Frozen - Computer graphics and snow simulation

Have you ever wondered why all the cartoon figures in the movie look so real?

Were you impressed with the snowflakes in Frozen?

The answer of these questions are two words: Computer Graphics (CG)

According to wikipedia, " Computer graphics are pictures and movies created using computers – usually referring to image data created by a computer specifically with help from specialized graphical hardware and software." 

Unlike most of natural phenomenon, snow is very challenging to simulate. A Material Point Method is a new method to achieve snow simulation and it uses a usercontrollable elasto-plastic constitutive model integrated with a hybrid Eulerian/Lagrangian Material Point Method. This method successfully addresses the accumulation of snow, animation of snow dynamics, and complex character interactions. The video below shows the power of material point method.

Effects supervisors Dale Mayeda at Disney points out that "As far as effects animation, it’s definitely a combination of art and science. "In fact, the teams at Disney use math, physics, and computer science to create a simulation of realistic snow in the virtual world. They also design the snow to achieve beautiful compositions. The goal is to present realistic snow with a sense of elegance.

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Picture References:

1. https://www.google.com/search?q=frozen+in+one+minute&espv=2&biw=1440&bih=755&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0ho7XwenOAhXLMyYKHWjfAMsQ_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=frozen+&imgrc=-g1qLNnIkO_YBM%3A\
2. http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/making-of-disneys-frozen-snow-simulation/

Writing References:

1. Computer graphics - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_graphics

2. Making of Disney’s Frozen Snow Simulation - http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/making-of-disneys-frozen-snow-simulation/
3. Computer Graphics at Walt Disney Animation - https://renderman.pixar.com/view/computer-graphics-at-walt-disney-animation

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If you haven't watched the movie yet, here is a Youtube summary of Frozen in five minutes!