#3d Animation Software for beginners

[techdriveplay]

The Best Software for Digital Art

In recent years, digital art has evolved from a niche interest to a mainstream form of expression, thanks to the rapid advancement of technology. Whether you’re a professional artist or a beginner, having the right software can make a significant difference in your creative process. This article explores the best software for digital art, helping you to choose the ones that best suit your needs…

[kwikl]

How to Find the Best Maya Courses for Your Skill Level & Interests

If you're looking for the best Maya courses to improve your skills or learn something new, here are some steps to follow:

Determine your skill level: Before you start searching for courses, determine your skill level in Maya. Are you a beginner or an advanced user? Knowing your skill level will help you filter out courses that are too basic or too advanced for you.

Identify your interests: Maya has a wide range of applications, from 3D modeling to animation and visual effects. Identify what interests you the most and focus on courses that cover those topics.

Look for reputable platforms: Look for reputable online learning platforms that offer Maya courses, such as Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning. These platforms have a wide range of courses at different skill levels, and many of them are taught by industry professionals.

Read reviews: Read reviews from other students who have taken the courses you're interested in. Reviews can give you valuable insight into the quality of the course, the instructor, and the overall learning experience.

Check the course syllabus: Before enrolling in a course, check the syllabus to make sure it covers the topics you're interested in and that the course material aligns with your skill level.

Consider the instructor's credentials: Look for courses taught by instructors who have experience in the industry and who have a strong portfolio of work.

Take advantage of free trials: Many online learning platforms offer free trials for their courses. Take advantage of these trials to test out a course before committing to it.

If you are looking to learn Maya, one of the most powerful 3D animation and modeling software, then finding the right course is essential. With so many different Maya courses available online, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your skill level and interests. In this article, we will discuss how to find the best Maya courses that match your needs. We will look at various types of courses and what they offer, as well as how to evaluate their quality and determine which ones are right for you. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of what kind of course is best for you and where to find it.

[lackadaisycats]

Do you have any animation software recommendations? I'm a beginner animator and i want to start learning.

There are a lot of options out there. I chatted with some of the crew to try to narrow down recommendations. There was something of a consensus that Clip Studio Paint is actually quite good as a beginner animation tool. If you work with digital drawing programs, it's overall UX will probably feel pretty familiar from the start. It's not overcomplicated, but it's still sophisticated enough to produce production quality work if you want to push it that far.

You can hone your animation chops in so many different ways, though, from TV Paint to a sticky note flipbook. I'd suggest a little experimenting to find what feels right to you. You can animate in Adobe Photoshop. The tools provided are fairly rudimentary, but there's nothing wrong with starting out plain and simple. You can animate in 2D with Blender's Grease Pencil tool too. And it's free. And maybe you can pick up some 3D skills in the process. If it's within your budget, Toon Boom is a very solid choice. It's what we use for Lackadaisy, and we know many, many other animated productions rely on it too. If you happen to like working with Procreate and you're comfortable with touch screen controls, give the new Procreate Dreams a shot. Prioritize your comfort and enjoyment in selecting a tool first. Once you have developed your drawing skills and understand the principles of animation, you get to take that knowledge with you to any other animation tool you decide to pick up next.

[sibmakesart]

hello! i really love your art & animations! i'm not sure if someone has asked this already but: what do you use to animate? & how long have you been animating for? do u know of any tutorials/classes? (i'm a beginner learning on my own atm!)

hi ! thanks a lot :D

Software wise it depends, procreate for the little sketchy animations, toon boom story board and harmony for bigger projects, sometimes blender even ^^ and unity for work, but its special for video games, i even animated a lot on photoshop when i started !!! never again !!!

i composite in after effect or premiere, depending on what needs to be done, sometimes both for big stuff, but if youre learning animation, focus on the basics before the aesthetics (you can fumble your way into compositing way more easily than anim)

ive been animating on and off for 5 years, 3 of wich were in animation school (during which we surprisingly did not animate much lmao) i got this film out of it tho lol

as for tutos....

i cannot recomend enough The Animator's survival guide, you ccan find the free pdf on the internet, and a bunch of people explaining and showcasing it on yt, its basically the bible for 2d animation

this vid is also very good to get a feel of animation, and the basics, the guy also has v good classes on his channel

but basically the best way to learn is to animate ! a lot ! and look at animations you like, download them and look at them frame by frame : how does the timing work, how doess that character moves, etc

ACT IT OUT ! FILM YOURSELF IN YOUR ROOM DOING STUPID SHIT ! ANIMATE IT ! (believe me, im as sad as you that this is the answer to good anim... but it is...)

and what kind of anim do you like to make ! fights ? chara acting ? sfx ? theres a LOT in which you can specialize (if making a living out of it is your goal) so play around in a cheap/free/cracked software and see what you like and what works for you !

animation is a very complete field : you gotta know perspective, anatomy, acting, composition, exercising any of these skills ultimately makes your animations better !

3d anim is a whole other can of worm, but (IMO) still requires 2d basics,

TO CONCLUDE :

just go ham on doing weird shit and consume, consume,consume animation : short gobelin/carlarts films, all of richard williams filmography, obscure russian animated movies from the 70's, youll ALWAYS learn something, thats how you learn best

Happy creating !! animation is AMAZING the way i felt the first time i made something that MOVES ? unparralleled

[genericpuff]

hello! i'm not sure if you remember me, a while ago i asked about digital art and if it's possible to do on an ipad or something similar. i was really grateful for your response and i got an ipad over christmas! i didn't realize how expensive the pencils were though and was only able to get one recently. now that i have all of that, i download the first art program i saw (ibispaint x, i don't know how good that is) and feel super overwhelmed by everything, all the tools and brushes and i have no idea where to begin. i know this is a super broad topic, but i don't know if you have any advice for a beginner hoping to become a digital artist? or know of any resources? thank you so much in advance and no worries if this topic is too broad to really get into properly!

Oh hey!! Congrats on getting an iPad! And yeah, shopping for the pens is a big pain in the butt, but I'm glad you finally got it all setup!

So most of the advice I'm gonna give you is very basic, starter advice that can apply to virtually any digital art software, as the vast majority of them are built with the exact same base tools, they just vary in their intended purposes which means they may differ in more advanced settings and what they offer beyond the basics (ex. Photoshop has more colors than Clip Studio because it's built for editing high quality photos whereas Clip Studio is meant to emulate comic art, but Clip Studio offers more in the way of comic-creating tools such as specialized rulers, 3D material support, built-in screentoning, etc. and all of the software available will tend to have different brush engines, meaning it doesn't always 'feel' the same to draw in one software as it does in another).

Your bestest friends:

Layers! This is the biggest pro to going digital, because now you can work with layers! So anything you draw on each layer is preserved and can't touch or affect whatever's on the other ones :3 You can find the layers tab in Ibis Paint X in the bottom right, don't be afraid to make a bunch of them and mess around with what you can do. Play around with the different blending mode settings (in Ibis Paint it's the menu that's labelled 'Normal' in the layers popup) especially Multiply, Color Dodge, and Overlay, as those three are the most commonly used to make coloring more efficient and give your art some extra pop.

Lasso/marquee/magic wand tools! These are basic selection tools that allow you to select an area within the layer you're working on, so that whatever you paint won't travel outside of that area. The Lasso is a free draw tool, the marquee tool is typically 4 sides by default (so squares/rectangles) and the magic wand detects and selects a closed area with one click! (just note that by default it's only on the layer you're on, so if you use it on a layer that has nothing, it will typically select the entire canvas).

Alpha locking! This is a simple button setting you can click to 'lock' the layer you're working on, which basically means that whatever you've drawn on that layer, anything you add can't travel outside of that drawing. So if you want to quickly shade something without going outside the lines, alpha locking is your solution!

Clipping groups/layers! This is a bit more advanced but is basically an even better version of alpha locking that you can use in conjunction with it. Clipping layers are basically additional layers that , when you click the 'clipping group' button, 'attaches' that new layer to the layer that's below it. It performs the same function as the alpha lock by preventing whatever you draw on that layer from travelling outside of it, HOWEVER it comes with the added benefit that it's on an entirely different layer, meaning you can erase and mess with whatever's on that new layer as much as you like and it won't hurt the base layer. It kinda follows the same logic as animation cels !

Masking! Y'know when you're doing a traditional painting, and you put down tape to cover the area so you can paint over it and later remove the tape and everything underneath is untouched? That's basically what masking is! Once you put down a layer mask, using the erase tool on it will 'erase' whatever the mask is applied to, and using the brush will make it magically return! This may sound silly at first, but I find masking is especially helpful if you want to erase something on the layer you're working on without it disappearing forever! It's also really helpful for comic work because you can mask whatever's outside of the panels and voila, nothing you draw will travel outside of those panels!

Stabilization! I don't know how extensive Ibis Paint X is with offering stabilization tools, but many digital art software comes with it and it's a LIFE SAVER for new digital artists adjusting to the feel of digital art. It essentially 'slows down' the output of the ink on the canvas which helps a lot with getting cleaner lines in fewer tries. It's not quite as big of a deal when drawing on iPads because obviously you have more control by default by drawing directly on the screen, but it can still be really helpful when you need to pace your hand ahead of the actual drawing tool to pull cleaner lines!

That's pretty much all I can think of for now! But here are some other commonly asked questions:

1.) There are so many brushes to choose from, which one do I use?

The round brush is small but mighty. Virtually anything can be painted with it, it's simple, but malleable, especially when you start messing around with the hardness and opacity settings. Don't get too lost in the sauce with the brushes that are available to you, it can be very easy to get overwhelmed by all the options and variety. Some artists still work purely with just round brushes, some artists have custom brushes they like to use to speed up their drawing process or achieve certain textures. Play around with them, but don't get too stressed about which one you use because there's no wrong answer, the right brush to use is the one that gets the job done ! <3

2.) What canvas size should I use?

It depends on a variety of factors such as whether or not you're planning to print, where you're going to be posting it, etc. By default I like to work on 8.5 x 11 inch canvases (standard printer paper size) at 350 dpi, which if you want to make that canvas in Ibis Paint X, means you just have to make a canvas with a pixel ratio of 2975 x 3850 pixels! Just note that the lower you go in either pixel count or dpi, the lower the resolution, so it's typically encouraged you work at a minimum of 300 dpi (but you usually don't have to go any higher than 600) to ensure you don't wind up with any blurry low res JPG's/PNG's.

3.) Should I export my final drawing as JPG or PNG?

This is usually just up to personal preference, but like the canvas size, it depends on what you're using the image for. You can always export as both, the biggest difference between them is that PNG is lossless meaning you won't experience image compression like you will with JPG, BUT you're also going to have much larger image sizes. JPG is often fine for any standard posting, PNG is typically recommended if you want to have a drawing with a transparent background for printing (as JPG can't do transparent backgrounds) or if you just want to have a really high res image file for sharing outside of social media sites (as social media sites like FB/IG/etc. will typically compress the hell out of your images anyways)

Here are some other super helpful resources as well if you need some visual and/or audio guides:

Sinix Design - How to Learn Digital Painting (Beginners)

Marc Brunet - The Beginner's Guide to Digital Art

Skynix Art - 50 Digital Art Tips in 5 Minutes

One thing I also like to do is watch speedpaints of digital artists as it can really help pull back the curtain on what they're doing (or at least, it can help you see what they start with which can help you better picture the process of turning a blank canvas into a finished work of art!) And though I don't do it as often, if there's an artist whose work I REALLY like, I'll try and find their actual work files (many bigger artists sell them on their crowdfunding sites/Gumroad/etc.) so that I can actually break the drawings apart layer by layer for the purpose of analysis. Of course, all that is something that you'll grasp better over time as you learn the tools and learn to recognize what artists are doing in their own workflow, so don't worry if you don't glean a whole lot of info from the "big guys" right away, you should always be referencing artists who are higher along the skill ceiling from you but not too high that they're using techniques and tools that are outside of your realm of understanding.

Other than that, just try to have fun, don't stress too much about it, and save often!!! Part of creating art is learning to be at peace with the process, so don't stress too much if it takes you a while to get adjusted to the layouts and tools - at the end of the day, digital art is another medium entirely, so it's not uncommon at all for traditional artists to need a lot of practice to 'switch' to digital, because they both utilize different tools and techniques. Be patient with yourself, always be on the hunt for new resources and guides and references, and don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes (the best part about digital art? Mistakes don't cost you any paint or materials!)

Good luck!! And congrats again! 🥰

[msrlunatj]

¿Qué Distribución de Linux Deberías Usar Según tus Intereses? / Which Linux Distribution Should You Use Based on Your Interests?

Introducción / Introduction

Español: Linux ofrece una vasta gama de distribuciones, cada una diseñada para diferentes intereses y necesidades. Ya sea que te enfoques en el desarrollo de software, la administración de sistemas, la creación de contenido multimedia, o simplemente busques una alternativa a Windows o macOS, hay una distribución de Linux que se adapta a ti. Además, Linux proporciona ventajas significativas sobre otros sistemas operativos en muchos de estos escenarios. En este blog, exploraremos cuál distribución es ideal según tus intereses y las razones por las que Linux puede ser una mejor opción en comparación con Windows o macOS. Presentaremos esta información de manera accesible para tanto hispanohablantes como angloparlantes.

English: Linux offers a wide range of distributions, each designed for different interests and needs. Whether you focus on software development, system administration, multimedia creation, or simply seek an alternative to Windows or macOS, there’s a Linux distribution that suits you. Additionally, Linux offers significant advantages over other operating systems in many of these scenarios. In this blog, we’ll explore which distribution is ideal based on your interests and why Linux might be a better choice compared to Windows or macOS. This information will be presented in a way that is accessible to both Spanish and English speakers.

1. Ubuntu: Ideal para Principiantes, Desarrollo y Diseño Gráfico / Ubuntu: Ideal for Beginners, Development, and Graphic Design

Español: Ubuntu es la elección perfecta para quienes son nuevos en Linux o buscan una distribución estable y fácil de usar para el desarrollo de software. Su amplia compatibilidad con aplicaciones como GIMP, Inkscape y Blender también la convierte en una excelente opción para diseñadores gráficos e ilustradores. Además, Ubuntu ofrece soporte para una variedad de herramientas de desarrollo, lo que la hace ideal para programadores.

English: Ubuntu is the perfect choice for those new to Linux or looking for a stable and user-friendly distribution for software development. Its broad compatibility with applications like GIMP, Inkscape, and Blender also makes it an excellent choice for graphic designers and illustrators. Additionally, Ubuntu offers support for a variety of development tools, making it ideal for programmers.

2. Fedora: Para Desarrolladores, Seguridad y Creación de Contenido Multimedia / Fedora: For Developers, Security, and Multimedia Creation

Español: Fedora se destaca por estar a la vanguardia en términos de tecnología y seguridad. Es una distribución ideal para desarrolladores y aquellos interesados en seguridad informática. Además, Fedora es compatible con una amplia gama de software para edición de video, audio y animación, como Kdenlive, Audacity y Blender, lo que la convierte en una opción sólida para creadores de contenido multimedia.

English: Fedora stands out for being at the forefront of technology and security. It’s an ideal distribution for developers and those interested in cybersecurity. Additionally, Fedora supports a wide range of software for video editing, audio production, and animation, such as Kdenlive, Audacity, and Blender, making it a solid choice for multimedia content creators.

3. Debian: Para Administradores de Sistemas, Usuarios Avanzados y Diseño 3D / Debian: For System Administrators, Advanced Users, and 3D Design

Español: Debian es conocida por su estabilidad, lo que la hace ideal para administradores de sistemas y usuarios avanzados. Su entorno sólido también es adecuado para diseñadores 3D que buscan un sistema confiable para trabajar con software como Blender o FreeCAD. Debian proporciona un entorno de trabajo predecible y seguro, ideal para manejar proyectos de gran escala y complejidad.

English: Debian is known for its stability, making it ideal for system administrators and advanced users. Its solid environment is also suitable for 3D designers looking for a reliable system to work with software like Blender or FreeCAD. Debian provides a predictable and secure work environment, ideal for handling large-scale and complex projects.

4. Arch Linux: Para Usuarios Avanzados, Personalización Extrema y Jugadores / Arch Linux: For Advanced Users, Extreme Customization, and Gamers

Español: Arch Linux es la distribución preferida por aquellos que desean un control total sobre su sistema. Es ideal para usuarios avanzados que buscan personalización extrema y desean optimizar su sistema para el rendimiento en juegos. Arch te permite configurar tu entorno de juego con precisión, optimizando el rendimiento con herramientas como Steam y Proton para jugar títulos de Windows en Linux.

English: Arch Linux is the preferred distribution for those who want full control over their system. It’s ideal for advanced users seeking extreme customization and who want to optimize their system for gaming performance. Arch allows you to finely tune your gaming environment, optimizing performance with tools like Steam and Proton for playing Windows titles on Linux.

5. Linux Mint: Alternativa a Windows para Escritorio y Creadores de Contenido / Linux Mint: Windows Alternative for Desktop Users and Content Creators

Español: Linux Mint ofrece una experiencia de usuario familiar para aquellos que buscan una alternativa a Windows, siendo particularmente amigable para el uso en escritorios. También es una excelente opción para creadores de contenido que necesitan una distribución simple y efectiva para trabajar con herramientas como OBS Studio, GIMP y Audacity. Mint combina facilidad de uso con estabilidad, facilitando la transición desde Windows.

English: Linux Mint offers a familiar user experience for those seeking an alternative to Windows, being particularly user-friendly for desktop use. It’s also an excellent choice for content creators who need a simple and effective distribution for working with tools like OBS Studio, GIMP, and Audacity. Mint combines ease of use with stability, making the transition from Windows smooth.

6. Pop!_OS: Para Desarrolladores, Gamers y Diseño 3D / Pop!_OS: For Developers, Gamers, and 3D Design

Español: Pop!_OS es una distribución basada en Ubuntu, optimizada para desarrolladores y jugadores. Incluye soporte nativo para GPUs, lo que la hace ideal para jugar y trabajar en proyectos de diseño 3D con software como Blender. Además, su enfoque en la productividad y el flujo de trabajo eficiente la convierte en una excelente opción para desarrolladores que buscan un entorno de trabajo optimizado.

English: Pop!_OS is a Ubuntu-based distribution optimized for developers and gamers. It includes native GPU support, making it ideal for gaming and working on 3D design projects with software like Blender. Additionally, its focus on productivity and efficient workflow makes it an excellent choice for developers looking for an optimized work environment.

Ventajas de Linux Sobre Windows y macOS / Advantages of Linux Over Windows and macOS

Español: Linux ofrece diversas ventajas sobre Windows y macOS, incluyendo:

Costo: La mayoría de las distribuciones de Linux son gratuitas, lo que reduce significativamente el costo en comparación con las licencias de Windows o macOS.

Seguridad: Linux es conocido por su robusta seguridad, con menos vulnerabilidades a malware debido a su arquitectura y modelo de permisos.

Rendimiento: Linux es más eficiente en el uso de recursos, ofreciendo mejor rendimiento, especialmente en hardware más antiguo o limitado.

Personalización: Con Linux, tienes un control total sobre tu sistema, permitiendo ajustar cada aspecto según tus necesidades, lo que es ideal para usuarios avanzados y creadores de contenido.

English: Linux offers several advantages over Windows and macOS, including:

Cost: Most Linux distributions are free, significantly reducing costs compared to Windows or macOS licenses.

Security: Linux is known for its robust security, with fewer vulnerabilities to malware due to its architecture and permission model.

Performance: Linux is more resource-efficient, offering better performance, especially on older or limited hardware.

Customization: With Linux, you have full control over your system, allowing you to tweak every aspect to fit your needs, ideal for advanced users and content creators.

Conclusión / Conclusion

Español: Elegir la distribución de Linux adecuada puede mejorar significativamente tu experiencia, dependiendo de tus intereses y necesidades. Desde Ubuntu y Fedora para principiantes y desarrolladores, hasta Arch Linux para usuarios avanzados y jugadores, y Pop!_OS para creadores de contenido y diseño 3D, hay una distribución que se adapta a cada perfil. Linux ofrece notables ventajas sobre Windows y macOS, convirtiéndose en una opción atractiva para una amplia variedad de usuarios.

English: Choosing the right Linux distribution can significantly enhance your experience, depending on your interests and needs. From Ubuntu and Fedora for beginners and developers, to Arch Linux for advanced users and gamers, and Pop!_OS for content creators and 3D design, there’s a distribution that fits every profile. Linux offers notable advantages over Windows and macOS, making it an attractive option for a wide range of users.

[cryptic-forge]

what software do you use to make the 3d models for your dolls? I've been trying to make dolls and it hasn't been working out very well.

blender. my hottest beginner tip, as somebody who has been doing this for maybe a year so i do fall into the beginner category myself, is to ignore all advice on how to 3d model Properly.

what i mean is that 3d printing is very forgiving. there are no poly count budgets or topology requirements like games or animation have, and a lot of the advice online is geared towards those things. i have no idea how to do low-poly modeling, or anything deeply technical. mostly i just add some balls of clay in object mode, and then go directly to sculpting. the sculpt mode is pretty quick to figure out; if you can do it with clay, you can do it in blender after playing around with the tools for a bit. there's no need to learn everything immediately; you can get pretty far with dolls by just sculpting and figuring out how to use the boolean modifier for joints & other miscellaneous holes.

[chaussurre]

i dont understand the whole "unity" thing. what is happening? all the game devs on my tl are talking about it

Alright so starting from 0:

To make a game, you need to do a lot of things: display objects, animate them, physics, collisions, etc. This, is a lot of work, so while you can do them from scratch, and some people do, most people will use a game engine.

A game engine is a software that does many of the reccuring things in a video game. For example, it handles the displaying of 3D objects. But it doesn't do the whole game, even with an engine, there's still a lot of work to do.

What most devs will do when making a game, is that they'll use an engine as a basis, and then build above it.

Now, we have several options to choose from, when it comes to game engines. One of these options is called "Unity". Unity is one of the largest game engine, with a reputation of being great to learn for beginners.

And many people, me included, spent of fucking lot of time learning Unity, and developing tools for Unity and all was good.

But everything changed when capitalism attacked.

A few days ago, Unity announced they would change how they would bill developers for each time their game would be downloaded, above a certain threshold. Which made a lot of devs angry.

First because it counted once for each device the same user would download the game on, then once for each time he reinstall the game, then once for each pirated version etc. Also it was retroactive so there are games that will be withdrawed from Steam, like cult of the lamb and such.

So of course we got angry and they backtracked on a few things. I'm still gonna change engine because fuck them.

But swapping engine isn't an easy task. If you're working on a game, you'll have to redo most of the code. If you made tools, all these will be useless. So some people are stuck with Unity and their unfair practices.

[bosskie]

Last night, I wanted to start learning 3D modelling in Blender since I have no idea how to actually do 3D models, only sculpts, so here's my first 3D modelling thing, RuptureFarms logo. Though yeah, I have done that one simple Molluck 3D model but I'm afraid that it's more like a sculpture, I don't know, I'm a beginner... But I only used modelling tools here.

But yeah, just saw a tutorial where you could transform 2D logos into 3D, so it felt something simple enough. I had some problems with this and it still has some flaws but I might let this be, and maybe redo this if I ever need this thing for something. Also yeah, this is just something I did to practice; the animation is kinda lazy for that reason too (I know that walking speed is a bit too fast; just didn't wanna make it take longer). I have never rendered a video in Blender either, so it was nice to learn to do that too! I did edit the original video using another software. Oh, and yeah, that's my Molluck sculpt I used for fun here.

Here you can see the thing from more technical aspect and some of my issues... I have no idea why it behaves like this. Oh, and I had to fix all the letters by hand, so they can look kinda wonky due to that since I didn't feel like making them 'perfect', just fix them as quickly as possible.

Man, 3D modelling seems like a pain but I really wanna learn it! I'm not sure what I'm gonna do next but a cigar or something else that is simple enough would be nice.

[ironicsoap]

How did you start getting into 3d modelling? Any advice for beginner software or projects? Do you need a really good computer?

How did you start getting into 3d modelling? I saw that not a lot of 3D animation memes existed, and wanted to fill in that niche (this is from a few years ago, there's plenty of 3D animation memes these days! but I was one of the very early creators.)

Any advice for beginner software or projects? For beginners, don't do big projects unless you're insane like me and you love the challenge. (3D is a special interest of mine) You want to do small things and get a consistent stream of small wins for motivation! Still challenge yourself, but not so much that learning 3D feels insurmountable. It's a completely new very complex medium of art to a beginner, it doesn't make sense to start out creating film quality models. (Although you can if you are determined. I did that LOL) Basically every person I've known that decided to do something huge decided to quit on 3D immediately. But one person I know actually took my advice of taking it slow and they are really improving and doing bigger and cooler projects every day :3

Do you need a really good computer? You only need a good computer if you want to do realistic/film quality stuff! Toony, chibi, and low poly stuff doesn't need an ultra gaming pc.

[clownsaint]

Hello. I have always wanted to do animation but I have never had the time. Now that I do, are there any YouTube videos you recommend for a beginner? Any software you recommend?

Hi!! A bit of a disclaimer before I answer this: I'm a self-taught hobbyist. I've done freelance work for musicians/games and stuff but I'm not in the industry per se, so the advice I give is just my personal experience and not professionl advice. OK, here goes: For 3D: I recommend the software Blender, and for tutorials I recommend Blender Guru's series on youtube. It's how I learned years ago. Blender can be very intimidating to new users but just keep at it, it will get easier especially as muscle memory takes over. For 2D: Personally, I sort of just wing it. I recommend asking some more established or experienced animators, but some good youtube channels that I've heard of are people like Toniko Pantoja and maybe Ethan Becker. Remember that these skills (2D and 3D) transfer to an extent, it's all video making even if the methods are different. And make sure you have your art fundamentals down solid first. But just keep in mind that everything I've done I did badly at first, so don't be afraid to experiment and don't worry if it doesn't turn out good at first. Most of all remember to have fun with it, and good luck on your journey :D I hope this helped!

[skoff-the-artist]

That animation you posted was amazing!!! The gleam of the leaves is so pretty. If you don't mind, what software did you use for it?

Hii, ty for asking, I was itching to tell!!!

I used Krita for the model and props (background and foreground). I drew parts of his body on different layers so I can assemble them into a model later.

Then I animated the model itself in Moho using bones and ensured it loops (though leaves still look a bit jagged in the end, I animated them w bone dynamics on, it was hard to make them completely match the first frame).

After that, I exported everything as a PNG image sequence (arms and the plant separate from the body to make shadows later) and imported it into Adobe After Effects. I assembled everything, added shadows under his arms, added gleam effects to the eyes and the plant itself, some lighting and a slight parallax so it's all nice and 3d (sort of, it's hard to pick on). I used masks for the most part. Fun fact: I wasted about an hour making small white dots in his eyes bc I used a tracker tool for that and it refused to cooperate. The more you know

Here are some videos that might help:

Moho (this one isn't really beginner friendly in terms of explaining the interface and all that, but it covers basic aspects of bone animation in simple form): https://youtu.be/DSk7NOEzK-w

AE (this one is REALLY good!!): https://youtu.be/jv4axtpnZps

Parallax in AE (mostly covers animation of photos etc. and very well explains the tools you can use): https://youtu.be/CjUeDBbdG_o

Hope this helped!

[csleko]

Surprise! That experiment with underwater lighting effects was just another one of my remakes all along!

EXCEPT THAT IS A TOTAL LIE, AND THIS IS A DE-MAKE.

I REPEAT: THE CRAPPIER VERSION IS THE NEW ONE HERE.

Yes! Purely for funsies, instead of taking one of my old renders and making it GOOD, I took an already good one and made it BAD.

Well, okay, not "bad." I just tried to make it look like something I could have made when I was first learning how to use 3D animation software. And I mean FIRST learning. I only allowed myself to use the techniques I learned in my first couple weeks of Maya animation class in 2009.

Only the most basic modelling techniques. Primitives, extrusion, edge/face/vertex manipulation, translate, scale, rotate, duplicate. No modelling from a reference, no consideration of poly count, topology or deformation. (Not that any of those would have been needed for this particular scene anyway.)

Only the most basic shading/texturing.*

No fancy lighting setups. Just moving the default light and changing the brightness and/or color. (We did learn how to add new lights, but never really went over how to actually properly light a scene.)

No fancy camera stuff either, so no depth of field and no FOV adjustment. I also stuck with Maya's old default of 640x480 resolution, even though plenty of my oldest renders were higher, so I definitely knew how to change it.

*There were a few slightly more advanced (for a beginner) techniques I allowed myself to use for this exercise because I figured them out on my own by just poking around in the software during class. Therefore, basic noise generation and bump texturing were allowed.

It was kind of fun to give myself so many restrictions, and it took a little longer than I would have expected because Blender's defaults kept making it look too *good.*

Honestly? I don't think the de-make even looks all that bad for how deliberately amateurish I tried to make it. If I had made that during my first semester of animation classes I feel like I would have been pretty genuinely proud of it.

[atellierstudioofficial]

Mastering Self-Taught 3D Modeling: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning 3D modeling independently can be an immensely rewarding endeavor. Below, you'll find a step-by-step guide to embark on this creative journey successfully:

Define Your Objectives: Begin by clarifying your reasons for learning 3D modeling. Are you interested in game design, animation, architecture, or another specific application? Establishing clear goals will help you stay motivated and focused.

Select Suitable Software: Numerous 3D modeling software options are available, ranging from free to paid. Popular choices include Blender (free and open-source), Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and ZBrush. Choose software that aligns with your goals and budget.

Grasp the Basics: Start with the fundamentals. Familiarize yourself with the software's user interface, navigation, and basic tools. Most software packages offer introductory tutorials and documentation to facilitate your initial steps.

Access Online Courses and Tutorials: A wealth of online courses and tutorials awaits you on platforms like YouTube, Udemy, Coursera, and Khan Academy. Seek out beginner-level courses that cover the basics of 3D modeling. Follow along and practice consistently.

Regular Practice: Improvement in 3D modeling is directly linked to practice. Dedicate time to create simple objects, experiment with tools, and gradually advance to more intricate projects. Steadfast practice is key.

Study Anatomy and Reference Materials: For those interested in character modeling or organic shapes, in-depth knowledge of anatomy and reference materials is invaluable. This understanding enhances the realism of your creations.

Master Texturing and Materials: Explore texturing techniques and materials. Proficiency in applying textures, shaders, and materials to your 3D models is essential for achieving realistic renders.

Delve into Specializations: 3D modeling encompasses a wide array of specializations, such as character modeling, architectural visualization, product design, and more. Explore various areas to discover your passion.

Engage in Online Communities: Connect with fellow 3D artists and enthusiasts through forums, social media, and 3D modeling communities. Sharing your work, seeking advice, and receiving feedback can be immensely beneficial.

Develop a Portfolio: As your skills evolve, start crafting a portfolio showcasing your finest work. A well-structured portfolio is essential if you aim to pursue a career or freelance opportunities in 3D modeling.

Stay Current: The 3D modeling field is in constant flux. Stay informed about the latest trends, techniques, and software updates by following industry news, blogs, and online courses.

Consider Advanced Training: If you're committed to a career in 3D modeling, contemplate advanced training or pursuing a degree in computer graphics, animation, or a related field. Such education can broaden your horizons.

Innovate and Experiment: Dare to innovate and experiment. Push the boundaries of your creative abilities, and don't be disheartened by setbacks. Learning from your mistakes is an invaluable part of your journey.

Cultivate Patience and Perseverance: Mastering 3D modeling is a gradual process, and each individual progresses at their own pace. The key is to maintain patience, practice consistently, and persist through challenges. Remember that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process.

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Embarking on the path of self-taught 3D modeling can be challenging, but with dedication and the guidance provided above, you can make remarkable progress and achieve your artistic and career goals.