<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Gollum.jpg|250px|thumb|The character [[Gollum]] from ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy was composed entirely of CGI along with the use of [[motion capture]].]] -->
3D computer animation combines 3D modeling poo programmed the movement. Models are constructed out of geometrical vertices, faces, and edges in a true 3D coordinate system. Objects are sculpted much like real clay or plaster, working from general forms to specific details with various sculpting tools. A bone/joint system is set up to deform the 3D mesh (e.g., to make a humanoid model walk). In a process called rigging, the virtual marionette is given various controllers and handles for an animator to manipulate. The character "Woody" in [[Pixar|Pixar's]] movie ''[[Toy Story]]'', for example, uses 700 specialized animation controllers. [[Rhythm and Hues Studios]] labored for two years to create [[Aslan]] in the movie ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]'' which had about 1851 controllers, 742 in just the face alone. In the 2004 film ''[[The Day After Tomorrow]]'', designers had to design forces of extreme weather with the help of video references and accurate meteorological facts.
For the [[King Kong (2005 film)|2005 remake]] of ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'', actor [[Andy Serkis]] was used to help designers pinpoint the gorilla's prime ___location in the shots and used his expressions to model "human" characteristics onto the creature. Serkis also played as [[Gollum]] in [[Peter Jackson]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' trilogy.
