Which 1989 Disney film was the first animated feature to use the CAPS digital ink-and-paint system?

Disney’s 1989 The Little Mermaid was the first animated feature to use the CAPS digital ink-and-paint system.

CAPS, or the Computer Animation Production System, was developed by Disney and Pixar to replace much of the traditional hand-inking and cel-painting process with digital scanning, coloring, compositing, and camera movement. The Little Mermaid used the system experimentally for selected scenes, making it an important bridge between cel animation and later fully digital workflows.

The system became more prominent on subsequent Disney features, including The Rescuers Down Under, which is widely recognized as the first Disney animated feature produced entirely through CAPS. This distinction is why The Little Mermaid and The Rescuers Down Under are sometimes confused in technology-history discussions.

CAPS helped Disney create layered images, complex camera moves, and more efficient color handling. Its use marked a significant production change during the studio’s Renaissance period.