CGI - an abbreviation for Computer Generated Imagery, often used in reference to 3D graphics or digital matte paintings, to distinguish them from other types of images or effects elements that could appear in a film.

Note: The term Computer Generated Imagery can be slightly misleading, because it implies that the image was created by a computer, instead of by the artist operating it (after all, you don't refer to music played on a violin as "Violin Generated Music.")  To give more credit to 3D artists, some companies have redefined the acronym CGI to stand for Computer "Graphics" Imagery, although that that redefinition has never become accepted.

CG - an abbreviation for Computer Graphics.

© 2001 by Jeremy Birn for 3DU.