How to Make 3d or Computer Animation

Are you interested in making computer generated animation but don’t know where to start? There are many aspects in learning how to produce 3d animation. This article will guide you to make computer animation.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your commitment Your patience

1. Understand that creating computer animation on your own is hard work but the benefits can be very rewarding. You will learn valuable skills that can be used beyond making movies. Computer animations can be used in video games, commercials, software products, business presentations, architecture and engineering, and training instructions. At a minimum, you can learn enough to manage someone else to do the work.

2. Buy a medium or high-end computer. Computer animation is processor intensive. A powerful computer may be the best investment you can make when you are creating computer art. Read the systems requirements of the software you intend to use. The minimum requirements may not be enough. Use the software company’s recommended requirements.

3. (Optional) Consider purchasing multiple computers. When you render computer animation, that is turning the computer graphics into a final visual or animation form, the processing will take over your computer and you cannot interrupt the process. You may not be able to use the computer during the rendering process, which could take a few minutes or a few hours. If you are working with long complex scenes, rendering could take days.

4. Take computer animation classes. Resources for 3d animation schools or courses are below but many colleges and (including community colleges) offer animation classes too. Online classes may be available from the same institution.

5. Experiment with computer animation and modeling software. Look at the resources below. Some software are entirely free and some are free for a limited time or use. You can purchase animation software, which can cost in the hundreds of dollars to several thousands of dollars. There are plenty of free software for you to evaluate. Try as many as you can to see which is easy for you to use. 3d modeling, 3d scenery, and 3d character modeling are some general 3d categories that are described below.

6. Learn 3d modeling. This is the basis for learning 3d animation. 3d modeling is a representation of objects that have length, width, and height/depth on a 2-dimension surface (video display or paper). Without understanding of 3d modeling, you cannot develop 3d animation. The means to create 3d modeling is most efficient with computer software. Anim8or, Wings 3D, and 3dCanvas are a few free software examples.

7. Get educated on 3d character modeling. 3d character modeling typically involves the posing of human figures. Any object that moves on their own power or by external forces can be a character. Examples include animals, machines, and plants. Each of these figures have parts such as limbs that can move. Figures need to be posed in order to animate them. Daz 3d is one free software example.

8. Learn 3d scenery creation. 3d scenery can provide stunning 3d scenery or environments for 3d objects and characters. The environment can be animated but the software is normally used to provide a complex world for a complex moving character. Bryce 5.5 is a free software example.

9. Discover a full integrated 3d animation package. There are powerful software available that provides 3d modeling, character modeling, and scenery all in one package. These programs are complicated to learn and are very expensive. There are no free examples. Autodesk 3ds Max is an example for sale.

10. (Optional). Hire 3d animators after you have become familiar with 3d tools. If you have a film project and you do not want to do the tedious work of generating moving pictures on a computer, you can have an animator do the work. With knowledge of 3d animation, you can negotiate the price of the contract better and you can communicate with the animator effectively.

11. Build your portfolio. Computer animated work is naturally saved in computer files with standard formats. However, the format you should concern yourself in making a portfolio is the DVD format. Create a disk that will automatically play when a potential employer or important reviewer wants to check out your work. It could mean the difference between getting work and having the DVD end up in the trash.

Resources

• Source of 3d animation schools
• Another source of 3d animation schools
• Source of free and commercial 3d software
• Source of free and commercial 3d software

[jaredbangerter]

on 9/28/2009 That sounds really hard and complex, but you explain it step by step so even someone like me could follow it. 5* and rec.