At Cutting Factory, we apply techniques developed for film and broadcast VFX to branded and corporate 3D Animation, bringing the same technical rigour to commercial storytelling. So – what Is Rotoscoping, and why does It matter?
Rotoscoping is a foundational visual effects technique used to isolate elements within a moving image so they can be seamlessly integrated into a final composite. While often invisible to the viewer, it underpins everything from subtle refinements to complex animated sequences. When motion, fine detail, or lighting shifts are involved, the quality of rotoscoping directly affects how believable and polished the final result feels.
Traditionally, this process has required teams of specialists working frame by frame, making it one of the most labour-intensive stages of production. For ambitious animation and VFX work, this has long been a constraint, both creatively and commercially.
Combining AI Efficiency with Artist Control
Recent advances in machine learning allow rotoscoping to be approached in a more intelligent way. By training AI models using a small number of expertly prepared keyframes, artists can extrapolate accurate mattes across entire sequences. Crucially, this happens inside the professional compositing environment, not as a disconnected or fully automated step.
When difficult frames arise—fast movement, occlusion, edge breakup—the artist intervenes, refines the work, and allows those corrections to propagate intelligently. The result is a workflow that is faster and more flexible, but still guided by experience and judgement.
What This Means for Corporate 3D Animation Clients
For organisations commissioning animation or high-end motion work, this kind of technical depth translates into very practical advantages:
- Greater creative ambition without disproportionate cost
- Faster turnaround on complex shots
- Consistent, high-quality results across longer or more detailed sequences
Most importantly, it enables work that sits well beyond the constraints of off-the-shelf corporate video, without introducing unnecessary risk or inefficiency.