Animation photo transfer process
The animation photo transfer process (APT process) is a photographic transfer system that can photographically transfer lines or solid blocks of colors onto acetate sheets (cels). A similar process is used in making the stencils for silk screen printing. The process relies on UV-sensitive inks that cure when exposed to light and stick to the plastic sheet, while the ink in the non-exposed areas is chemically removed from the sheet.
Advantages
Its main advantage is that coloring - normally done via back painting after xerox scanning - can be controlled better and multiple versions made quickly. The drawings are photographed and the negatives then processed onto the cels instead of the typical photography. It also means that a line on an animated character can be in color instead of just black, though xerography at this point can be done in color too. This is known as self-colored lines.
Examples
This process was used on Disney's animated features such as The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, Oliver & Company, and The Little Mermaid.
See also
- The Black Cauldron
- Timeline of CGI in film and television
- Traditional animation