CGI facts for kids

CGI is a short way of saying different things. It most often means Computer-Generated Imagery, which is about using computers to create pictures and videos. It can also stand for Common Gateway Interface, which is a way computers on the internet talk to each other.

What is Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI)?

Computer-Generated Imagery, or CGI, is when artists and designers use special computer software to make images, animations, and visual effects. These can be still pictures or moving videos. CGI is a big part of movies, TV shows, video games, and even advertisements. It lets creators make things that would be impossible or too expensive to film in real life.

How is CGI Used in Movies and Games?

CGI helps filmmakers bring amazing worlds and characters to life. For example, dinosaurs in movies like Jurassic Park or superheroes flying through cities are often made with CGI. It can create entire landscapes, creatures, or even crowds of people that aren't real.

In video games, nearly everything you see is CGI. From the characters you play to the environments you explore, it's all built using computer graphics. This allows game designers to create incredibly detailed and interactive virtual worlds.

Early Days of CGI

CGI started becoming popular in movies in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the first big uses was in the movie Tron (1982), which showed many computer-generated scenes. Later, movies like Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Jurassic Park (1993) used CGI in new and exciting ways, making it look much more realistic.

How CGI is Made

Making CGI involves several steps. First, artists create 3D models of objects or characters using special software. Think of it like sculpting with digital clay. Then, they add textures and colors to these models, making them look realistic. After that, they set up lighting to make the scene look natural. Finally, animators make the models move, and special effects artists add things like explosions or magic.

What is Common Gateway Interface (CGI)?

Common Gateway Interface, also known as CGI, is a different kind of technology. It's a standard way for web servers to run programs. When you visit a website and fill out a form, like signing up for an account or searching for something, CGI might be working behind the scenes.

How CGI Works on the Internet

Imagine you are on a website and you click a button to send information. Your web browser sends this information to a web server. The web server then uses CGI to pass your information to a special program. This program processes your request, maybe saves your data, or finds what you searched for. Then, the program sends the results back to the web server, which sends them back to your browser to show you.

CGI was one of the first ways to make websites interactive. Before CGI, most websites just showed static pages that didn't change. CGI allowed websites to respond to what users did, making the internet much more dynamic and useful. While newer technologies are often used today, CGI was very important in the early development of the web.