avar
n.— «Designing cars for computer animation is not designing for the real world, but it has similarities. To orchestrate the motion, Pixar used a shared platform, a system not unlike a real carmaker’s. The film’s cars have a common software “chassis,” a “universal rig” of 100 animation controls known as avars. Suspensions are customized: the 50’s cars are looser and bouncier.» —“Pixar’s ‘Cars’ Got Its Kicks on Route 66″ by Phil Patton New York Times May 21, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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