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.... "a must read for those in the computer animation
industry."
.... "your wealth of knowledge is appreciated by the industry"
.... "I now have a much better understanding of the industry in which
I work."
....
"Please don't stop, we need this information. I can't get it anywhere
else."
These are
some of the comments from our readers who understand the importance of this
information - particularly now that the industry is experiencing
considerable change as it adjusts to new technology, user demands, and
global realities. It is an industry whose productions today permeate every facet of our lives. It
remains a
world-wide phenomenon. It is a US$27.7 billion industry that is
re-structuring, and re-inventing itself as it continues to grow and develop.
And it is basically now a 3D industry.
2004 saw a
resurgence of growth for the computer animation industry, but historical
patterns are changing. The number of minutes of production are
increasing at an appreciably faster rate than the dollar value of that
production. It is becoming increasingly competitive.
Windows XP
Pro is by far the dominant industry operating system, with XP Pro based
computer animation systems being used for all film and television program
production applications, and for Games and Internet uses. Windows XP Pro usage is increasing as Unix based systems rapidly loose share to XP Pro and Linux. Macintosh
continues to show strength, but is back in third place as Windows XP Home
gains users. Linux is cannibalizing Unix systems, but not
Windows. Read why.
The industry
is now a basically all 3D oriented, with 2D production filling very
specialized needs, mainly for Television program use. Software prices have
stabilized, although some price reductions are still occurring. We
have accordingly segregated the3D software segment into two distinct levels
to accommodate how the software is now being
sold, and used.
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Industry growth continues to be driven by the new,
smaller, computer animation production companies that are still starting up -
taking advantage of the very low industry entry level financial threshold
as hardware and software prices ease downward. The competitiveness of the
computer animation and visual effects production industry is reducing
margins, generating mergers and restructuring
of companies as they strive to remain profitable. Major new players have
entered the industry, and more are planningto.
Performance
animation - motion capture, lip-sync, facial animation, 3D scanners, image
modelers, specific task plug-ins, greenscreen.. Tools to lower production times and costs
are being sought by all as production budgets tighten and competition
increases. Digital assets management gains importance, and the digital
backlot is a cost saving reality. The new and growing need for
creating and producing computer animation for the small screens of cell
phones, the Internet, and personal, mobile communications devices has opened
up a
huge new application area.
The supply
of experienced operators to run the systems still outstrips demand.
Offshore production is starting to become a reality, even for
high-end 3D computer animation. It is expanding rapidly with many new production
facilities based in Asia and Pacific Rim countries. India has been
joined by Chine, a new force soon to be reckoned with.
If you are
a software developer, or hardware manufacturer, a computer
animation producer, or financially serving these markets, these changes are
affecting you and your business. Your success depends on your understanding of
how the industry is changing - and where it is going.
The
Roncarelli report on the Computer Animation Industry – 2004, answers many
of your questions, and gives you the data you need to plan your company’s
success.
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