What is the difference between VFX and CGI? How amazing visuals and powerful scenes of films are created

What is The Difference Between VFX And ​​CGI: Today, the way of making films has completely changed all over the world. Earlier in films, it was very difficult to show a war, big palaces, flying superheroes or thousands of soldiers together. But now such scenes are easily seen in films like ‘Ramayana’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Avengers’, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Many times people are not able to understand whether what is seen on the screen is real or computer generated scenes. For this, two words are heard the most, first is VFX and second is CGI. People often say on social media that the CGI of this film is not good or its VFX is fantastic. But the truth is that both are not the same thing. The work of both is different and together they create that world in films, which is not possible to shoot with a camera. Let us understand in simple language in this explainer what is the difference between VFX and CGI and how big visuals of films are created.

What is VFX?

VFX is called Visual Effects in English. This means making changes to the original scene shot with the camera later with the help of a computer. For example, suppose in a film the hero is to be shown standing on the roof of a 100 storey high building. Doing this in real life can be risky. That’s why the actor acts in front of the green screen in the studio. Later the VFX team removes that green curtain and adds a tall building in its place. That is, where real shooting and computer work together to create a real scene. This technique is called VFX.

What is CGI?

CGI is called Computer Generated Imagery in English. In this technology the entire thing is prepared through computer only. Here no actual shooting with the camera is necessary. For example, dinosaurs, dragons, aliens, Marvel’s Hulk, Thanos, the blue Na’vi from ‘Avatar’ or the flying vehicles of the future. All these are first designed with 3D software. Then colors, brightness, clothes, facial expressions and movements are added to them. That is, the thing which is completely created inside the computer is called CGI.

What is the biggest difference between VFX and CGI?

The difference between VFX and CGI confuses many people. Understand in simple language. If a computer-generated palace is added to the real shooting of an actor, then the entire work will be called VFX. But the technology to build that palace will be CGI. That means CGI is a digital tool, whereas VFX is a complete process. In other words, every CGI can become a part of VFX, but every VFX is not just CGI.

How are big scenes prepared in films?

It takes months of hard work to create the spectacular scenes seen in films. First of all, the director and the VFX team together create a storyboard. In this it is decided where the camera will be, in which direction the actor will look and what things will be added later. After this shooting takes place. Green screen is installed. Small markers are placed on the actor’s body so that the computer can recognize his every movement. Post-production starts after the shooting is completed. This is the place where all this work happens. Here background, smoke, fire, rain, explosion, palace, mountains, river and other digital things are added.

Why is a green screen green?

Many people might be wondering what is this green screen. The real reason is that human skin and hair do not have green color. Therefore, the computer easily removes the green color and replaces it with the desired background. If the artist is wearing green clothes then that part can also be removed. Therefore, special care is taken about the costumes during shooting.

What is motion capture?

In today’s big films, just making models using computers is not enough. If a digital character has to show human-like movements, laughter, crying or fighting, then Motion Capture technology is used. In this, the artist wears a special kind of suit on which many sensors are fitted. Cameras installed all around record his every movements. Later the same movements are added to a digital character. This technology was used in ‘Avatar’, Gollum of ‘Lord of the Rings’ and many Marvel films.

Why does VFX look bad sometimes?

It is not necessary that the VFX of every big film is good. There are many big reasons for this. The biggest reason is lack of time. Many times, due to the release date being fixed, the VFX team works in a hurry. The second reason is lighting. If the light falling on the actor and the light of the computer-generated background are different, then the scene looks fake. The third reason is also the budget. It requires a good VFX team, expensive computers and a lot of time. Often great VFX cannot be made in a low budget. This is the reason why sometimes VFX is given poorly.

Now new technology is used instead of green screen

The way of working in the film industry is changing rapidly. Now LED wall and Virtual Production are also being used instead of green screen in many big films. In this technology, a huge LED screen is installed behind the actor on which a real-looking 3D background keeps playing. With this, the actor also knows the environment in which he is acting and the light in the camera also appears completely natural. This technology has been used in many Hollywood films.

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