Animation can be understood as the process used by animators to generate the sensation of movement in a sequence of images. Generally this sequence shows a character (or object), performing a certain action. Each of these images is properly called frames, and depending on the speed and amount at which they change (they go from one image to the other). The fluidity of the movement will be determined. It is valid to consider the entire animation process as an optical illusion, which occurs by rapidly changing from one frame to another.
However, it must be taken into account that there are many animation techniques, especially with the technological advances of these times. It is even possible to animate without the need to use only sequential images (which we will call traditional animation from now on). Especially with the inclusion of 3D, which gave way to other types of animation techniques (such as CGI or the use of bones to animate an object).
If you are interested in knowing more than just the definition of animation. We invite you to stay and continue reading, as we bring a series of very interesting informative data on the subject.
How to make 2D animation?
We are going to proceed to discuss the most relevant and important types of animation that every creative or fan of animation should know. And we will start this with 2D animation, which could be considered as the oldest and pioneer of this art.
However we will focus more on digital 2D animation. Well, the traditional one (With the use of static images). We already commented on it previously, so we see it as more useful to know what are the modern techniques for animating in 2D. To begin with, 2D animation replaces the use of images by digital vectors. Which can be altered or modified according to the needs of the animator. Although vectors can be animated by making complete step-by-step drawings. The truth is that it is also possible to animate using the “bones” technique. Which allows you to animate the individual parts of the object (for example, if it is a person, it would be each of its extremities). To then assign each part a bone. Which, if it moves, will drag that extremity of the drawing with it, thus generating the sensation of movement.
It is worth mentioning that this technique is very good since it saves the animator from having to completely redo the drawing, because if a movement maintains the same angle as the previous one. It will be enough to move the bone to where we want to achieve the desired effect.
And what about 3D?
Although 2D animation is great and for many it turns out to be their favorite style. It is undeniable that since the appearance of 3D the world had to fall before its feet, because the addition of one more dimension (depth). It gave way to the creation of impressive works and animated realism.
A couple of decades ago it was unthinkable that something could be animated in 3 dimensions. And although 3D animation started on the wrong foot (In its beginnings CGI was not very good). To this day, the technique has been polished in an enormous way, with great exponents of the style such as Pixar. Those who with his works have demonstrated the power and potential that 3D has in the field of animation.
If you wonder how 3D animation works, it consists of creating a 3D model, which is endowed with a skeleton. And following what was previously explained, the skeleton will allow the animator to move each part of the character. Functioning something like a mannequin, to which you can adjust the positions as best suits us. This technique in 3D is properly called “rig character animation” and the process is known as rigging.
With what programs or software to start animating?
To conclude this article, we want to mention some of the animation tools that we know and that we best recommend if you want to start in this world. We will provide a list with software to animate in 3D and others in 2D, depending on your interest…
- Autodesk Maya (3D).
- Cinema 4D (3D).
- Blender (3D).
- Unity (3D).
- Anime studio pro (2D).
- Krite (2D).
- Illustrator (2D).
- ToonBoom (2D).
If, on the other hand, you want something extremely simple to start creating simple animations. We recommend two more tools which are:
- This is proper vector drawing software, but it also has animating functions.
- Pivot Stickman Animator. A simple software to animate stick or stickman characters.