Certified Animation Professional (CAP) Practice Test

What animation method involves taking still images to imply movement?

1. 3D animation

2. Stop-motion

3. Rotational animation

4. Frame-by-frame animation

The correct answer is: Stop-motion

The animation method that involves taking still images to imply movement is stop-motion. This technique utilizes physical objects or puppets, which are photographed in a sequence. Each photograph captures the object in a slightly different position, and when these images are played back in rapid succession, they create the illusion of movement. This method relies heavily on the timing and precise adjustments of the objects to convey fluid motion, and is often characterized by its unique and tactile aesthetic. The other methods mentioned have different approaches to creating movement. For instance, 3D animation involves the creation of digital models that are manipulated in a 3D space, producing movement through computer software rather than still images. Rotational animation typically refers to the animation of an object rotating around an axis, which also does not imply movement through still images. Frame-by-frame animation indeed involves creating movement through a sequence of frames, but it often refers to traditional or digital techniques where each frame is either hand-drawn or created through software, distinguishing it from the physical nature of stop-motion.