From Pencils To Pixels – A Quick Guide Choosing A 2D Animation Program

Even though it may seem like there are more and more CG animation movies every year, there seems to be a dwindling number of 2d animated movies, adverts or short films out there. Even the Disney Studio, where it all started, has said they won’t be producing drawn animation for the foreseeable future.

Thankfully it is still going strong in Japan among the Anime community, and a growing number of independent filmmakers and artists are rediscovering traditional animation techniques as a wonderfully expressive and fantastically accessible medium.

Add to this the fact that the digital revolution has meant that you no longer need expensive, heavy equipment, and anyone can now produce animation from their bedroom using just a tablet or laptop, and upload it to the web in seconds.

However, before you rush out and grab the first piece of animation software available, there are a few things you need to think about if you want to find the right one for you. Here’s my top 5 suggestions.

Free or paid?

First of all, the important question to ask yourself is your budget. Are you willing to spend some money, and if so, how much? An animation program can cost anywhere from nothing up to a couple of thousand dollars. While there are a couple of decent free programs out there, I believe a reasonably priced paid package delivers the most features and support.

Professional or beginner?

Have you ever animated before or are you a complete beginner? Are you looking to animate professionally or just dabble a bit in your spare time? Answering this question will help determine not only your budget but also the learning curve you’ll be able or willing to tolerate when using a software, as some are more complicated than others depending on your skill level.

Age level?

Related to experience level is your age. Are you an adult looking for a piece of animation software for yourself or a parent looking to get your child involved in some cartooning? Some animation programs are specifically designed for children and teenagers so the interface is a lot “friendlier” and has an easier learning curve.

Frame-by-frame or Flash-style?

What kind of animation are you thinking of doing? Do you prefer traditional frame-by-frame drawn animation like the old Disney movies, or are you more interested in the stylized Flash-style animation found on the web and cartoons like South Park and Peppa Pig? No 2d software is the same and many are designed with a specific style in mind, or in some cases will give you the option of doing either.

External equipment?

Partly related to the style of animation you’re looking to do is the question of whether you have or will be buying any external equipment or purely looking to do it all digitally. Some animators like to work initially on paper with a lightbox in the traditional style and then scan and colour their drawings in the software program. Others prefer to draw directly in the software itself and will often do so using a tablet and pen.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on From Pencils To Pixels – A Quick Guide Choosing A 2D Animation Program

Animator Reveals Complete Process of 2D Animation

The complete process of animating cartoon characters for a feature film, or just a quick 2D animation for YouTube is a process that, depending on the project, needs a lot of time and effort. A 5 min animation can take from 1 day to 2 months. Really? How do I know if my project is going to be 1 day long or 2 months long? Well, you have to answer, how good do you want your cartoon animation to look? Simple = 1 day, Amazing = 2 months.

When it comes to selecting, cash back is one of the most attractive ones. The biggest reason behind that is its incredible flexibility. Instead of being limited to travel redemptions or merchandise purchases, you’ll have the option to use your cash however you would like. The best cash back credit card for you depends on your spending behavior and earning preferences.

Either one needs to go through the complete process.

1. Conception

2. Audio

3. Visualization

4. Preparation

5. Animation

CONCEPTION

It all starts with an idea. An idea turned into a script that can later be transformed into cartoon characters affecting each other in a 2D animation story. That idea is visualized in the head of the producer or director (usually the same person in NO BUDGET projects) who then decides what style is the project going to have.

The style can be cut out characters like Cartoon Network, more Classical like Disney, or maybe you want Anime style. Then you have to design the main characters and decide what best suits your project. How are your cartoon characters going to look like? How do they look from behind? Front? Above? below? How do they look in different poses?

After that, according to the budget and the style, the producer decides the software where all the animation is going to take place. If the style needs a cut out feeling, with lots of 3D and traveling cameras, maybe After Effects or Flash will be the choice, or if the series are more classical, or anime, in which cut out is not what is wanted, but a more organic look, like anime or Disney, then Toon Boom or Anime Studio can be the choice.

AUDIO

Then you bring in the voice actors to record all the dialogs, and, basically produce your story for a radio show, in which you listen to steps and sound effects. This will give the animators the correct timing to perform actions with their cartoon characters in an organic way.

VISUALIZATION

After all the necessary decisions are made, then it’s time to visualize the cartoon animation story into a series of drawings. Storyboard. In there the animator and director put their knowledge of cinematography in practice, they decide the shots and from where the cartoon characters are best depicted for what moment of the story.

Then after the storyboard is complete, then you make an animatic of the storyboard, in which you put together the storyboard and the audio together with correct timings and then, you take important decisions like, maybe change a few lines, or see the character from another angle and so on, remember, the most important thing about your 2D animation story is to make people feel something. So these decisions are KEY.

PREPARATION

After that important milestone you begin preparations. In a big studio, one team handles the cartoon character rigging and the other draws the different backgrounds and sets for the story. But in a very low-budget project, it’s usually the same person who does the character rigging and sets.

ANIMATION

Finally, after all of that, which is almost 70% of the work, comes the fun part. The animation. In which you bring the story to life, you make your cartoon characters be affected by each other, they get mad, they cry, they laugh, they fall in love, whatever your story is about, this is where you breathe life into it.

In this step, all the hard work pays back. And, of course, when the project is low-budget (less than $10,000 bucks) or even NO BUDGET, the writer, producer, director, storyboard artist, character designer, background artist and animator, is a team that consists of 3 people, or sometimes it’s the same person, one author. But even then, when your cartoon animation has your heart in it, the hard work is worth it.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on Animator Reveals Complete Process of 2D Animation

Benefits of 2D Animation

Since the 1990s, 3D animation has enjoyed an explosion in popularity. Nowadays, major motion pictures around the world use its techniques to create lifelike images that allow the viewer to feel as if they are part of the animated world being depicted on the screen. Despite the advantages and popularity of 3D animation, however, traditional animation in the form of 2D animation and elsewhere is still playing a central role in the world of animation. Since its advent in the early 1900s, it has provided a slew of benefits to animated projects. Following are just a few of the many advantages that 2D animation provides.

Efficiency

One benefit of 2D animation is the efficiency with which it can be produced. Animation by its very nature is never a simple process. As an art form, it requires a great deal of skill and creativity to produce objects, characters, and worlds that appeal to the target audiences and that accurately convey stories and messages. In addition, the numerous techniques and styles that have developed throughout the past century provide an array of tools from which the animator can choose.

However, while 2D animation demands as much skill as does 3D animation, it is generally faster to create simply because it does not require a third dimension. 2D animation companies do not need to create lifelike images the way that 3D animators do. Their cityscapes, for instance, do not need to consist of buildings with details that make them look like real buildings. This faster design can be beneficial to those who need a project completed in a timely manner.

Simplicity

A second benefit of 2D animation is the fact that its designs tend to be less complex than those provided by 3D animation. How beneficial a simpler design is depends upon the project. For instance, action films usually benefit from 3D animation because of the detailed action and complex images they use to draw the viewer in.

However, when the design needs to highlight the message, the services of a 2D animation studio are usually preferable. For instance, a clean design is often more effective in advertising, because it more clearly conveys the advertiser’s message to the viewer. Certain games, such as Candy Crush, also depend upon a simpler design to appeal to their audiences. Some television shows, such as South Park, have built their success on a 2D animated design. Even some educational applications or explainer videos require a design that will not distract the viewers from the message that the project is trying to convey.

Cost effectiveness

The efficiency and simplicity of 2D animation lead to greater cost effectiveness, another boon to people who want the benefits of animation but who cannot afford the sometime steep price tag that accompanies 3D animation. The fact that this type of animation takes less time and is less complex means that it can be accomplished with fewer resources, savings that often translate into a smaller price tag. In fact, many projects utilize 2D instead of 3D animation at least in part because it is more cost effective for tight budgets and small companies. Any provider of 2D animation should be able to work with your budget to create a project that meets not only your creative needs but also your financial constraints.

Artistic freedom

Each type of animation brings with it numerous creative possibilities. However, 3D animation must always appear lifelike and realistic, no matter what scene, objects, or people it is depicting. As a result, the fanciful and exaggerated generally do not translate well to the 3D screen, and styles such as anime are more difficult to create through the use of 3D tools.

2D animation, on the other hand, makes entirely new worlds possible. For instance, through traditional animation, the animator can create people, animated cartoons, and more that do not exist in real life. As a result, anyone needing an animated project can use 2D animation to more easily create images and worlds that would otherwise be very hard to film and/or create using 3D tools. This aspect of 2D animation also lends itself well to creating projects targeted to specific audiences. Not only can the animator use their imaginations to create characters and worlds that are not lifelike or realistic, but, by doing so, they can engage in character design and other practices that result in projects tailored to the sensibilities of specific audiences.

Because of the artistic freedom that 2D animation provides, this type of animation requires a high level of talent that makes the animator as skilled as anyone working on a 3D project. The animator must use their creativity and knowledge of the art form to develop characters and worlds that meet the needs of the project, instead of focusing simply on creating as lifelike images as possible. From concept design to character design to storyboards, they must utilize their expertise to create exactly the type of project being envisioned and the goals that are in place for the project.

Choosing 2D animation for your animated project does not mean that you are limiting your choices. Instead, its efficiency, simplicity, cost effectiveness, and the artistic freedom that allows the animator to bring your idea to life provide you with advantages that in many cases make it a better choice than 3D animation for successfully completing your animated project.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on Benefits of 2D Animation

3D Animation Videos

The definition of 3D animation is, “Animating objects that appear in a three-dimensional space. They can be rotated and moved like real objects. 3D animation is at the heart of games and virtual reality, but it may also be used in presentation graphics to add flair to the visuals.” How did 3D animation come to be?

William Fetter, an American computer graphics art director, is often attributed to being the founder and creator of 3D animation. In 1960, while working for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita Kansas, he coined the term “computer graphics” after creating the first computer model of the human body. This first 3D model is known as “The Boeing Man.” Fetter was the Supervisor of Advanced Design Graphics at Boeing Aircraft. He and his team explored new techniques, using computer graphics, to assist in the design of airplanes.

Being that 3D animation was founded on the grounds of an engineering company, it makes sense that much of the 3D videos that are created are for the engineering industry. 3D animation can show the inner workings of machine or what has not yet been built, the exact thing William Fetter and his team were working on when 3D animation was created.

Besides engineering, there are many other industries that use 3D animation visualizations. Such as, medical, architectural and retail. In the retail industry, many products are hard or confusing to describe, so companies use 3D modeling to explain the functions of the product. This can be extremely helpful for things that cannot be photographed. Such as, microscopic elements or multiple dimensions and angles.

Anything you can imagine, an animator can create. Other industries that commonly use 3D animation include mining, gaming and construction. Fluid simulations are one 3D animation technique that can be used in the previously mentioned industries and many more. 3D fluid simulations can show how the lubrication of a piston aircraft works, or blood flowing through veins or water flowing through the pipes of a building that hasn’t been built yet.

3D animation is a great way to bring to life a product or design that is still on the drawing board. It is also great to use for something that is difficult to explain verbally. 3D animation can make things visible that are normally invisible or hard to understand. Although there are a few industries who commonly use 3D animation, it is now used for much more. 3D animation can be used to describe or show the details of any product, service or function.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on 3D Animation Videos

How an Animator Can Bring Your Characters to Life

One of the central features of any animated production is the character that populates it. You provide the vision for those characters. A skilled animation company sharpens that vision and brings it to life. There are many ways in which the animator develops characters perfectly suited for whatever type of project you need, from advertising animation to educational animation and more. The following are just a few of the valuable contributions the 2D animation studio can make to character design.

Target The Desired Audience

The exact look and feel of any animated project depends in large part upon the audience for which it is intended. For instance, an educational program geared toward children would use bold patterns and bright colors, whereas an animated explainer video for business executives would use more restrained design elements. The studio you choose to provide animation for your project will enhance its effectiveness by creating characters that are appropriate for the audience you wish to reach.

Animation studios will help you define the correct style for your audience right from the start by also providing you with concept design services. These services formulate vague ideas into a specific overall style. A skilled team of animators can walk you through the development of your concept and then create unique characters that fit both your vision and the audience who will be enjoying the finished product.

Visually Depict Personality

Each character in your animated project will have a distinct personality. This personality is one of the traits that will set them apart from the animated characters already out there. Through concept design and character design, your animation partner will work with you to determine the personality that each character possesses. Developing this personality may involve creating a back-story to give them history and depth. The animator will then use this background to inform their understanding and development of the character.

The animator will use their skills to take the traits that were fleshed out earlier in the process and visually depict them in the character’s body shape, facial expressions, and movements. For instance, the animator will use lines to create a body for the character that reveals their personality. Soft lines may denote gentleness, while sharp corners may reveal stronger or negative aspects of the character’s personality. Animator Moritz Schneider, for instance, explains that he used sharp edges on one of his characters to depict that character’s hidden strength and integrity. These sometimes subtle design elements convey to the viewer aspects of the character’s personality that may not be explicitly articulated in the dialogue or actions and give him or her added depth and intrigue.

In addition, the animator will use design elements such as accessories and colors to reveal a character’s thoughts, feelings, and preferences. These elements can become integral parts of the character. For instance, the yellow complexion of the Simpsons has become their trademark look, one of the reasons they first captured viewers’ attention. Reds and blues can convey a sense that the character has something in common with comic book heroes, while dark colors will give viewers the impression that the character has some less than pleasant aspects to his or her personality. Accessories can give viewers a glimpse into the character’s circumstances (such as whether they are rich, stylish, plain, or simple).

Finally, 2D animation companies can add other design features, such as facial expressions, to give the viewer visual clues to the character’s personality. At times, they will exaggerate these features to emphasize certain aspects of the character’s personality, or swerve away from strict realism to create cartoon characters that will have greater appeal to the sensibilities of the target audience. Regardless of the specific techniques they use, however, animators will all strive to produce characters that fit comfortably into the purpose and overall feeling of the project.

Create An Environment To Complement The Character Design

Finally, traditional animation studios can bring your characters to life by creating environments that complement or further reveal their personalities. For instance, an animator may choose to reflect the conflict a character is facing by inserting elements into the surrounding environment that visually clash with the character. Alternatively, the animator may choose to insert small details into certain scenes (such as background objects or colors) that match the proportions or interests of the character. A good animator will understand how the environment interacts with the characters being created so that all the elements of a project fit together convincingly. In fact, a skilled animator will be intentional about nearly every detail they add into a scene, so that the entire project comes together as a realistic and cohesive work of art.

Character design is essential to the animation process, because the characters’ personalities, appearances, and actions have the ability to affect the success of the entire project. Viewers will relate to or be turned off by their experience with those characters. As a result, the animator will work carefully to choose the colors, shapes, styles, and environmental details around the character to create a personality and role within the project that will satisfy your vision and appeal to your audiences. A skilled animator can help you not only flesh out your vision for the characters populating your project but also build them and the world around them into a form that will charm, enchant, instruct, and motivate the audiences you wish to reach.

Powerhouse Animation is a traditional 2D animation studio based in Austin, Texas with offices in Burbank, California. Since 2001, Powerhouse has been bringing ideas to life through animation, illustration, and motion graphics.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on How an Animator Can Bring Your Characters to Life

Benefits of Using 2D Animated Video for Business Promotion

Promotion is a very important activity in any business as it brings awareness to a large number of people within a short span of time. There are many ways to do this and what matters the most is the way it is performed. It is essential to do it right or the business objectives will not be met. Doing it right attracts the attention of potential customers and increases sales. 2D animated videos are effective when there is a need to grab instant attention. Live action is common and is prone to miss the attention. On the other hand, 2D animated videos are different and would easily catch the eyes when character animation is properly done. When made as a short movie, it becomes even more interesting.

What are 2D Animations?

2D Animation is about creating two-dimensional digital images using software. Its most common application is a production of cartoon episodes. Its implication is gradually reaching to marketing technologies as a creation of 2D animated videos is considered as an effective way of conveying specific message to a target audience. What makes it more popular among others is its simplicity and affordability desirable by business owners. Any business can easily and quickly represent their idea in the form of moving images using 2D animated videos.

Where does it work?

A business involved in manufacturing or marketing products consumed by kids or young people should consider using 2D animated videos to create awareness. For, this age group likes watching animated graphics and find them interesting and engaging. When done appropriately, they deliver the message more effectively than any other means. If it is interesting, it can become the topic of discussion among groups of people, making it popular among those people who did not watch it.

What are the Benefits?

• 2D animated videos are an excellent way to exhibit a business ideology, products or services as well as brand image. 2D animation marketing can be implemented easily to reach the potential customers.
• 2D animation services work effectively by conducting marketing campaigns such as internet marketing, television advertisements, email campaigns and web links.
• 2D animated videos create a dynamic influence the target audience and help better in selling the products and services.
• The animation not only creates awareness about the brand, product and services but also remains in the minds of customers so as to attract new customers.
• Animation is effective in creating curiosity among audience and result in more information seeking than any other way.
• When a product is introduced in a lively, animated manner, it attracts the attention and there are chances that the audience recommends the product to others, hence creating a brand identity.
• Animated video can explore the full potential of a business to explain the product or service than what traditional advertisement modes can do.
• The audio-visual representation of the product information makes it easy for the audience to grasp and remember, leading to better sales.

A 2D animated video is an affordable, simple yet effective way to represent the ideas, imagination and information about a business into images and videos to offer creative solutions for effective marketing and thus, profit making.

Home Road Films is a video production company based in New Delhi. They offer a multitude of services related to films like Explainer videos, Training Videos, Corporate films, Graphic Identities, Product Videos, Motion Advertisement, etc.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on Benefits of Using 2D Animated Video for Business Promotion

Learning 3d Animation and Modeling

Throughout history different devices had been in use to create the illusion of motion or animation. Zoetrope a wheel like device with picture on it was invented in China in 180 A.D. Phenakistoscope, Flip books and then cameras began to show moving pictures. With invention of computer, computers begin to be used for animation.

Hummingbird (1967) a ten minute film was considered as the first computer generated animation film. From then on computers begin to be used for creating 2d and 3d animation. Toy Story (1995) was first feature length 3d animation movie. Then rest is the history with block buster movies such as Avatar, Shrek, Up etc grossing heavily at box offices. 3d Computer Generated Imagery or CGI is now being heavily used in not only Hollywood but throughout the world.

I began my journey of learning animation and modeling. For your convenience I have enumerated my journey.

1. I got a trial version of the 3d animation software and began tinkering. In the beginning I did not know even a bit about this software. I and my brother keep fiddling with buttons in the interface. Through this trial and error we would discover new things each day.

2. Then when we got some basic knowledge of the software and we began making things given in the help menu. Slowly and gradually our skills were getting polished.

3. Almost 1 to 2 years passed in this tinkering. My brother realized he could not go further so he gave up but I kept trying, learning one thing after another. I downloaded learning material and tutorials from the internet.

4. After when I got enough experience I begin to spread the word about animation (at that time no one knew about 3d animation). I showed them my work and they were impressed.

5. People begin to contact me for making modeling and animation. At the same time I began teaching animation. This journey took me almost 9 years.

The journey had not been easy. I face several problems. When my siblings and friends enjoyed watching TV, movies and hanging out, I would sit next to the computer watching video tutorials. Art and all its form require passion and dedication. Without passion you can learn to draw lines and circles but you cannot breathe life into your artwork. Creativity cannot be achieved pain. This journey has been a labor of love for me.

Now I have got decent portfolio. I hope to break into the professional industry in the professional way soon, God willing. That is my story of learning animation at my own. As someone said, God helps those who help themselves. If you have passion, then decide wholeheartedly once to learn this unique art of storytelling. Lucrative business is waiting for you with endless opportunities; the only condition is that you must have Passion.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on Learning 3d Animation and Modeling

5 Reasons Why Product Design Requires 3D Modeling

Product designing is an integral phase of any industry. In this phase, designers get to represent their spectacular ideas to the prospective clients and manufacturers. Helping designers in this phase is state-of-the-art method popularly known as 3D modeling. Thanks to the proliferation of animation industry, designers now have multifunctional tools at their disposal that help them to present their designs in a vivid way. Showcasing your products in 3D forms can turn out to be absolutely stunning.

However, if this reason is not good enough for you, then here are five strong reasons that clarify why product designing is in dire need of 3D modeling.

#1 Create Rapid Prototypes

Creating rapid prototypes of products becomes easy with 3D modeling. Often 3D models prove to be beneficial to evaluate certain crucial factors including product details, its manufacturing costs, and designing concept. 3D models of product prototypes can be created either from a handmade drawing or even from a 2D sketch. However, leverage of 3D modeling lies in its ability in allowing designers to create and refine their designs without much hassle.

#2 Get 360-Degree View

The convenience of demonstrating a model from different angles is a huge leverage for designers. This is another perk of 3D modeling. Viewing the product from different angles not only allows people to notice the smallest details but also gives them a fair idea about its production and packaging. The three dimensional 360-degree view turns out to be pretty useful in all stages of production. Users can zoom in on the product and can get better visual expressions of the same; an advantage clearly not found in 2D sketches.

#3 Gripping Animation

A well-animated product will not only ensure success for your marketing campaign but will also help to give your customers a clear-cut idea about its working. Attention-grabbing animation can actually help you to go a long way and with 3D modeling, you can get to show your clients how your product functions.

#4 Perfect Marketing Material

3D models act as perfect marketing materials. Since they are photo-realistic, they can be easily fitted into presentations and commercials. Effective promotion of products can help companies to gain credibility from their customers and with production-ready models that would come easy. Most real-estate companies have already taken advantage of 3D content for promoting their sales.

#5 Precise Specifications

With the help of modern 3D modeling software, designers can now demonstrate the size, shape and other specifications in context to the real product. This almost real scaling of the products allows companies to give nearly-perfect overview of how the finished goods will be to the prospective customers.

Summing Up
3D Product Modeling and rendering has already turned out to be excellent tools for showcasing products and their designs. But, to design products with perfection would require skills and of course, hands-on experience. Hence, it is better to go for pros of the industry and hire services of a renowned animation studio.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on 5 Reasons Why Product Design Requires 3D Modeling

Four Ways Storyboards Facilitate the Animation Process

No animated production can be completed successfully without the use of storyboards. A staple of animation, they have existed since the early 1930s, when Walt Disney implemented them during the development of its films. Since then, they have become an indispensable tool in virtually every animation company, because they enable animation creators to visualize a storyline, determine the sequence of events, choose production details, and save time and money. Following are just a few of the ways in which storyboards and animatics contribute to the success of any animation production.

Storyboards facilitate brainstorming and creativity.

Storyboards are a series of sketches that outline each of the scenes in an animated project. They include information such as which characters and objects populate the scene, which camera angles are being used, what movement is occurring, what dialogue is being spoken, and whatever other material may be useful. Animatics are storyboards to which have been added pieces of animation, movement, and sound to further indicate how the final product will look.

Because storyboards present the details of each scene visually, they are an especially valuable tool for facilitating brainstorming and encouraging creativity. As animators view the project coming to life through the storyboards, they can more easily identify ways to improve the development of the storyline and the scenes.

For instance, storyboards allow animators to move scenes around to experiment with different sequences. Flashbacks are often the result of such experimentation in an animated production or motion picture. In addition, they allow animators to test different iterations of the animation before large commitments of time and money must be made to producing the finished project. As a result, storyboards give the 2D animation studio the freedom to change how the scenes develop and to try out different ideas. This freedom results in a higher-quality and more carefully crafted animation than would otherwise have been possible.

Storyboards save time and money.

While storyboards foster creativity, they also serve a very practical purpose for 2D animation companies and their clients in that they save significant amounts of time and money. Initially, it may seem as if creating storyboards consumes resources, because they must be created with time and talent that could otherwise have been spent producing the final product. However, there are a number of reasons that storyboards are a financially prudent step.

One of these reasons is that storyboards allow animators to identify mistakes and problems before the project goes to production. These errors are simple to fix on a storyboard, because they require nothing more than a quick re-sketching or repositioning of the scene in question. In the middle of production, however, they would be much more costly and time-consuming to repair, because they would require steps such as re-animating an entire scene.

In addition, storyboards save time and money because they allow the animators to determine exactly how each scene will be shot before production begins. This allows the company to save money by determining which shots are most cost effective. Storyboards also save producers from time-consuming tweaking, adjusting, and re-animating during the production phase of the project.

Storyboards guide production.

As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons that storyboards and animatics production in CA and elsewhere save time and money is because they allow the animators to determine exactly how each scene will unfold. The details encompassed by the storyboards include production details such as camera angles and distances. In fact, storyboards and animatics are often utilized to determine which shots will be most effective during the production process.

As a result, by the time the storyboard is finalized, the production process has become much simpler as well. Camera angles and distances, character movements, timelines, and more are clearly laid out on the boards. All that is left is for the producers to implement the scenes as they are described by the sketches in the storyboard. When producers have such a detailed and carefully developed plan for their film or animated cartoons, it becomes much faster and easier for them to create the final project.

In addition, as mentioned earlier, storyboards help to reduce the number of changes that are necessary during the production phase of the animation. As a result, production can move much more quickly because it does not get held up by frequent changes and corrections. The detailed guidance and the improved speed which storyboards lend to the production process make them an indispensable step for anyone who wants to animate a project with speed and economy.

Storyboards provide a way to describe the animation to others.

Finally, storyboards are a valuable addition to any animated production, because they provide a way to describe the animation to others. Often, a project must be described to investors or other interested parties. Vague ideas cannot produce the kind of compelling presentation that will allow a project to receive funding or approval. However, concept design, character design, and carefully crafted storyboards and animatics can take an idea and visualize it in such a way that it is suitable for presentation.

Animation is an exciting, beautiful, and powerful art form that often looks as if its has been effortlessly put together. However, this beauty and power is the result of hard work and careful planning. Part of this planning process is storyboarding. By creating storyboards for your project, an animation studio can help you facilitate brainstorming and creativity, save time and money, guide production, and help others to understand your vision in order to create an excellent animated piece.

Powerhouse Animation is a traditional 2D animation studio based in Austin, Texas with offices in Burbank, California. Since 2001, Powerhouse has been making ideas come to life through animation, illustration, and motion graphics. With a staff of 35 in-house artists, animators, videographers and designers, Powerhouse works on a wide variety of projects and has created animation for companies including Disney, Sony, Marvel, DC, Old Spice, Miramax, the USO and more.


Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on Four Ways Storyboards Facilitate the Animation Process

How 3D Animation Video Helps in Improving the Animation World

Animation magic has ushered in a revolution of sorts in the world of advertising, marketing, promotion, media and entertainment. This seamless technology has induced life into visuals, creating a canvas that is both engaging and entertaining. The world over, animation continues to fire imaginations.

The technology has been evolving over time with newer developments enabling superior control and rendering of frames and visuals getting more life-like. There has been a significant improvement in 3D animation also. Though most of us discern these developments through the latest games and movies, other areas from aircraft design to weather forecasting are reaping the benefits from integrating 3D animation with virtual reality and simulation techniques.

Introduction of 3D Animation

To put simply, 3D animation is the three-dimensional representation of various elements. The technology allows an element to be modeled with such finesses it resembles a real physical object. A filmmaker can use the same camera angles on the rendered graphic as they would have in real life – front, back, sides, above, below, i.e. from every angle. They can also use different lighting environments to highlight unique textures and supplement the visuals with additional data to create realistic frames for use in longer films. The beauty of 3D is that the visuals can mesh seamlessly with live video streaming.

Benefits of 3D Animation

• 3D animated videos provide spatial awareness and give a sense of reality.
• Great way of conceptualizing ideas that are yet to take a realistic form.
• Helps in creating visually appealing and pleasant elements
• Easier to communicate about things and their interrelationships with the world as intended.
• Can reproduce events that are difficult to show or expensive to recreate in a real world environment.
• Unlimited possibilities to show things that cannot be depicted through photographs or 2D animation.

Scope of 3D Animation

The highly accessible and versatile technology has a wide range of users from individuals and small businesses to large conglomerates and institutions. The technology is crucial for long-term planning as its versatility allows people to preview a realistic rendering of how the elements being discussed will perform in real life situations. From providing a spatial rendering of an impending cyclone to the efficiencies that can be generated from a new engine, the technology can be used for various applications.

Sectors Where 3D Animation Technology Can Be Used

There are various sectors and industries where the technology can make a difference. It can be used for advertising, marketing, corporate films, cartoons, gaming, educational programs, in the entertainment industry and for the media sector. Corporates can explain the benefits of a product from concept to installation. The software industry can use it to show how a technology can work both at the front and back end. The construction sector can create animated videos on buildings, floor plans and other civil infrastructure to show how a concept will look once executed. People can also use 3D technology for effective education and training programs, customer presentations and in websites. Specific industries such as advertising, mining and gaming regularly use this technology for internal operations and external customer engagement.

This versatile communication medium can produce outstanding results in short span of time. Using creative storyboard blended with innovative imagery,we can create a whole new world that is close to reality. The technology is expected to soon become an integral part of the corporate world and create new frontiers for end user engagement.

Home Road Films is a video production company based in New Delhi. They offer a multitude of services related to films like Explainer videos, Training Videos, Corporate films, Graphic Identities, Product Videos, Motion Advertisement, etc.

Posted in Artworks | Comments Off on How 3D Animation Video Helps in Improving the Animation World