Persistance of Vision
"Persistance of Vision" is a scientific theory that explains how our eyes and brains work together to make it seem like cartoons are moving when they're really just a lot of still images shown quickly one after the other.
Please note that Persistance of Vision is not directly applicable to Brush Ninja.
The concept of persistence of vision has been used in animation for over a century. It is the foundation for all animation techniques, including hand-drawn, stop-motion, and computer-generated animation.
Hand draw animation
In traditional hand-drawn animation, an animator creates a series of still images on separate sheets of paper. Each image shows a slight change in position or expression. These drawings are then photographed in sequence and played back at a fast enough rate to create the illusion of movement.
Stop motion animation
Stop-motion animation works in a similar way. Instead of drawing images, animators use physical objects that can be moved slightly between frames. For example, clay figures can be manipulated and photographed one frame at a time to create the illusion of movement.
Computer-generated animation
Computer-generated animation uses persistence of vision as well. Animators create 3D models and then move them slightly between frames. The computer software then renders the frames into a video file that can be played back to create seamless motion.
Frame rate and motion blur also play an important role in Persistence of vision. The frame rate determines how many frames are shown per second. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the motion appears to the viewer. Motion blur is created by showing each frame slightly blurred at the edges to simulate how our eyes perceive objects in motion.
While persistence of vision is essential for creating animation, it is not perfect. The human eye has a limited frame rate, meaning it cannot perceive individual images that appear and disappear too quickly. This can lead to problems with flickering or stuttering animations if the frame rate is too low.
In recent years, advances in technology have allowed for even more realistic animations by increasing frame rates and improving motion blur techniques. Virtual reality and augmented reality have also pushed the limits of animation by requiring even higher frame rates to maintain immersion.
In conclusion, persistence of vision is a key concept in animation that allows animators to create the illusion of movement through exploiting how our eyes perceive images. It has been used for over a century in various animation techniques, including hand-drawn, stop-motion, and computer-generated animation. Advances in technology have allowed for even more realistic animations, and the demand for high-quality animation continues to grow in various industries.
