Hello, I've been using my pencil all the time to draw but I'm almost out of HS and I'm looking at colleges to go to. Should I buy a in-exspensive animation software program to know what its really like or should I just stick with my pencil? Would it help me get a jump start on animation before college, should I bother or just wait till college?
Should I stick with my pencil or start usinging software animation?
By Trunksbrando | Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 10:55am
#1
Should I stick with my pencil or start usinging software animation?
you can never begin too early to educate yourself!! Of course it is a big advantage, if you're already used to animations programs or techniques, and for most colleges inevitable.
If traditional animation or a software animation program you've got to decide for yourself. Beside of this, you've got to know that it doesn't matter which option you choose, for both you need to learn hard, and for animation generally, it isn't enough to make nice drawings, but also to have a certain feeling for motion and timing.
Perhaps you want to consider the possibility to do some months of traineeship in an animation studio...?
http://violabaier.blogspot.com/
My thought is, do both. Being able to use both a pencil (pen, marker, colored pencil etc.) and a digital pencil are both great skills to have. And really, I think you will find that to be more of the norm in the industry.
At least that is how I see it.
Ontiaous
Black Anvil Designs©
I would hold off buying a 3D program till you get to college and take a 3D animation class. You might find that you don't like it. If you do like it and want to persue animation, then get the 3D program the school uses, even if it isn't the best program. This way you can work at home instead of waiting for lab time, and you can spend more time working on your animation. If you get a different program you'll have to lean it all over again. Most of the major studios have their own proprietary software so they will have to teach you it any way. What they want to see is good solid animation skills and the ability to make your characters act beliveably. In the mean time keep drawing and start doing some animation excercises traditionally, like a ball bounce.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
You could always download the free learning edition of Maya. It's the preferred software in a large percentage of the industry, and did I mention it's free?
www.alias.com
Hey DSB, is that the free version? :D
Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
I say keep using that pencil. If someone offers you an old copy of Flash or 3dStudio Max, or Maya go for it, but make sure you take a look at the system requirements before you buy. So that you are sure the software will run on your unit. Ape's advice about waiting until you know what software they use at your school is wise. Otherwise you can end up learning software that has no relationship to your studies and spending a lot of money on things you won't really use.
Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.
you can get free versions of most of the top software nowadays, I have learning version of Maya, Softimage XSI ModTool comes with Half-Life 2 and is probably available from softimage.com along with a very good set of tutorials, etc. You will never stop drawing but it can't hurt to familiarize yourself with photoshop etc.