US Life Post » Animation

Differences between 2D and 3D Animation Software and Styles

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:04:24 +0000

by Cody Landon

It seems like computers have been around eternally. You buy a brand new one and then 2 years down the road it seems obsolete and there’s another one more advance and dynamic to take it’s place.

In a way thats exactly what is occurring with animation. Originally, there’s only the 2D animation, which in its time was challenging enough, and in fact still is. Technology stands still for no one so it stands to reason that animation would be included in this aspect too. As a result along came the 3D animation.

Animation is a massive term and could at times be misleading. The term in several ways refers to animated graphics as well. Often people don’t broaden their scope of what animation is all about. Numerous consider animation is other word for cartoons. Think of some other animated movies that you’ve had the pleasure of watching where physical models have been applied. King Kong certainly was not a live version of an ape. Yet look at the movements that he made. The basics are this. Move the model record the image move the model and record the picture. This goes on repeatedly.

One of the most booming and prestigious animators in his time was Walt Disney. What he attained with what he had during his career was magnificent. Many of us grew up enjoying some of the achievements of this world-renowned animator. It is a joint project in his day to produce an animation. He will do the major drawings, known as the key frames, and then the less important images would be done by his staff of in between framers.

One should never think that the 3D animation of nowadays is plainly sitting down at a computer and putting in a command and there it is done. The computer is the equipment; it still needs a experienced operator. The operator has to be astute in many various regions example creating the idea, the characters, the story board, and the soundtrack just to name a few responsibilities. Its true that theres computer software thats utilized to attain each of the goals as they pertain to each step. The basics of art still play a large part in it. With out them, the work could never be taken to perfection.

It should not be ignored that animation both 3D and 2D play a important role in other industries as well. Often individuals who have artistic talents and are intrigued with animation will not have a major interest in cartoon animation. For these people there’re different opportunities. For illustration in the medical field, 3D animation is applied all the time. Then in the building industry, the new concept is to draft 3D floor plans and architectural plans. With the advancement of animation soft-ware that’s available on the market now a whole building can be depicted in 3D color. Nothing like knowing what you are going to get before the ground is even broke.

No doubt just as pcs, go on to evolve so with the animation software. One has to acknowledge it makes for an stimulating prospect wondering what they would think of next.

About the Author:

Learn how to create cutting-edge 3d computer animation, games and models like Pixar in the next 5 minutes or less. Get 3DMagix – The #1 3d animation download software package suite.

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When Virtual Reality (VR) Animation is So Real That You Run For the Door

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:37:11 +0000

Animation has come a long way in the last decade or so. The computers are getting faster and more powerful and the animators and technicians are getting smarter. Plus, there are more colleges and universities training the best and the brightest to enter this field. And for good reason too. In 2008 most of the animation movie companies made substantial profits, and they just cannot get enough qualified help.

Of course there is much more to the story than that; as Virtual Reality environments have also come an awful long way. Some projects have been funded for the military for training, simulators for pilots and PTSD for returning soldiers. Other sectors have also chipped into the research, such as education, transportation, and video games. Some of the more futuristic video games and soldier training virtual reality simulators are so real that people involved, run from the room to get away!

Yes, they are fully aware that it is a simulator, augmented reality or virtual reality environment at the time, still, the realness triggers fight and flight responses that fool the senses into reacting as if they are real. So, the next question shall be or already is; Now What? What do we do now that we have produced VR environments and animation that is so real to life that its able to trick the mind, brain and body?

What do we do when the animation is so real that we have people running away, literally to escape? Do we chuck this current world and enter a whole new realm? It’s a whole new world, if we dare to take it; Dare we?

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Getting Started in Animation – How My 10 Year Old Started Animating

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:37:10 +0000

My 10 year old son is an amazing artist and over the last couple years at school has taken to using sticky-note pads to make flip book animations. These animations were so popular that his teachers and other students were buying them from him at school and he was actually making money buying blank sticky-note pads, making animations with them and then selling them!

So, for this past Christmas, I did some research on-line and found a very powerful animation software package that makes doing animations super easy and, with this software, he can also easily sell or otherwise distribute, multiple copies of his flip book animations.

The software is pretty neat because it will actually allow you to see both the animations before and/or after the page you are on. You can decide whether to turn on the past few animations or even the next few animations. You can select whether to show one or several layers ahead or back. This makes it super easy to get the timing and distances right when doing animations.

Combine this feature with the graphical drawing tablet we also got him for Christmas and he has a mini animation studio on one of the extra computers that we have in the house. Now, he can make all sorts of funny animations, export them as videos and share them with the world. He can go back and add color, add to or subtract from the story, fix errors as he gets better or experiment in a way where he can always go back to a saved copy. It has been a truly amazing tool for him.

So, if you’re a budding artist or animator, I suggest looking into some of the powerful digital tools available to take your craft further.

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Top Pre-School Cartoons and Their X Factors

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:37:09 +0000

Cartoons have always been about children and one of the most dedicated niches of animation to target this substantial demographic are pre-school cartoons. By niche, it means these cartoons are really catered to young minds’ sensibilities. So don’t go blurting out that a pre-school cartoon sucks if it does not measure up to your standards as a knowing individual. Of course, they are created for children.

But just because they are created for children, that doesn’t mean the potential for a huge market is not there. These kids may not have purchasing power, but they have the wallets of their parents backing them up.

It is important to note however that pre-school cartoons are a very sensitive niche. It cannot be all about the money. Animators for pre-school cartoons should take it upon themselves as a responsibility to promote excellent child education through these shows. They should feel accountable to the development of their children. By itself alone, that’s a noble motivation already.

Thus, here are a few popular pre-school cartoons and we’ll try to see what makes them click to children and even with their parents (who hypothetically are in charge of the remote control of the TV screen):

Dora the Explorer. This Nickelodeon Hispanic gem which can speak two languages have been carrying the flagship for pre-school cartoons everywhere. With problem solving at the forefront, Dora and her friends, Boots, Diego, Map and Bagpack, have been successful at attracting the curiosity of children thanks to their interactive conversations with the TV viewers. Not only does Dora help in keeping children behave, she also is an excellent training ground for memory skills and problem solving abilities.

This is a big reason why many parents voiced their outrage when they learned that the character design for Dora the Explorer has been expanded to appear as a pre-puberty lady. Parents are scared to lose the precious abilities of Dora the Explorer to engage their pre-school age children. But the creators of Dora are adamant that this new character design was just a branch out.

Little Einsteins. What would Albert Einstein would have felt knowing that a pre-school cartoon has been named after him – a high school dropout who happened to be a genius of science and technology? But that’s beyond the point. This show, a music-based cartoon from Disney Channel, is straightforward about its intention: it is about education and little children.

Using music as a way to sharpen the critical thinking skills of children is a nice touch. It is similar to a mnemonic and this has been proven successful to keep the memories of children sharp.

Sesame Street. Who can forget this Evergreen PBS classic pre-school show which has still been continually running for decades already? With its eclectic and colorful cast of muppets Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Grover and Count Dracula, children are introduced seamlessly to the virtues of infotainment. This show has already taught many children of today and yesterday how to read and count even before stepping inside a classroom.

Bob the Builder. This is another adorable engineer which adorns the Saturday morning time slot of CBS. This character has the requisite bright colors and sunshine attitude in its character design to attract children. Moreover, it teaches the virtues of hard work, self-reliance and critical thinking skills with his never-say-die approach to building and architecture.

These are only some of the most loved pre-school cartoons of all time. There are more of course and they have one thing in common: they all cater towards child education first and foremost. They have proven to be dedicated animation artists in making sure that children are empowered most especially in this Age of Information.

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3D Architectural Rendering Process

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:17:48 +0000

3D process is extremely important in professional fields and also outsourcing services like industrial, automobile, or architectural design, where 3D models often serve as prototypes for real-world products like chairs, cars, and buildings. In other situations (for instance, in some scientific applications), 3D models must be completely accurate replicas of existing physical objects. Data for these kinds of models can be obtained from 3D-imaging technologies ranging from photogrammetric to 3D scanners.

What makes us different..!

Many Company Have long list of global client as Companies 3D Architectural animation services are based on the local marketing and customer’s mindset.

That means 3d animations and 3D architectural Design interacts with the visitors reading their psyches so that they seem relevant and have much more remarkable results! Maximum and repeat clicks are some of the common outcomes that our clients enjoy with our 3D animation and graphic services.

Stages in the Development Process:-

Stage1: Collection of information such as AutoCAD drawings and photographs of the project, videos, Images, Perspectives, reference materials, target audience, objectives and end results expected.

Stage2: Review and analysis of the information collected; study the highlights or USPs of the projects. Evolve the right strategy and the right action plan that assures the best output.

Stage3: Develop the script / storyboard for the Walkthrough keeping in mind all the above objectives. The script will provide insight into the Layout, lighting, camera paths and all the other key components of the project.

Stage4: Develop the Camera paths, which include direction of camera, Areas to be highlighted and important features

Stage5: As per the Camera path, Team develops the required layout with landscape.

Stage6: As per the collected information the team develops the model with accuracy

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How to Draw a Cartoon Cow

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:54:52 +0000

When looking for the method for how to draw a cartoon cow you might want to choose the one that is the most simplified that leaves room for your imagination. When drawing the framework for a cow it can be very similar to the horse but much more simplified. You will want to start the cartoon cow with a framework of some ovals and a few lines. Draw a larger oval for the body and a medium size oval for the head first. You will be building from this. Next you want to draw two smaller ovals. One will be the left ear and the other will be the snout. Finish this part of the cartoon with two curved lines with one going off-center through the head oval and the same placement on the oval for the snout. This will help you with placing the nostrils, eyes and some other of the features you will want to add to the cartoon cow.

Now you have some ovals and a few lines on the paper and a lot of freedom with how you want the head of your cartoon cow to look. This basic outline could also be used for a pig or sheep possibly. You have to set upon the task of making this framework look like a cow. Make circles for the eyes on both sides of the line you drew for the head. Do the same for the snout. Draw a curved line under the snout to look like a mouth. Cows will have two bumps on the top of head and you can add them if you like. Draw the ears and form some horns if you would like. Now is the time to outline the head.

The third step would be developing the body of your cow. Try to visualize a cow in your mind. Doesn’t the back sway down and then go back up towards the hips? Include that on your drawing. Draw in the utters underneath the body and form the legs. Cows legs are generally quite small compared to the rest of the body and you can just make the legs fairly simple. Some things in a cartoon can be minimized and this is an example of one of them. After you have the basic cow drawn, add a simple line tail and some details such as lines in the hoofs and in the horns. There really aren’t many more details you have to add at this point.

Finish off the cartoon cow with deciding what kind of cow in terms of coloring. You can pick black with white spots or simply solid with some white in different places. It’s all up to you and your imagination. Congratulate yourself for your fine cartoon of a cow.

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Animation For Advanced Concepts Convinces Academics

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 11:09:35 +0000

Over the years, we have observed new concepts come and go, some take hold and are considered the next best thing to sliced bread, others fade away. Sometimes a concept or innovation succeeds because there is someone behind it that is truly inspired and dedicated to the cause, a salesman, spokesman, and hard charger who refused to give up.

Other times the person with the idea doesn’t know how to get it done, does not have any financial backing or lacks the presentation prowess to wow first adopters, investors or the public enough to start a trend.

Indeed, I’ve observed all these scenarios play out time and time again, and one thing I have noted is that those who spend the time and money to create professional animations of their advanced concepts or revolutionary innovations are the ones that convince the academics, political leaders, investors, and industry professionals that the project is worthy.

Why is this? Well, it is often hard to describe a concept with renderings, as a picture is worth a thousand words as they say, then consider a fully animated video of an advanced concept, what is that worth these days? A lot because often it is the difference between success and failure, but why am I telling you this?

You see, you might very well be the next innovator to come up with a breakthrough technology. I’d like to see you succeed and bring that innovation to the human race. So, my hope is that you will consider this and take action to see it through and put forth a winning presentation to get that ball rolling. Please think on this.

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Create a Free Avatar – How to Make the Best Avatars

admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:26:38 +0000

Avatars are the images of computer users found in computer games, internet forums or blogs. Three dimensional avatars are used in games and cartoons, while two dimensional ones are followed in internet forums. The idea had its origin in Hindu traditions where, as the myths goes, god took birth in many avatars or forms to meet specific purposes, but in anonymity.

But today, the word is more relevant in the computer field. Avatars are now the representations of the personality, interests, thought patterns, beliefs etc of an online forum. Three dimensional avatars are mostly animated ones. Avatars help create an individuality to an otherwise faceless blogger.

Avatars have been made very popular by some message providers like Yahoo. These ubiquitous virtual images can be designed in such a way to match your looks, personality etc, but without giving away your real identity.

Designing an avatar is child’s play now. There are many internet services that assist in creation of avatars, but the more technically inclined can make them on their own. A mixture of a little bit of creativity and imagination is all you need additionally. Creating an avatar of you is a fulfilling and fun filled act. The websites offering instant design options are a great help in determining the physical features of your creation including the skin color, the length of the hair, dress options and accessories. Animated ones are really good in attracting more and more visitors to your blog or forum.

They differ greatly in size and attraction. Instant messaging services needs to have only small ones, but video games and networking sites need bigger and animated avatars. Customized backgrounds can be added to an avatar to enhance its looks. But some people prefer to get hold of some other’s avatar and modify it as per their requirements. But there is no need to do it. There are some applications and softwares available now which would create a three dimensional or two dimensional images of you in no time.

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Five Tips For Making Your Animated Flash Cartoons Look Better

admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:26:34 +0000

So, you have a great idea for a cartoon.?The problem is your artistic skills are a bit lacking.?No problem!?With a little practice and these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating eye pleasing works of art!

Use Filters!?Let’s say you have created an object and placed it in the background of your movie.?The problem is it looks too dominate and clashes with the foreground.?Want to add more depth to the scene??Apply the blur filter to the object!?By doing this you can create a pseudo depth of field that can bring out your foreground objects, while keeping your background objects minimized (and vice-versa).?On top of that you can take advantage of the shadow filters to create the effect of light sources and more!

Play With The Framerate.?The framerate of your cartoon can greatly have an impact on the visual style.?The higher your framerate, the smoother things will look.?Of course with high framerates you have to animate more frames to compensate.?But that extra work may be worth it for a smoother looking movie.?Of course the opposite is also true.?Maybe you want a choppier look to your film which would require a lower framerate.?Again, this is something you should play with to determine what looks best to you.

Use After Effects Or Similar Software.?After Effects is an incredibly powerful piece of software and with little effort you can add a completely new look to your cartoon.?Of course using After Effects (or similar software) requires your cartoon to be a video file and not a Flash file.?So, depending on how you plan to distribute your movie, this may not be an option.?But if you are exporting your cartoon to be a video, I highly recommend you check out this option.

Believe In Your Style.?Look for ways to take advantage of your own style.?It can take sometime for a Flash cartoonist to “come into his/her own”.?Is there a limitation in your own style your aware of??Go ahead and play with that in the movie; turn a disadvantage into an advantage.?More importantly, just have fun with it!

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Naruto – Madara Uchiha Vs Pein

admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:26:33 +0000

The story is now coming to a point where you are made to wonder who will take charge of the Akatsuki. It is of course going to be one of two, either Nagato with his controlled bodies of Pein or Madara so really its a battle between the best Sharingan user and the best Rinnengan user. So, which is more powerful, Rinnengan or Sharingan?

We only know a little about the Rinnengan so we assume it only has one state and in that state its said to be the most superior of the three Ocular Kekkai Genkai. We do know that apparently the first user of the Rinnengan, the Sage of Six Paths is said to have founded the ninja world and know all ninjutsu. Also, something probably not worth mentioning is that he apparently created the moon with the technique Chibaku Tensei. Along with Chibaku Tensei, it is thought that BanshM Ten’in and Shinra Tensei are among the techniques that come with possesion of the Rinnengan, techniques which basically grant the user to control gravity and push/pull objects from their own centre.

The Sharingan on the other hand has three main states, normal Sharingan which gives the ability to read movements, copy jutsu and cast basic genjutsu.

Then there is the Mangekyo Sharingan, acquired by killing somebody close to you. Abilities depend on the user but so far we’ve seen the Mangekyo giving abilities such as powerful genjutsu and space/time distortion. Examples are Itachi’s Tsukuyomi which casts the victim under genjutsu and enables the user to control time along with everything in the created world and Kakashi’s only know Mangekyo technique which gives him the ability to distort space and transport objects to other dimensions. Black flames called the Amaterasu that burn until it consumes the target is another technique used by Itachi. The downside to the Mangekyo is that the user eventually ends up blind if they overuse it which brings us on to the next Sharingan level, the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

The EMS is aquired when an Uchiha with Mangekyo recieves another Uchiha (who also has Mangekyo) members eyes, this merges the two patterns of these Mangekyo to make one and gives the user ‘Eternal Light’ meaning the user will not become blind if he uses the Mangekyo’s abilities a lot. We are told that with the EMS comes many new Mangekyo jutsu so we can only imagine what other abilities Madara has since we’ve already seen him make any jutsu pass through his body.

From what we’ve seen I’d like to think that the EMS would prevail over the Rinnengan and unless Naruto kills Nagato in the upcoming manga or the story suddenly ends then I hope we will see a Sharingan vs Rinnengan battle sometime soon!