Rotoscope animation describes the process of creating animated sequences by tracing over live-action footage frame by frame. Though it can be time consuming, rotoscoping allows animators to create lifelike characters who move just like people in the real world.

Why do we need rotoscoping?

Rotoscoping for VFX is used to create a matte or mask for an element, so it can be extracted out to place on a different background, masked out so colors can be changed, or any other set of reasons. It is more widely used than many realize.

How is rotoscoping used today?

Today, rotoscoping is predominantly done on computers. Rotoscoping can also play a role in live-action films. For instance, filmmakers can create a matte used to extract an object from a scene to use on a different background. Rotoscoping in Star Wars is one of the most famous examples.