I want to create my own animations. I don't care which method I use (stop motion, 3d, etc.). I can draw or use tech but not proficient enough to create a full sized animation. I'm mostly a writer (I have story ideas involving multiple characters and fully developed plots. I can get friends involved as well but what would be the best software for someone who is creative but lacking in technical skill.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
animation software: which is best for my need
- Thread starter hannielebed
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
depends what you want to do ie stopmotion 3d. why not try open source apps out and see wich you are better at / prefer see:
http://www.blender.org/
http://lives.sourceforge.net/
http://www.cinefx.org/
http://www.gimp.org/
http://www.blender.org/
http://lives.sourceforge.net/
http://www.cinefx.org/
http://www.gimp.org/
hannielebed - you first need to decide on the style of animation you want, you won't get far until you've figured this out.
Do you want:
illustrative, ie comic book, manga/anime, us cartoons (think disney) - yes I know anime/us cartoons are both technically similar but I class them as different due to artistic styles.
3d style, ie pixar and avatar type films,
And there's also the option that combines the two where you use 3d models but then render them in a style that is more illustrated, anime uses this process a fair bit and can be seen in things like appleseed and ghost in the shell.
However this is the bit that worries me the most - " I can draw or use tech but not proficient enough to create a full sized animation." and "someone who is creative but lacking in technical skill."
Animation is not easy and it's very rare that the software available is something you will get to grips with overnight (I've been doing 3D cad, including animation, for around 10 years and I'm still learning new techniques). Even the easiest software can take months to master to a basic degree.
It's a bit like me saying because I can write I can write a story or a novel, realistically I can't as it's a lot more complex than stringing a few lines of words together.
Do you want:
illustrative, ie comic book, manga/anime, us cartoons (think disney) - yes I know anime/us cartoons are both technically similar but I class them as different due to artistic styles.
3d style, ie pixar and avatar type films,
And there's also the option that combines the two where you use 3d models but then render them in a style that is more illustrated, anime uses this process a fair bit and can be seen in things like appleseed and ghost in the shell.
However this is the bit that worries me the most - " I can draw or use tech but not proficient enough to create a full sized animation." and "someone who is creative but lacking in technical skill."
Animation is not easy and it's very rare that the software available is something you will get to grips with overnight (I've been doing 3D cad, including animation, for around 10 years and I'm still learning new techniques). Even the easiest software can take months to master to a basic degree.
It's a bit like me saying because I can write I can write a story or a novel, realistically I can't as it's a lot more complex than stringing a few lines of words together.
What you a talking about are several different types of animation, either way whatever you decide to do will have some sort of a technical aspect attached to it.
If you can draw and use some tech it doesn't mean you can animate well, animation is tricky because it uses both the creative essence but execution relates back to actual developed technical ability. Animation is based upon a few different principles including weights, timing, pause, walk cycles, anticipation, follow through, exaggeration, slow in/out, staging, squash'n'stretch, action to pose and overlapping actions.
Animation especially character animation is hard, but with that said you can do decent animation with ToomBoom or Blender but with understanding of the philosophy of animation and moved IMHO you're setting yourself up for some frustration. I would recommend reading up on the topic before jumping in.
I've been in motion graphics, animation and design for nearly ten years now and I am still learning and refining.
If you can draw and use some tech it doesn't mean you can animate well, animation is tricky because it uses both the creative essence but execution relates back to actual developed technical ability. Animation is based upon a few different principles including weights, timing, pause, walk cycles, anticipation, follow through, exaggeration, slow in/out, staging, squash'n'stretch, action to pose and overlapping actions.
Animation especially character animation is hard, but with that said you can do decent animation with ToomBoom or Blender but with understanding of the philosophy of animation and moved IMHO you're setting yourself up for some frustration. I would recommend reading up on the topic before jumping in.
I've been in motion graphics, animation and design for nearly ten years now and I am still learning and refining.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.