Timeline of computer animation in film and television

Pioneering uses of computer-generated imagery in film and television:

1970s

Image	Film	Year
	Notes
File:WestworldCGI.jpg	Westworld	1973
	First use of 2D computer digitized images as part of a feature film (infrared point of view of Gunslinger robot).
File:Futureworld CG Scene.jpg	Futureworld (sequel of Westworld)	1976
	First use of 3D computer graphics for animated hand and face. Used 2D digital compositing to materialize characters over a background.
File:StarWarsBriefing.jpg	Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope	1977
	First use of 3D vector graphics for the trench run briefing sequence.
	Alien	1979
	Used raster wireframe rendering for navigation monitors in the landing sequence.
File:TheBlackHoleCredits.jpg	The Black Hole	1979
	Disney uses CGI for the opening titles.

1980s

Image	Film	Year
	Notes
File:Looker CG Scene.jpg	Looker	1981
	First CGI human character, Cindy. First use of shaded 3D CGI as we think of it today.
File:Wrath of Khan.jpg	Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan	1982
	ILM computer graphics division develops "Genesis effect", first use of fractal-generated landscape in a film.
File:TRON CG Scene.jpg	Tron	1982
	Extensive use of 3D CGI including the famous Light Cycle sequence.
File:2010 CGI monoliths.jpg	2010: The Year We Make Contact	1984
	CGI was used to create thousands of monoliths for the end sequence.
File:The Last Starfighter CG Scene.jpg	The Last Starfighter	1984
	Uses CGI for all spaceship shots, replacing traditional models. First use of 'integrated CGI' where the effects are supposed to represent real world objects.
File:Andre and Wally.jpg	The Adventures of André and Wally B.	1984
	Lucasfilm's computer animation division creates an all-CGI animated short. The first CGI animation with motion blur effects.
File:LensmanCGI.jpg	Lensman (SF Shinseiki Lensman)	1984
	First anime to use CGI.
File:Young Sherlock Holmes CG Scene.jpg	Young Sherlock Holmes	1985
	Lucasfilm creates the first photorealistic CGI character, 'stained glass knight'.
No image	The Black Cauldron	1985
	The first animated feature to contain computer generated objects.
File:Moneyfornothing.jpg	Dire Straits - Money for Nothing	1985
	First computer generated music video.
File:Flight of the Navigator CG Scene.jpg	Flight of the Navigator	1986
	The first with the use of reflection mapping in a feature film, it was used for the flying alien spacecraft.
File:Labyrinth CG Scene.jpg	Labyrinth	1986
	First realistic CGI animal
File:Greatmousedetective.jpg	The Great Mouse Detective	1986
	First major use of computer animation in an animated film, the depiction of Big Ben's gears as background in one of the final segments.
No image	Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home	1986
	First use of the Cyberwave 3D scanner, first 3D morphing
File:Luxo Jr.jpg	Luxo Jr	1986
	Pixar's first fully 3D animated short film. First use of shadows in CGI. First CGI film to be nominated for an Academy award.
File:S3 Mills-of-doom.JPG	Knightmare	1987
	First game show with interaction between humans and computer generated surroundings.
No image	Willow	1988
	First use of morphing in a feature film.
	The Abyss	1989
	First 3D digital water effect.
File:Indiana aging.jpg	Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade	1989
	First all-digital composite.

1990s

Image	Film	Year
	Notes
File:Total Recall skeletons.jpg	Total Recall	1990
	Use of motion capture for CGI characters.
File:Die hard 2.jpg	Die Hard 2: Die Harder	1990
	First digitally-manipulated matte painting.
File:Terminator2 T1000.jpg	Terminator 2: Judgment Day	1991
	First realistic human movements on a CG character. First use of a personal computer to create major movie 3D effects.
File:Twistyhead.gif	Death Becomes Her	1992
	First human skin CG software.
File:Still03.jpg	VeggieTales	1993
	First completely computer animated video. Video titled "Where's God when I'm Scared?"
File:Jurassic Park screenshot 2.jpg	Jurassic Park	1993
	First photorealistic CG characters.
File:Babylon5 02.jpg	Babylon 5	1993
	First television series to use CGI as the primary method for its visual effects. First TV use of virtual sets.
No image	The Flintstones	1994
	First digital fur.
File:ReBoot TV series.jpg	ReBoot	1994
	First computer animated television series.
No image	Waterworld	1995
	First realistic CG water.
File:Caspermoviescreen.jpg	Casper	1995
	First CGI lead character in feature-length film (preceded Toy Story by six months). First CGI characters to interact realistically with live actors.
File:Toy Story CGI.jpg	Toy Story	1995
	First CGI feature-length animation.
No image	Cassiopeia	1996
	First CGI feature-length animation entirely made on computer, Toy Story used clay models that were scanned to 3d software, Cassiopeia was entirely made on the computer with no external models.
No image	Conceiving Ada	1997
	First 2D all-CGI backgrounds with live actors.
File:Titanicscreen1.jpg	Titanic	1997
	First historical drama to use CGI.
No image	Fight Club	1999
	The first realistic close-up of detailed facial deformation on a synthetic human.

2000s

Image	Film	Year
	Notes
File:Final Fantasy.jpg	Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within	2001
	First realistic feature-length CGI movie.
No image	Waking Life	2001
	First feature length movie filmed digitally then rotoscoped
File:Tv ytv hi jimmyneutron 02.jpg	Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius	2001
	First CGI feature length movie made using off-the-shelf hardware and software.
	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	2002
	First use of AI for digital actors (using the Massive software developed by Weta Digital).
File:Matrix Reloaded Burly Brawl.jpg	The Matrix Reloaded	2003
	The Burly Brawl - the first use of Universal Capture, 3D recording of actor's performance, its editing and rendering.
File:Immortelscreen.jpg	Immortel (Ad Vitam)	2004
	First movie with all-CGI backgrounds and live actors.
File:Polar express 1.jpg	The Polar Express	2004
	First CGI movie that used motion capture for all actors.
File:Elephantsdream.jpg	Elephants Dream	2006
	First CGI movie released as completely open source. Made with Open Source software, theatrical and DVD release under Creative Commons License. Unique that all 3D models, animatics and software all included on the DVD free for any use.

See also

• Animation
• List of computer-animated films

External links

• CG101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference ISBN# 073570046X Unique and personal histories of early computer graphics production, plus a comprehensive foundation of the industry for all reading levels.
• CG production companies and CGI in the movies - detailed historical information
• Milestones in Film History: Greatest Visual and Special Effects