A Computer Animated Hand

A Computer Animated Hand is a 1972 American computer-animated short film created by Ed Catmull and Fred Parke. This groundbreaking work is considered one of the earliest examples of 3D computer animation in the film industry and has played a significant role in the development of computer graphics as a field. The project was developed at the University of Utah under the guidance of Ivan Sutherland, a pioneer in the field of computer graphics.

Background

In the early 1970s, the field of computer graphics was in its infancy, with researchers exploring the potential of computers to create images and animations. Ed Catmull, a computer science student at the University of Utah, was fascinated by the possibility of creating three-dimensional representations of objects on a computer. The University of Utah was a leading institution in this field, thanks to its acquisition of advanced computer equipment and the presence of faculty like Ivan Sutherland, who had previously developed the Sketchpad, an innovative computer program that allowed users to draw directly on a monitor.

Production

The creation of A Computer Animated Hand involved developing new techniques for representing 3D objects digitally. Catmull and Parke decided to create a model of a human hand, which presented a significant challenge due to its complex geometry and the need for realistic movement. To accomplish this, they used a plaster cast of Catmull's own hand, which was then digitized using a series of coordinates to represent the shape in three dimensions. This process required manually entering data points into the computer, a painstaking task at the time.

The animation itself was created by manipulating the digital model to simulate movement, including bending fingers and rotating the hand. This required the development of algorithms to interpolate between different positions of the hand, a technique that has since become a fundamental aspect of 3D animation.

Impact

A Computer Animated Hand was a milestone in the history of computer graphics and animation. It demonstrated the feasibility of creating detailed 3D models and animating them in a realistic manner, laying the groundwork for future developments in the field. The techniques developed for the project would go on to influence the creation of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in film and television, eventually leading to the development of blockbuster movies entirely created with CGI.

The film also contributed to the academic and professional recognition of computer graphics as a legitimate area of study and practice. It was one of the first computer-generated films to be widely shown to both technical and general audiences, helping to spark interest in the potential of computer animation.

Legacy

The legacy of A Computer Animated Hand extends far beyond its technical achievements. It is often cited as a key work in the history of computer animation, inspiring generations of animators and computer scientists. Ed Catmull would go on to co-found Pixar Animation Studios, a company that has played a pivotal role in the development of computer-animated feature films. The techniques and principles developed during the creation of A Computer Animated Hand can be seen in the sophisticated animations that are now commonplace in cinema, television, and video games.