---
title: "Raster animation"
subject: "Computer Graphics"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_5/computer_graphics:raster-animation"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/computer_graphics/raster-animation
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Raster animation

Computer Graphics · Chapter 1: Introduction and Application

- Asked in: 2081 Chaitra (new course), 2 marks
- Video: [Raster Animation with its Example, Advantages ,Disadvantages and Application. | lecture 4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heNwA-dBAbc) — PolyTechGuru
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/computer_graphics/raster-animation
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/computer_graphics/chapter-1

## Question

What is raster animation?

## Short answer

Raster animation creates motion on pixel displays by altering the frame buffer between refreshes. Common methods are moving pixel blocks via bit-block transfer (BitBlt) or changing the color lookup table, e.g. moving a sprite.

## Answer

**Raster animation** is animation produced on a raster (pixel-based) display by changing the contents of the frame buffer between refreshes. Motion is obtained by moving blocks of pixels (e.g. using the bit-block transfer, *BitBlt*, operations) or by changing the colour look-up table (colour table animation), instead of redrawing the whole picture. Example: moving a sprite across a background in a 2D game.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Raster animation is
   A. redrawing all vectors
   B. changing frame buffer contents between refreshes
   C. changing the CRT
   D. using plotters
   Answer: B. Motion by changing pixels. (Key point: Definition)

2. BitBlt is used to
   A. draw lines
   B. fill polygon equations
   C. move blocks of pixels
   D. scan convert circles
   Answer: C. Bit-block transfer moves pixel blocks. (Key point: BitBlt)

3. Colour table animation changes
   A. the resolution
   B. the monitor
   C. the refresh rate
   D. the colour look-up table
   Answer: D. Changing table entries changes displayed colours. (Key point: Colour table)