What device captures images of cels placed over painted backgrounds?

What device captures images of cels placed over painted backgrounds?

• A. Flatbed scanner
• B. Shooting board
• C. Rostrum camera
• D. Digital camera

Answer: (C)

The rostrum camera is specifically designed to capture images of flat artwork, which includes cells placed over painted backgrounds. This device can photograph two-dimensional images like drawings, paintings, or animations while providing a way to control the angle and perspective of the shot. It is particularly useful in the animation industry for digitizing traditional cel animation, where the cel (the transparent sheet painted with the character) is placed over a painted background. In contrast, a flatbed scanner captures images by moving a light source across a stationary surface, and while it is effective for scanning documents and photographs, it would not adequately capture the nuances of a layered animated scene with background and cel in a way that mimics the original appearance. A digital camera can take photographs but may not have the features necessary for precise control over lighting and angles that a rostrum camera offers. A shooting board serves a different function, usually used for planning or organizing live-action sequences and does not specifically capture images in the way a rostrum camera does. Thus, the rostrum camera stands out as the most suitable choice for this task, handling the unique requirements of photographing layered cells and backgrounds effectively.

The rostrum camera is specifically designed to capture images of flat artwork, which includes cells placed over painted backgrounds. This device can photograph two-dimensional images like drawings, paintings, or animations while providing a way to control the angle and perspective of the shot. It is particularly useful in the animation industry for digitizing traditional cel animation, where the cel (the transparent sheet painted with the character) is placed over a painted background.

In contrast, a flatbed scanner captures images by moving a light source across a stationary surface, and while it is effective for scanning documents and photographs, it would not adequately capture the nuances of a layered animated scene with background and cel in a way that mimics the original appearance. A digital camera can take photographs but may not have the features necessary for precise control over lighting and angles that a rostrum camera offers. A shooting board serves a different function, usually used for planning or organizing live-action sequences and does not specifically capture images in the way a rostrum camera does.

Thus, the rostrum camera stands out as the most suitable choice for this task, handling the unique requirements of photographing layered cells and backgrounds effectively.