What Happened to Dinosaur Input Device (DID)?

The Dinosaur Input Device (DID) emerged as a critical innovation in visual effects during the early 1990s, born out of a pivotal shift in film production. Initially, Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park was slated to feature dinosaurs animated using Phil Tippett's renowned go-motion stop-motion technique. However, a groundbreaking test by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) showcasing computer-generated (CG) dinosaurs convinced Spielberg to pivot to a fully digital approach for many of the creatures, leaving Tippett's team, skilled in traditional animation, facing an uncertain future.

Determined to retain their expertise in realistic creature movement, Tippett Studio collaborated with ILM and Pixar to develop the DID. This device was essentially a sophisticated, sensor-equipped armature—a physical skeleton resembling a dinosaur puppet—that animators could physically pose. The sensors captured the joint angles and movements, translating them into digital data that could then be applied to a computer-generated model. This ingenious solution allowed traditional animators to leverage their existing skills in a new digital workflow without needing to master complex computer animation software from scratch.

The DID proved instrumental in the success of Jurassic Park, enabling the creation of believable and fluid dinosaur movements that captivated audiences and set new standards for visual effects. Its impact extended beyond Jurassic Park, with versions of the device, sometimes referred to as the Digital Input Device or Direct Input Device, being utilized in other films such as Starship Troopers, Three Wishes, Dragonheart, Tremors 2, and Virus. In 1997, the collaborative team behind the DID—Craig Hayes (Tippett Studio), Brian Knep (ILM), Rick Sayre (Pixar), and Thomas Williams (ILM)—was recognized with a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, underscoring its significance.

While the DID was celebrated for bridging the gap between traditional and digital animation, its effectiveness was not without debate. Some accounts, notably from ILM animator Steve Williams, suggested that the raw data from the DID often required extensive cleanup and re-animation by CG artists due to shakiness, leading to it being jokingly called the "DIDn't." Nevertheless, its conceptual contribution was undeniable, providing a tangible interface for animators to block out performances and inform the digital process. The device's existence highlighted the crucial role of human artistry and traditional animation principles even as technology advanced.

As of July 11, 2026, the original Dinosaur Input Devices are no longer actively used in film production, having been superseded by more advanced motion capture and animation technologies. However, their legacy is enduring. Examples of the DID are preserved and displayed in institutions like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Tippett Studio, serving as tangible artifacts of a pivotal moment in visual effects history. Discussions in 2024, 2025, and 2026 continue to reference the DID as a foundational step in the evolution of motion capture, hybrid animation techniques, and the ongoing dialogue about the integration of practical and digital effects, even in the context of emerging AI in animation. It remains a powerful symbol of innovation born from necessity, demonstrating how traditional skills adapted to and shaped the digital revolution in filmmaking.