Before you can start animating you will need to gather some animating tools. (If you are serious about animating go ahead and skip to the next list.)
People who just want to try animation
If you want to try animation out, you will need:
- Pencils and an eraser
- Post it notes
The post it notes are convenient because they are already in a form of a flip book and you will not have to bind them.
For pencils, I recommend #2s because they can easily be erased and are the most common pencils around. As for the erasers anything will do as long as it can erase cleanly.
People who are more serious about animation
If you are serious about animation here is the list of things that you will need:
- Peg bar
- Animation paper
- Light box
- Pencils and erasers
John Q ©
A peg bar is what holds the animation paper in place and is usually taped down or glued onto a light box.
Animation paper is a special type of paper with punched holes to keep the paper in place and is bought in reams.
A light box is where an animator draws on to be able to see multiple drawings on top of each other while animating.
Pencils and an eraser are needed also. For pencils I recommend HB or #2s and for the erasers the rubber kind.
These supplies can be bought in specialty are stores and online dealers.
Digital Animators
Lastly for digital artists that want to start in animating:
- Animation software
- Drawing tablet
I have used Adobe Flash and Toon Boom for 2d animation. I prefer Flash because I am familiar with the software and helps make my work flow faster.
For 3d animation I have only used Maya and still learning. Sorry I will not be able to help you in this department yet, but the same principles can still be applied into 3d animation.
As for drawing tablets, I prefer working with Wacom tablets because of their reliability and not needing batteries to operate. I own the first generation Wacom Bamboo tablet and have been using it for almost 4 years now.
These lists should be a good start for you to get the right materials to start animating in my next post.
Disclaimer:
I do not endorse any of the brand names or retailers mentioned in this post. These are just my preferences from my own experience.
Hey John,
ReplyDeleteThis blog is great for newcomers to ATEC that are interested in animation. While I don't know a lot about animation but after watching you and the boys working on the seasons project last semester really help with a better understanding of how animation works.
After reading this post about the tools that would help with the animation process get me thinking about getting a tablet when I start working on my 3D rigging and animation when the time comes later this year. I think your blog could benefit to ATEC students with more information on different tablet and animation software.
Hey Hieu,
ReplyDeleteI can start a list of animation software and also tablets that I have used that are used by students and people in the industry.
I thought about doing animation, but I did not know where to start. I'm grateful after reading your blog post to know the materials I will need. Since I'm totally new to this I will start out with pencils and post it notes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hieu Vu, your blog is great for new people in ATEC. You have a good balance of informative and visual information. I learned a lot of stuff and enjoyed doing so. Keep it up.
I'm glad that my post has helped you start off animating.
ReplyDeleteYou can borrow a light box from a lab tech to use and you have access to animation paper too just ask a lab tech if you cannot find them. The peg bar you will probably have to buy. They can be bought from Asel Art.
We also have shooting stations in the game lab and the kitchen lab. If you need help shooting your animation just let me know.