Virtual Production Pipelines vs. Traditional Animation Pipelines

Abstract

With the use of real-time gaming engines, LED wall stages, motion capture, and camera tracking, virtual production (VP) has become a significant shift in the global cinema and animation industries. VP enables real-time visualization and quick creative decision-making, in contrast to typical animation pipelines that follow a linear sequence of pre-production, modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering, and compositing. This study compares the advantages, disadvantages, processes, and industrial uses of both pipelines. Traditional animation pipelines are still necessary for fine artistic control, stylistic storytelling, and frame-by-frame accuracy, even while virtual production greatly increases speed, flexibility, and on- set cooperation. The study concludes that, rather than replacing conventional workflows, future production will evolve into a hybrid model combining both VP and traditional processes for optimal creative and technical advantage.