In this guide, you’ll learn about the meaning of the abbreviation CGI, where the term comes from, how to use it, synonyms, examples, and more.
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Kevin
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January 17, 2022
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Common Questions
In this guide, you’ll learn about the meaning of the abbreviation CGI, where the term comes from, how to use it, synonyms, examples, and more.
Watching a movie is always an enjoyable pastime. You can watch your favorite films with friends, family, at home, out with someone, alone, or with a crowd from your fandom.
One term you’ll hear a lot when people discuss movies is CGI. But what does CGI mean, and how does it contribute to the movies we all love?
CGI stands for an abbreviation of the phrase computer-generated imagery. Computer-generated imagery is a digital art form used to create elements in video games, television, and film.
Below are a few examples of this acronym used in context:
The best way to truly appreciate CGI is by looking back at the rich history of its use in media. Let’s explore the origins of computer-generated imagery.
The first film to ever use CGI was the 1958 Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo. Another notable early use of CGI was in the 1973 film Westworld. You may recognize the name of that film because it is now a popular HBO series.
It was George Lucas and the movie Star Wars (1977) that ultimately hooked us all to the magic of CGI. That sci-fi classic is full of early computer-generated imagery. In science fiction films like Star Wars, CGI helped eliminate the headache of physically creating a fantastical or improbable scene.
Another movie that made CGI history was 1984’s The Last Starfighter. This film became the first movie to use CGI to create “real-life” starships and battle scenes.
Since its early days, the world of computer graphics has grown into a billion-dollar industry. The CGI industry has a market size of $156 billion in just 2020 for Global Animation and VFX. In addition, there are now many different methods for creating CGI. These techniques include:
The term CGI is typically used when talking about a video game, film, or television show. Sometimes, people refer to CGI as either convincing or noticeably unrealistic. For example, you might hear comments about how realistic the graphics in a video game are. On the other hand, you might also hear complaints about unconvincing and noticeably outdated CGI.
CGI has given us some incredible movies in the almost 50 years since it was first shown to audiences. Some of the most famous movies with prominent CGI elements include:
Without CGI, the animated film industry of today couldn’t exist. One of the most famous CGI companies is Pixar. Today, they are known as the entity Disney-Pixar. When audiences see their signature animated lamp jumping across the screen, they sit back and prepare for an unforgettable movie.
Pixar used CGI to create classics like:
The use of CGI has expanded into numerous industries since its earliest use. Today, you’ll find computer-generated imagery in everything from movies and video games to material for marketing, real estate, and engineering.
For people considering going into computer graphics, there are plenty of potential careers to consider. Here are a few examples of key positions in the CGI industry.
It’s incredible to think how many people and how much work goes into projects like 30-second commercials, video games, and three-hour motion pictures. CGI is a fast-developing field with a growing need for talented individuals.
Synonyms are words or phrases that express the same meaning as another word. Here are a few synonyms for computer-generated imagery (CGI):
Antonyms express the opposite meaning of a word. Here are a few antonyms for computer-generated imagery (CGI):
Below are a few sentences that include CGI.
Now you know what CGI is, what it stands for, and how to use it in a sentence. Happy writing!