Hello everyone, I have a question. What are the requirements needed for a digital animator? I'm not talking about the education part, I want to know the other stuff used during a Digital Animator's career like software,and ect. Please for both 2D and 3D Animation too. Thanks!
Will something like this help, at least for 3D? Here's what they're looking for in a 3D game animator (I get job postings through SIGGRAPH), but I think it fits for a lot of animation work. Outlines like this help me plan my education. Obviously, responsibilities depend on experience and skill level.
Job Description and Responsibilities:
• Animate to a variety of acting styles across a range of character types and a solid eye towards principles of weight, timing, and pathos.
• Architect the staging of cinematic moments during game-play through convincing character and object animations.
• Work with the Animation Director and Lead Animator to conceptualize and refine animations in concert with the overall style and vision of the game.
• Assist in the integration of animation with designers and engineers to create compelling in-game animation.
Requirements: Work on a top-caliber next-generation game project that features a strong emphasis on animation performances.
Create high quality key-framed 3D character animation for complex and memorable performances, ranging from humanoid to non-bipedal characters.
Produce these animations at a quality bar suitable for next-generation console development.
• Entertainment/Gaming industry experience. (2 + years relevant experience)
• Strong traditional animation/art background (B.A. or equivalent degree preferred)
• Experience with both humanoid and non-bipedal character animation
• Minimum intermediate-level fluency in 3d animation software (Maya preferred)
Desired Skills and Pluses: - Experienced with Maya
- Proven industry experience on at least one AAA project is a major plus.
- Experience in having planned, scheduled and/or led animation teams in the games industry.
I see.... So, 3D Animators skilled in Maya is more likely to be hired? Besides Maya, what other software does a Digital Animator use?
Ya......but can't we work in something thats free for now......like blender or ani8tor.....i mean we are only 16...
Imagination is much more important then knowledge...
Doesn't Maya still have the free Personal Learning Edition at version 7? Last I checked you could even save, just to a PLE variation of the Maya format. The main cripples are that you can't open other people's files, you can't do super high quality renders, and your workspace and renders have a watermark.
I did a term and a half of school like that. It's annoying and I annoyed some people in the process but it bought me time to save for the program, and it operated just like the real thing enough that my skills would directly transfer over if someone needed me to operate the program for them.
The PLE is still available. Also, students can order programs like Maya at deep discounts from places like journeyed.com.
XSI/Softimage has a basic package that's pretty affordable. I think just about every application has a student/basic/fundamental version.
I hate to call it a money pit, but CG is not a cheap industry. The programs are expensive and you have to make sure your system can handle it. I won't even go into upgrades - ugh!
This doesn't even go into other applicatons like AfterEffects and Final Cut Pro that take your rendered sequences from your 3D package and generates finished, edited, .MOV files.
Being a student, no matter how expensive the program, can save you a lot of money. Use the computer labs, try out all the programs, ask lots of questions, find out what you like and don't like, what other students are using and then make your purchases. I waited 1.5 years before I bought my system.
Studica.com is another good resource.
A great book to look at is Inspired: 3D Short Film Production (Jeremy Cantor, Pepe Valencia).