |publisher=[[ACM SIGGRAPH]]|url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/279389.279467 |access-date=9 January 2025}}</ref> Scanimate's successor was called Caesar, and used a digital computer to control the analog system.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yIKLBQAAQBAJ&dq=Computer+Image+Corporation+Animac+Scanimate+Caesar&pg=PA84 Computers for Imagemaking]</ref>
'''Scanimate''' is an analog [[computer animation]] ([[video synthesizer]]) system created by [[Lee Harrison III]] of [[Denver]], [[Colorado]].  Harrison had developed its predecessor, ANIMAC, which generated used a motion capture system, based on a body suit with potentiometers.  In contrast, Scanimate included TV technology.<ref name="Sturman">{{cite journal |last1=Sturman |first1=David |title=The state of computer animation |journal= [[Computer Graphics (newsletter)|Computer Graphics]] |date=1 February 1998 |volume=32 |issue=1 |page=57 |doi=10.1145/279389.279467 |publisher=[[ACM SIGGRAPH]]|url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/279389.279467 |access-date=9 January 2025}}</ref> Scanimate's successor was called Caesar, and used a digital computer to control the analog system.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yIKLBQAAQBAJ&dq=Computer+Image+Corporation+Animac+Scanimate+Caesar&pg=PA84 Computers for Imagemaking]</ref>


The 8 Scanimate systems were used to produce much of the [[video]]-based animation seen on [[television]] between most of the 1970s and early 1980s in commercials, promotions, and show openings. One of the major advantages the Scanimate system had over [[film]]-based animation and computer animation was the ability to create animations in [[Real-time computer graphics|real time]]. The speed with which animation could be produced on the system because of this, as well as its range of possible effects, helped it to supersede film-based animation techniques for television graphics. By the mid-1980s, it was superseded by digital [[computer animation]], which produced sharper images and more sophisticated 3D imagery.
The eight Scanimate systems were used to produce much of the [[video]]-based animation seen on [[television]] between most of the 1970s and early 1980s in commercials, promotions, and show openings. One of the major advantages the Scanimate system had over [[film]]-based animation and computer animation was the ability to create animations in [[Real-time computer graphics|real time]]. The speed with which animation could be produced on the system because of this, as well as its range of possible effects, helped it to supersede film-based animation techniques for television graphics. By the mid-1980s, it was superseded by digital [[computer animation]], which produced sharper images and more sophisticated 3D imagery.


Animations created on Scanimate and similar analog computer animation systems have a number of characteristic features that distinguish them from film-based animation: The motion is extremely fluid, using all 60 fields per second (in [[NTSC]] format video) or 50 fields (in [[PAL]] format video) rather than the 24 frames per second that film uses; the colors are much brighter and more saturated; and the images have a very "electronic" look that results from the direct manipulation of video signals through which the Scanimate produces the images.
Animations created on Scanimate and similar analog computer animation systems have a number of characteristic features that distinguish them from film-based animation: the motion is extremely fluid, using all 60 fields per second (in [[NTSC]] format video) or 50 fields (in [[PAL]] format video) rather than the 24 frames per second that film uses; the colors are much brighter and more saturated; and the images have a very "electronic" look that results from the direct manipulation of video signals through which the Scanimate produces the images.


==How it works==
==How it works==
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==Current usage==
==Current usage==
Two of the Scanimates are still in use at [[ZFx studios]] in Asheville, NC.  The original "Black Swan" R&D machine has been updated with more modern power supplies and can produce material in standard or 1080P high definition video.  The "white Pearl" machine is the last one produced and is being kept in its original configuration for historical purposes by David Sieg at ZFx inc.  The machines are installed in a working production environment with [[Grass Valley (company)|Grass Valley]] switchers, Kaleidoscope digital video effects systems and Accom digital disk recorders for layering.{{Fact|date=January 2025}}
Two of the Scanimates are still in use at [[ZFx studios]] in [[Asheville, North Carolina]].  The original "Black Swan" R&D machine has been updated with more modern power supplies and can produce material in standard or 1080P high definition video.  The "white Pearl" machine is the last one produced and is being kept in its original configuration for historical purposes by David Sieg at ZFx inc.  The machines are installed in a working production environment with [[Grass Valley (company)|Grass Valley]] switchers, Kaleidoscope digital video effects systems, and Accom digital disk recorders for layering.{{Fact|date=January 2025}}


==Use in television, music and films==
==Use in television, music and films==
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* [[Blame It on the Boogie]] by [[The Jackson 5|The Jacksons]]
* [[Blame It on the Boogie]] by [[The Jackson 5|The Jacksons]]
* [[Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd song)|Knock on Wood]] by [[Amii Stewart]]
* [[Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd song)|Knock on Wood]] by [[Amii Stewart]]
* [[Popcorn Love]] by [[New Edition]]
* [[DVNO]] by [[Justice (band)]]
* [[DVNO]] by [[Justice (band)]]


=== TV programs/movies ===
=== TV programs/movies ===
{{div col}}
*''Aerobicise'' (opening sequence)
*''Aerobicise'' (opening sequence)
*''[[Battle of the Network Stars]]''
*''[[Battle of the Network Stars]]''
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*''[[Monday Night Football]]'' (1973-1978 intro)
*''[[Monday Night Football]]'' (1973-1978 intro)
*[[NBC Sports]]
*[[NBC Sports]]
*[[New Edition]]'s "[[Popcorn Love]]" music video
*''[[The Next Step Beyond]]''
*''[[The Next Step Beyond]]''
*''[[Paul's Miraculous Adventure]]''
*''[[Paul's Miraculous Adventure]]''
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*''[[You and Me Kid]]'' (show's opening sequence)
*''[[You and Me Kid]]'' (show's opening sequence)
*''[[Zoom (1972 TV series)|Zoom]]'' (Season 4, 1975)
*''[[Zoom (1972 TV series)|Zoom]]'' (Season 4, 1975)
{{div col end}}


=== TV channels/home video/TV productions ===
=== TV channels/home video/TV productions ===
{{div col}}
* [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (various idents and break bumpers)
* [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (various idents and break bumpers)
* [[ABS-CBN]] (break bumper, March 1, 1987 – October 30, 2005)
* [[ABS-CBN]] (break bumper, March 1, 1987 – October 30, 2005)
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* [[Television South West]] (1982–1985 ID)
* [[Television South West]] (1982–1985 ID)
* [[Televisa]] (1973 ID for [[El Chavo]] for the First Season)
* [[Televisa]] (1973 ID for [[El Chavo]] for the First Season)
* [[TF1]] (for its 1976–1985 Startup/Shutdown IDs and 1977 ''Le Cinéma du Dimanche Soir'' ID by Robert Abel and Associates)
* [[TF1]] (for its 1976–1985 Startup/Shutdown IDs and 1977 ''Le Cinéma du Dimanche Soir'' ID by [[Robert Abel and Associates]])
* [[Televisión Nacional de Chile]] (for main IDs made from 1982 until 1988 and complemented with an Ampex AVA-1 machine)
* [[Televisión Nacional de Chile]] (for main IDs made from 1982 until 1988 and complemented with an Ampex AVA-1 machine)
* [[USA Network]] (1987 ID and other idents)
* [[USA Network]] (1987 ID and other idents)
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* [[WKBD-TV]] (3D ID)
* [[WKBD-TV]] (3D ID)
* [[Nick Jr.]] (Face bumpers from 2000 to 2003)
* [[Nick Jr.]] (Face bumpers from 2000 to 2003)
{{div col end}}


==See also==
==See also==
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* [http://scanimate.com/ The Scanimate Site]
* [http://scanimate.com/ The Scanimate Site]
* [http://scanimate.com/article.html Scanimation in the Analog Days] (An explanation of the Scanimate system)
* [http://scanimate.com/article.html Scanimation in the Analog Days] (An explanation of the Scanimate system)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wxc3mKqKTk Meet the Engineer Preserving The Last Analog Motion Graphics Machine], Viceland
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wxc3mKqKTk "Meet the Engineer Preserving The Last Analog Motion Graphics Machine"] from [[Vice TV]] – via [[YouTube]]


[[Category:Animation techniques]]
[[Category:Animation techniques]]

Latest revision as of 06:40, 2 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Scanimate is an analog computer animation (video synthesizer) system created by Lee Harrison III of Denver, Colorado. Harrison had developed its predecessor, ANIMAC, which generated used a motion capture system, based on a body suit with potentiometers. In contrast, Scanimate included TV technology.[1] Scanimate's successor was called Caesar, and used a digital computer to control the analog system.[2]

The eight Scanimate systems were used to produce much of the video-based animation seen on television between most of the 1970s and early 1980s in commercials, promotions, and show openings. One of the major advantages the Scanimate system had over film-based animation and computer animation was the ability to create animations in real time. The speed with which animation could be produced on the system because of this, as well as its range of possible effects, helped it to supersede film-based animation techniques for television graphics. By the mid-1980s, it was superseded by digital computer animation, which produced sharper images and more sophisticated 3D imagery.

Animations created on Scanimate and similar analog computer animation systems have a number of characteristic features that distinguish them from film-based animation: the motion is extremely fluid, using all 60 fields per second (in NTSC format video) or 50 fields (in PAL format video) rather than the 24 frames per second that film uses; the colors are much brighter and more saturated; and the images have a very "electronic" look that results from the direct manipulation of video signals through which the Scanimate produces the images.

How it works

A special high-resolution (around 945 lines) monochrome camera records high-contrast artwork. The image is then displayed on a high-resolution screen. Unlike a normal monitor, its deflection signals are passed through a special analog computer that enables the operator to bend the image in a variety of ways. The image is then shot from the screen by either a film camera or a video camera. In the case of a video camera, this signal is then fed into a colorizer, a device that takes certain shades of grey and turns it into color as well as transparency. The idea behind this is that the output of the Scanimate itself is always monochrome. Another advantage of the colorizer is that it gives the operator the ability to continuously add layers of graphics. This makes possible the creation of very complex graphics. This is done by using two video recorders. The background is played by one recorder and then recorded by another one. This process is repeated for every layer. This requires very high-quality video recorders (such as both the Ampex VR-2000 or IVC's IVC-9000 of Scanimate's era, the IVC-9000 being used quite frequently for Scanimate composition due to its very high generational quality between re-recordings).

Current usage

Two of the Scanimates are still in use at ZFx studios in Asheville, North Carolina. The original "Black Swan" R&D machine has been updated with more modern power supplies and can produce material in standard or 1080P high definition video. The "white Pearl" machine is the last one produced and is being kept in its original configuration for historical purposes by David Sieg at ZFx inc. The machines are installed in a working production environment with Grass Valley switchers, Kaleidoscope digital video effects systems, and Accom digital disk recorders for layering.Template:Fact

Use in television, music and films

Music videos

TV programs/movies

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TV channels/home video/TV productions

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See also

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Computers for Imagemaking
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Scanimate&oldid=4984052"