24/09/2026
Both annd are used in film but do you know the difference between them?
Well, firstly, CGI is Computer-Generated Imagery and as the name suggests, it refers to anything created or generated entirely by a computer—like the dinosaur in Jurassic Park, Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, or the tiger in RRR. Or, looking at films without any live-action elements—such as Pixar’s Toy Story, Frozen, or Finding Nemo—in those films every single frame is entirely CGI.
However, VFX (Visual Effects) is essentially a process of combination or integration. For instance, in the movie Avatar, CGI characters are blended with live-action elements, or in Avengers Movie, a CGI Hulk is composited with live actors; tasks like compositing, green/blue screen removal, or matte painting all fall under VFX.
And here’s the catch: CGI is actually a subset of VFX. While VFX can exist without CGI—such as doing wire removal or creating doubles—CGI alone wouldn't work in live-action films; it is the VFX that makes it look convincing or real to us.
To put it simply: CGI is the raw digital clay, while VFX is the final sculpting and blending.
By the way, what is your favorite CGI- and VFX-heavy movie? Do let me know in the comments.
