3D animation is created by using different software programs and tools like Maya, Blender, and 3ds Max to create 3D animation. First, an artist must build 3D models, or “meshes,” which are then rigged with a skeleton or “armature” system. The rigged models can then be manipulated and animated according to the animator’s vision. The animation is then rendered as a sequence of images, typically at 30 frames per second. When the animation is played back in succession it creates the illusion of motion, a virtual three-dimensional environment, or "world." This world can be populated with various 3D objects, including characters, props, and scenery.