hannukah harry

i want to learn how to do computer animation and the classes at the local community college don't fit into my schedule. so i was thinking of learning how to animate in flash, but i also know that there's 3d modeling programs like 3dstudio and maya which might be better to learn. this is really just to learn for fun, maybe make animated shorts as a hobby, not a career (although i wouldn't mind it turning into one in time...)

anyways, any recommendations as far as what the best software/environment to learn for computer animation? i'm a beginner, but i pick most things up quickly.

thanks!

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shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

MexicanOnABike

i'll answer your question in the best i can:

1. learn to draw on paper 1st. mostly realism( body, objects, environements, etc)

2. then try to learn some programs. flash can make some good frame by frame animation. stay away from tweens(computer made movements which look like shit-but can be useful in some case.)

3. if you want to make 2d, flash, toonboom or something similar is good. i recommend getting a tablet(wacom makes the best. a 6x8 is a good size)

4. if you want make it 3d, i recommend 3d studio max 8. there is an educational version. but the software is around 1000 for educational to 4000 or more depending on the plugins. if i'm allowed to say this: get the trial version and crack it if it's just to play around with it. for anything commercial, you need to buy a liscence.

5. now you cant just go and animate. you need to learn everything in the software. start with just modeling easy objects and then try to make anything. i go on Maxforums.org for my 3d info. the ppl there are super helpful just dont ask how to make a person(or whatever), ask more stuff like: i'm making a person, this is what i did up to now. i could realy use some help. crit my work plz! and then they'll tell you what to do. if you simply say: tell me how to make ****. they will bash you really fast! hehe

6.once you know how to make the objects, learn to texture, then eventualy light, then render. once you can do nice stills, learn the cameras, and timeline. but i still recommend doing 2d animation 1st to get your movements corect. it's pretty hard to get something good the 1st time.

7. finaly, use google for any more help. for example, plugins or tutorials are there for everyhing. if you're gonna make characters in 3d, i recommend doing the Joan Of Arc Tutorial. it will explain it all in 1 good tutorial.

good luck!

edit: as an alternative, you could get blender. it's a 3d software that is FREE.
just google it plus: it's super small in size(mb).

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3Z3VH

Poser is awesome software for 3-D Modelling and animating.

Here is a link to their guide on how to learn their software, which will in turn, allow you to get creative with it.

hannukah harry

hahahaha... oh wait, you're serious. i can draw, but not realisticly. i'm more of a cartoon type of drawer.

i'll definatly check those out. how would a tablet help me though? (computer art neophyte).

hmm... unless i take a class, i think i'll pass on 3d... at least until i've mastered the art of 2 dimensions.

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okay, i take it back. i'll check that out too. thanks!!!


i'll give that a look too. i'm getting a bit frustrated by the cost of some of these programs. such is life.

thanks guys!

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shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

MexicanOnABike

well there is a trial version of most of these programs. which means it's free for 30days or so. then you'd have to uninstall em and reinstall. for 3dstudiomax, i'd recommend the trial for a month. to learn the software, use the tutorial that comes with it. they're also available on the website of the company. (discreet or autodesk. not sure anymore.)

i never used poser but all i know is that its cheap. most of the stuff you make is allready made for you which sucks if you want to learn.

the tablet is like a pen and paper so when you draw on the computer, instead of using a shitty mouse, you can use a pen. it's really useful. some ppl say a 4x5 is big enough but i prefer the 6x8 wacom graphire4.

and the realistic drawing is because: if you cant reproduce something that allready exists, then how are ppl supose to know if it's your skill that made it or just a fluke? also, for anything in 3d, you'll have to draw(2d) modelsheets before going in 3d. this means for 3d, you need to be able to draw or you'll spend a lot of time guessing where things go.

would you make a house without a blueprint? thats the same. but then again, if it's something that allready exists, you could take picture reference and try to model it in 3d that way. i just prefer drawing my own modelsheets.

good luck with all that man!

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3Z3VH

If you want a really good free 3-D program, you can download Blender. It was basically made from the ground, up by people who do 3-D modelling for a living, who wanted an interface that worked better for them than the other commercial products available.

Sounds great and all, but I found it tougher to use than Lightwave and Poser... though, honestly, that all is really a personal preference type of thing, so it may be perfect for you.

Also, a Wacom Tablet is, IMHO, a necessity for any original computer-based artwork. There is so much you can do with a tablet that is way tougher with a mouse, and other stuff, such as pressure sensitivity on brushes, that is simply impossible on a mouse or trackball. Also, the tablet is much more intuitive to just pick up and use. It feels more natural being able to move your hand to where it belongs on the work surface, than to move your hand and wait for feedback from the cursor on your screen to know you did something right.