Welcome to the Scanimate Site - history of computer animation

Welcome to Scanimate Central!
Once upon a time (but not so long ago) making animation with computers was pretty farfetched futuristic wizardry. A few brave souls believed it was the future, and helped start what is today a major industry. This site celebrates the people, places, machines, and projects that came out of that colorful past. I welcome your inquiries, I try to answer them all. Email dave@zfx.com with your questions or comments.

"Dream Machine" DVD2 Available!
A couple of years ago, the overwhelming response to some of the sample movies I had put on this site motivated me to compile the Scanimate DVD-1 featuring some of the video demo reels I have collected over the years.

But the demo reels only show the work. In the second DVD, "The Dream Machine", I've been fortunate enough to interview many of the people whose pioneering work with Scanimates broke ground for what is today a multi-billion dollar industry. I've been able to piece together the stories of people like Lee Harrison, who dreamed of a way to share what the mind's eye sees, and whose company, Computer Image built Scanimate, the first commercially successful electronic animation computers. For more detailed information on the contents of The Dream Machine, or to order your copy today, Click here.

Scanimate Gets a New Lease On Life!
While in production for the new Scanimate DVD-2 I have been giving Scanimate some new capabilities, like a SGI Indy to truly provide "high-rez" artwork, and a CCD pickup camera. Click here for details!

Copies of Scanimate DVD-1 are still available!
People all over the world are talking about the first Scanimate DVD! Over two hours of classic '70's and '80's electronic animation produced by the "Dream Machine" and the companies that used Scanimate computers to pioneer the animated graphics we've all come to know and love on television and films. Get your copy while they last!
Click here for details!

New! Special Pricing if you order Both DVD1 and DVD2

	The History of Analog Computer Animation - from the SIGGRAPH 98 History Project. by David Sieg.
	Streaming RealVideo of Image West's award winning Demo #15b, circa 1979. Begins with footage of Scanimate in action, includes excerpts from Scanimate's scenes in Star Wars, Demon Seed, Sargent Pepper, Michael Jackson's "Boogie", and many more! 15 minutes. Requires RealPlayer G2. (Appears in full on DVD-1)
	Denver's Channel 9 features "The Animated Computer". Reporter Mike Landis visits Computer Image in the mid-eighties, shows the company's history and background, and interviews Lee Harrison III.(Appears in full on DVD-1)
	Ed Tacjhman, former head of engineering at Computer Image sent me an amazing package of material, including early videos from Scanimate, Animac, CAESAR, and other goodies.
	Marilou Harrison and her son Paul have sent me some excellent photographs of Lee Harrison (Scanimate's inventor), Scanimates around the world, and Animac, (Scanimate's precursor).
	How Analog Animation Was Produced. Step-by-step description of how artwork was prepared, how waveforms were controlled, with a pictorial tour of Scanimate's components.
	Over the years, a surprising number of people have been involved with Scanimate or one of the early computer animation companies. Some of the Alumni of Scanimate history are listed here.
	Dave Holman was so taken with this page he sent his memoirs. They were so good, I gave him his own section!
	Scanimate Alumni Guestbook. Yes, it really was that hard, yes, it really was that much fun!
	A collection of thumbnail Images from many past projects. Click the thumbnail for a larger image.
	Sample MPEG Movies from my archives. (Most appear in full resolution on the Scanimate DVD-1).
	Some odd little tidbits. Yes, we were and still are an odd bunch!
	Stay "in the Loop"! Add your email address to the Scanimate Mailing List! I promise not to SPAM you!

Notes From Dave Sieg:

OK, So What is a Scanimate? The Scanimate is an analog computer system that was built by the Computer Image Corporation of Denver, Colorado in the late sixites and early seventies. In all only eight machines were ever produced. It was used on many famous jobs over the years, and many of the people that were involved with its development, operation, and care and feeding have gone on to do significant things in a variety of places all over the world. I first became involved with Scanimates in 1979 when I was a maintenance engineer at Image West, in Hollywood, California. I now own and maintain the last working Scanimate system, that I am aware of, a dubious honor that has brought me into contact with many of the people whose lives have been touched by these machines.

This site represents the efforts of many individuals over many years. I am only trying to preserve a little piece of history, not take credit for it! Please help support this effort by buying the Scanimate DVD's. That is the only way I have to pay for this work. Your generous comments and support are greatly appreciated!

Note: Due to SPAM-Bots, I have had to remove the guestbook addition feature. Old entries are still shown, but you can post new entries on My Blog.

Enjoy your visit!

Dave Sieg