Glossary
45 terms
In this 3D and VFX glossary, we explain each word in one or two sentences. The most important ones link to a longer guide.
45 terms
3D modeling
Creating the shape of an object, a character or a set in 3D.
3D scan
Turning a real object into 3D, with a scanner or by photogrammetry.
Animatic
A storyboard edited into a video with the length of each shot and temp sound, to judge the pacing of a film. Read the guide →
Asset
Any reusable 3D element in a production, such as a character, an object, a set or a material.
Augmented reality (AR)
Adding 3D elements to the real view, on a phone, a tablet or glasses. Our service →
CAD
Computer-aided design. The technical files of a product, often the best starting point for a 3D product film. Our service →
CFX
Character effects. The simulation of a character’s cloth, hair and fur.
CGI
Computer-generated imagery. An image created by computer. Read the guide →
Character design
The visual design of a character, with its silhouette, style, colors and expressions.
Color grading
The final adjustment of the colors and light of each shot, to give the film its mood.
Compositing
Putting all the layers of an image (footage, 3D, effects) together into one consistent final shot. Our service →
Computer-generated imagery
An image calculated entirely by computer. Also called CGI. Read the guide →
Concept art
Exploration artwork that sets the visual world of a project before production.
DOOH
Digital out of home. Outdoor advertising on screens. Read the guide →
FOOH
Fake out of home. A spectacular outdoor ad that only exists on video, created in CGI. Read the guide →
FX
Effects created by simulation, such as fire, smoke, water, destruction and particles. Our service →
HDRI
A panoramic image that records the lighting of a place, used to light the 3D the same way as on set.
Houdini
The standard 3D software for simulation and procedural effects.
Keyframe animation
Animation where the animator sets the key poses and the computer calculates the frames in between.
Layout
Placing the cameras, sets and characters of each shot in 3D, after the previs.
Lookdev
Look development. Setting up the materials and textures of an object so it looks believable under any light.
Matchmove (tracking)
Rebuilding the movement of a real camera, to add 3D elements to the footage.
Matte painting
A painted set blended into filmed footage to show an impossible place. Read the guide →
Motion capture (mocap)
Recording an actor’s movements to animate a 3D character.
Motion design
Graphics in motion. Animated shapes, text and objects, often in short formats. Our service →
Packshot
An image or short video that shows a product on its own and at its best, often on a plain background. Our service →
Photogrammetry
Rebuilding an object or a place in 3D from many photos.
Pipeline
The sequence of steps and tools in a production, from concept to delivery.
Post-production
Everything done after the shoot or the production, such as editing, VFX, grading and sound. Our service →
Previs
Previsualization. A simple 3D version of the shots, used to decide the camera and the staging. Read the guide →
Real time
3D calculated instantly (video games, VR), as opposed to the pre-rendered images of a film. Our service →
Render farm
A group of computers that calculate the frames of a film in parallel.
Rendering
Calculating the final image from the 3D scene (geometry, materials, lights, camera).
Retargeting
Transferring an animation (often motion capture) from one skeleton to another.
Rigging
Building the skeleton and the controls used to animate a character or an object.
Rotoscoping
Frame-by-frame work on live-action footage. In VFX, it means drawing animated masks. Read the guide →
SFX
Special effects. Effects done physically on set (pyrotechnics, rain, makeup). Read the guide →
Shading
Programming how a material looks (color, shine, transparency, bump).
Simulation
Calculating a physical phenomenon (liquid, cloth, smoke, destruction) instead of animating it by hand.
Storyboard
A series of drawings that shows the shots of a film before it is made. Read the guide →
Texturing
Creating the images (color, roughness, bump) applied to the surface of a 3D model.
VFX
Visual effects. Images created or changed by computer in post-production. Read the guide →
VFX supervisor
The person in charge of a film’s visual effects, from planning to compositing. Our service →
Virtual reality (VR)
Immersion in a world made entirely in 3D, with a headset. Our service →
XR
Extended reality. A term that covers virtual, augmented and mixed reality. Our service →