{{Short description|Type of technique used in animation}} {{Distinguish|Advanced Packaging Tool}} {{Unreferenced|date=October 2021}} {{Notability|date=July 2024}} The '''animation photo transfer process''' ('''APT process''') is a photographic transfer system that can photographically transfer lines or solid blocks of colors onto acetate sheets (cels). A similar process is used to make the stencils for silk screen printing. The process relies on UV-sensitive inks that cure when exposed to light and stick to the plastic sheet, while the ink in the non-exposed areas is chemically removed from the sheet.

==Advantages== Compared to the earlier xerography process used by Disney, the lines can be controlled better, and multiple copies can be made quickly. The drawings are photographed on high-contrast sheet film, and these negatives are then exposed onto the cels. A line on an animated character can be in color instead of just black. This is known as self-colored lines. (Xerographic lines were rendered in color too, when colored toners became available.)

==Examples== This process was used on Disney's animated features, such as ''The Fox and the Hound'', ''The Black Cauldron'', ''The Great Mouse Detective'', ''Oliver & Company'', and ''The Little Mermaid''.

==See also== *The Black Cauldron *Timeline of CGI in film and television *Traditional animation

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070315005230/http://en.allexperts.com/q/Animation-3158/APT-process-1.htm ''The APT Process'' on the ''AllExperts'' forum] *[https://patents.google.com/patent/US4569577 ''US Patent Number 4569577'' on ''Google Patent Search'']

Category:Visual effects Category:Animation techniques

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