rotoscoping

[ roh-toh-skoh-ping ]

noun

1. Movies, Graphic Arts. Also called ro·to. an animation technique that traces live-action footage and transforms it into animated sequences by use of a rotoscope, which was largely replaced by digital technology by the end of the 20th century.
2. Digital Technology. a technique of merging live-action footage with digital animation and other graphics to create composite images.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rotoscoping¹

First recorded in 1960–65; roto ( def ) + scop(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ); applied to a technique invented in 1915 by Polish-born U.S. animator and film director Max Fleischer (1883–1972)

Example Sentences

The "Take on Me" video was cutting-edge for 1985, featuring extensive rotoscoping and a blend of live action and animation.

From The Daily Beast