APT process

The APT process is a photographic transfer system that can photographically transfer lines or solid blocks of colours onto acetate sheets (cels). A very similar process is used in 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 are chemically removed from the sheet. Its main advantage is that colouring - normally done via back painting after xerox scanning - can be controlled better and multiple versions made quickly. To put it simply: the drawings are photographed and the negatives then processed onto the cels instead of the typical photography. It also meant that a line on an animated character could be in colour instead of just black (although xerography at this point could be done in colors too); this is known as self-coloured lines.
This process was used on Disney's animated features such as The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid.

Animation camera

An animation camera, a type of rostrum camera, is a movie camera specially adapted for frame-by-frame shooting animation or stop motion. It consists of a camera body with lens and film magazines, a stand that allows the camera to be raised and lowered, and a table, often with both top and underneath lighting. The artwork to be photographed is placed on this table.
Since most animation is now produced digitally, new animation cameras are not widely manufactured. Video cameras and scanners have taken their place.

Examples of animation cameras

A partial list of manufacturers of animation cameras includes:

• Acme Tool and Manufacturing (USA)
• Crass (Germany)
• Neilson-Hordell (UK)
• Oxberry (USA)
• Double M Industries (USA)
• A.I.A. Productions (USA)

An animation camera manufactured by Crass, Berlin, in 1957.