Under construction. June/July 2007. These glossary and software pages are a work in progress. Please understand that definitions are being added daily but will take time to finish.
Software For Animation And 3-D
There was a time when animation was a slow and difficult process best left to Walt Disney or Warner Brothers. The computer has changed all that by putting powerful tools in the reach of all artists. The television series RugRats was started by a small group using Toon Boom Studio, a program that it affordable for everyone. Go online and you will find there are hage numbers of artists making their own animations. In a more humble manner the banners that many web designers put on their web sites that have movement in them are in fact simple animations. Animation has of course crossed over into the world of 3-D whether in movies or PlayStation games. Even the mobile phone is now a venue for significant animation. Clearly it is a growing branch of the arts. Here's a rough guide to getting started.
Software For Animation And 3-D
- 3-D Animation
- 3-D Modeling
- 3-D Rendering
- After Effects
- Animation
- Anime
- Deep Creator A creator of 3-D environments with huge potential for the creatively adventurous. it is primarily intended for creating games, virtual reality environments, and architectural visualizations. It is a high end tool for professionals. I can't help but wonder what it would do applied to contemporary arts processes in the hands of a suitably trained artist. The program includes a 3-D modeler, texture creator and scripting engine. From the same company that produces Deep Paint (Right Hemmisphere). Windows only. Official web site here.
- Deep Paint A professional level program for painting both 2-D and 3-D models. In layman's english, this program is designed for painting the sort of computer generated graphics in the latest 3-D animated
movies. You would have very little change out of a thousand dollars,
and it sounds a lot, but is actually not so much for this kind of
software. It has a sister program that deals with UV mapping and called Deep Paint UV. Windows only Review is here. Official web site is here. - Flash
- Poser
- Project Dogwaffle A superb series of graphics programs to put a smile on any artist's lips. They blur the distinction between painting and animation programs. Described as quirky, I would say creative in their approach to a painting program.
For example the latest Pro version has the ability to allow the artist
to animate the sky and control cloud speed and shape. Or have snow
actually falling in a snow scene! The brush selection includes animation brushes for creating movement in pictures. All this in a natural media painting program. It is a good example of digital painting
exploring areas that traditional media can't do. There are numerous
versions available from free to $120. The one called "artist" at 39
dollars is a good starting point for many, although the free version is
actually lots of fun and easy to learn on. They understand quirky
artist needs and are quite unusual in that they make upgrades easy and are happy for you to buy the cheaper packages and build on them as you can afford. Their web site
admits it is made by starving artist's for starving artist's. This
friendly approach carries through to the so called "wafflers" who make
up the community of users. Recommendable but idiosyncratic software. About.com put them at number 6 on their top 10 of painting programs. Particularly suited to the uses of cell animators. Their downside is that they are only available for Windows. Web page for the free starter version here. Web site for the commercial versions here. - Toon Boom Studio
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