What does the future
hold for 3D Animators?
Remember when cartoons were made from hundreds and thousands of animated cells , placed over a
static background ? When an animator's job was to just spend hours , hunched over a desk, drawing ?
Lately though, it seems that two-dimension animations have
all but gone extinct. Computers have found a major role in today's animation
world , removing much of the tedious and repetitive drawing from the process.
But is 3D animation here to stay ? What
does this mean for animators ?
It's always a little suspicious when flashy new technologies
are replaced with old practices. Over the past 20 years though, 3D animation
has risen from being flashy and new , to acting as a new standard for
animation.
Why is 3D animation so popular ?
3D animation adds a third dimension to traditional animation
, giving scenes and characters a more realistic and engaging feel. This realism
also makes 3D animation a useful tool for medical instructional videos,
interior designing and military
training. With a mix of fun and extremely useful functions , 3D animation is
here to stay.
We can only expect that , 3D animation technology will continue to
change and develop at a rapid pace. With so much potential, and with so many
industries that could potentially benefit , 3D animation technology will only keep
improving .
Training for 3D
Animators
Training for a job in 3D animation requires a thorough
understanding of several computer programs. Typically , students will become
comfortable using:
Autodesk Maya
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Apple Final Cut Pro
Apple Soundtrack Pro
Through a 3D animation course , a student will learn to use
these programs to model 3D forms using light and shadow effects , to give it a realistic look : create and manipulate images , animate
characters , create realistic special effects , record sound effects like speech and edit the final product.
Is artistic ability
still necessary?
Now that computers have entered the scene , it seems like
animation jobs should be shifting away from artists towards computer scientists
, right? Wrong ! As a matter of fact, artistic ability is as important as ever.
While computers are integral to the 3D animation process
, they still can't do creative work . A
real live person is still needed , to
come up with concepts , imagine landscapes , design characters and then make it
all come to life.
You could even say that artistic ability is more important
than ever . Computers have expanded the realm of what is possible and to take
full advantage of the possibilities which are afforded by technology , 3D animators need to be constantly
stretching boundaries and innovating .
Animation job forecasts
As 3D animation develops and expands , animation jobs appear
in new areas . 3D animators are no longer required to live in southern
California, but rather can take up employment all over the world. 3D animators
work to create movies, television, commercials, video games, online videos and
instructional videos . Animators can work for the government, private sectors and non-profit organizations ; animators can
take an artistic or commercial focus too .
Opportunities for 3D animators are growing, and are unlikely
to slow down any time soon . Rather, talented and passionate animators will
find themselves faced with more
opportunities than ever.
