What Animation Software Do I Need To Learn ?

In this golden era of Animation , great individuals for instance  : Walt Disney, Ollie Johnson,              Ub Iwerks and Frank Thomas , all sketched their first animation works , by hand . The technology used , back then , was just drawing on paper , which was fastened onto peg bars , then transferred to flammable celluloid called cells , which were later painted and then filmed with a camera . This technique worked well and the result is  , all these timeless classics . If you want to have an idea of all this , watch The Walt Disney Vault DVD’S . These films are helpful resources and references , in the history of animation , which is definitely recommended , to anyone who aspires to enter the animation world . 

These days , advanced computer software is used to produce both : the classically drawn as well as CG animations . Thanks to technology , this art form created , is enhanced to another level . As a matter of fact , even now , many animators , still draw , by hand using an animation light table with the help of a rotating disc and peg bars . The hand drawn images , are then scanned onto a computer software program . In certain cases , proprietary software , allows the artists to draw directly on the screen . Many use “ Wacom Tablet “ , to draw images , inside the software program than on paper directly . Toonboom Studio , is one such example , of this animation software , used for creating typical 2D ones . If you are passionate about 2D , then Toonboom.com is the only choice, as its cost effective and great too .

Types of Animation

Prospective students ,  may be apprehensive , of what animation software , they need to learn , to get into this industry. The best answer is , to first know the type of animation being used and secondly , to concentrate on your liking ,  in the industry. The list of software are ;

Stop Motion Animation

3D Animation

2D Classic hand drawn animation

Paper Cut Out

Stop Motion Animation , used in “ The Wallace and Grommet “ and  “ David and Goliath “ , series is the most challenging and time consuming , compared to all of these . Animators , work with clay or plastic characters , objects and generally , with hand created sets , all of which , have to be moved manually ( even if you use robotics , in stop motion , it still requires hand intervention ) . Meticulously , the animators , take photographs of each pose , set by hand . At 24FPS ( i. e ) frames per second ) or 30 FPS , we will come to know how tedious this kind of animation is . Individuals who work on film projects , using Stop Motion software , are literally getting “ hands on ” animation training .

3D Animation , also called CG animation , is created solely , with the help of computers . All characters , light effects , cameras and sets are modelled , inside the computer software itself and are altered , animated and then rendered into a complete film . In 1995 ,  “ Toy Story “ , was the very first , feature length , computer animated film , to have hit the big screen . Later , films such as ;  Spirit : Stallion of the Cimarron , was made combining , both 3D and 2D classical animation software programs .

Classical Animation , was used on movies like , “ Pinocchio and Snow White “ , which is the actual original type of animation , to be used . This art form ,contains a lot of history and was made possible in the late 1800’s , with the invention of movie cameras and was later perfected , throughout the 20th century . All animations were hand drawn , then painted and filmed , one frame at a time . Although CG , has taken the movie industry by storm , it hasn’t  made any obsolete , outdated classical animation . Many still prefer , this type of animation , mainly for cartoons , commercials and web graphics . There are other forms too , like : Flash animation , if  you want to get involved with it . Flash , however , is mostly used , for webs .

The types of animation software , a person needs to learn , depends on what form of animation , they are passionate about .

Do you like drawing ?

Do you like working with computers ?

Do you like hands on , as with stop motion?

Types of Animation Software

Animation software is used to create things , such as : TV commercials , films , cartoons , interactive web sites , graphics , video games , etc . While you are reading this , probably there is a question popping up in your mind like , “ What kind of animation software , do I need to learn ? ” . Firstly , wherever you go , ( the kind of school ) , the main focus should be , just learning animation . This is so important that , this idea must be driven into your head . Once , you learn the principles of animation , then it really doesn’t matter , which software you use , henceforth . A person will be in a position to animate , nevertheless . If a student keeps jumping from one animation studio to another, then are there chances , they will learn multiple kinds of software . The various kinds of animation software , available today , are as listed below :

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk 3DS Max

Softimage

Light wave 3D

Animation Master , to name a few....

The undoubted animation software , used for making animated films , is Maya. Maya is a complex but extremely powerful tool . A students learning curve is enhanced with it. Furthermore , most animation schools will teach Maya , on the go. If you are not keen on studying in animation schools and want to do self study , then stay near tutorials for quick guidance . Maya animation software is quite expensive but rather user friendly . It is hugely populated though .

3DS Max , on the other hand , is a simpler animation software , in comparison to Maya . It is highly  recommended for usage , in the gaming industry , although its not restricted only to it . The action film , “ Lost In Space “ , was created entirely with 3DS Max . The interface is user friendly too like Maya and like other software programs , they can be altered to suit each ones’s specific needs and styles . This is also a pricey animation software similar to Maya , but with the course of time , the cost factor , will decrease for sure . Apart from these ,  another animation software , used , by many , for gaming purposes , is Softimage . Below , is a link , which gives you the pricing , for these three products , by Autodesk . http://store.autodesk.com/store/adsk/list/categoryID.55928400

There are a plenty of choices , with many software packages , so don’t fret . You can choose accordingly .  

Light Wave , is one stop 3D solution when it comes to modelling , rendering and animation. The fee structure is feasible for students as it is around $900.00 . Hash’s Animation Master , is also another popular , software program with home users , who are interested in studying on their own . This allows , individuals , to easily model , render and animate like Light Wave . The cost is $300.00. Hash’s Animation Master , is an ideal package , if you are contemplating with the idea of becoming an animator .

To conclude with , a person can get a job in the animation world , by not just having software skills , but the following too :

Good drawing skills

An understanding of the principles of animation

A demo reel that shows good story telling , acting, and body mechanics .

To know , how to use a particular software package , is a good thing , but it’s not the most important thing though . Many animation studios , have their own personalized programs , to cater to each animator’s needs , as to what they will learn , once they get hired. The most important thing , is to learn animation . Computer software and light tables , are mere tools , which aid animators while they are on the animating process. What kind of animation software , do I need to learn , can be best answered like this , “ Whichever ones the schools are using , or as your particular area of interest requires . ”