Morphing
In animation, morphing refers to a technique where an image or shape is gradually transformed into another. However, morphing is not limited to the transformation of shapes; it can also be applied to textures, colors, and other visual elements. Morphing is commonly used in various visual media, including movies, TV shows, and advertisements. It can aid in storytelling and is used to convey metaphors and symbolism, or as a way to grab an audience's attention.
The first instance of digital morphing in film was in the 1986 movie "The Golden Child." Morphing continued to gain popularity in the 1990s and today is used in numerous applications, from special effects in movies to creating animated transitions in a UI (user interface).
Before computers were used, morphing was carried out utilizing other methods, like dissolving. The dissolve effect is achieved by gradually changing the opacity of the outgoing shot while simultaneously increasing the opacity of the incoming one.
How does it work?
With computers, morphing is accomplished by creating a seamless transition between the keyframes, allowing the viewer to perceive a fluid change. It involves defining corresponding points on the starting and ending images. A computer then calculates the intermediate shapes and colors needed to move smoothly between these keyframes. The result is a visually pleasing transformation that gives the impression of one object or character evolving into another.