Discover the Key Differences Between 2D and 3D Animation - Computer Graphics Guide By Cody Landon

It seems like computers have been around forever. You buy a brand new one then two years down the road it seems obsolete and there is another one more advanced and dynamic to take its place.

In a way that is exactly what is happening with animation. Originally, there was just the 2D animation, which in its time was exciting enough, and in fact still is. Technology stands still for no one so it stands to reason that animation would be included in this aspect as well. As a result along came the 3D animation.

Animation is a broad term and can sometimes be misleading. The term in some ways refers to animated graphics as well. Often people do not broaden their scope of what animation is all about. Many consider animation is another word for cartoons. Think of some other animated movies that you have had the pleasure of watching where physical models have been used. King Kong certainly was not a live version of an ape. Yet look at the movements that he made. The basics are this. Move the model record the image move the model and record the image. This goes on repeatedly.

One of the most successful and powerful animators in his time was Walt Disney. What he accomplished with what he had during his career was amazing. Many of us grew up enjoying many of the accomplishments of this world-renowned animator. It was a joint project in his day to produce an animation. He would do the major drawings, known as the key frames, and then the less important pictures would be done by his staff of in between framers.

One should never think that the 3D animation of today is simply sitting down at a computer and putting in a command and there it is done. The computer is the tool; it still requires a knowledgeable operator. The operator has to be astute in many different areas such as creating the idea, the characters, the storyboard, and the soundtrack just to name a few responsibilities. It is true that there is computer software that is utilized to achieve each of the goals as they pertain to each step. The fundamentals of art still play a large part in it. Without them, the work could never be taken to perfection.

It should not be forgotten that animation both 3D and 2D play a big role in other industries as well. Often individuals who have artistic talents and are intrigued with animation may not have a major interest in cartoon animation. For these individuals there are other opportunities. For example in the medical field, 3D animation is used all the time. Then in the building industry, the new concept is to draft 3D floor plans and architectural plans. With the advancement of animation software that is available on the market today a whole building can be depicted in 3D color. Nothing like knowing what you are going to get before the ground is even broke.

No doubt just as computers, continue to evolve so with the animation software. One has to admit it makes for an exciting prospect wondering what they will think of next.

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A Beginners Guide to 2D and 3D Animations - What is the Difference? By Cody Landon

Many people when they hear the term animation they automatically think of cartoons, yet if they are on the computer at all then they have most likely been exposed to animation. This does not mean they have been watching cartoons when they were suppose to be working.

Animation is not just restricted to cartoons. Nor is there just one type of animation. The common and current one that is popular today is 3D animation, but many of us adults grew up with 2D animation. Which by the way in my opinion was just as much fun as it is today, but perhaps a lot more work by way of manual labor. That did not deter the love of animation that was so evident in those Saturday morning cartoons.

Animation is an illusion. Not meaning it does not exist it means that you are making the viewer think that a particular object is moving on his own. Like when Mickey Mouse waves to his admirers at the end of a cartoon. Originally, in 2D each time an object was going to take another position no matter how slight it had to be hand drawn that way. No doubt, the finished project was comprised of many drawings. These were put together in sequence called frames, depicting one movement to another.

As technology in the industry grew so did animation. Along came the computer and within a short while the 3D animation became a reality. The animation industry embraced this new form of art and as a result, what took many people to accomplish was now cut down to a handful or less. The computer had the capabilities of doing much of the work. In case you are thinking that there goes the computer replacing people this is not the case. What it did do was offer the opportunity to have greater tools to produce a better job. There still has to be the operator of those tools, and that is where the animator comes in.

In fact, the inception of 3D animation may have opened the door for many other job opportunities. Being as 3D animation is now used in many other industries, not only does it need an individual to design it, it now needs individuals to present it.

All animation has one thing in common it must start with an idea or concept. Then this idea is put to a storyboard. Here this is where the idea is now in a visual state. The basic script has now been designed. Now it has to have an audio track still in rough form created. This stage gets a little technical as it uses a method called vector graphics, which is dependant on mathematical equations as opposed to pixels.

If one had to summarize very quickly the difference between 2D and 3D animation, the simple answer would be the tools that are used to achieve the results. The original 3D animation first utilized stop motion techniques, then as the computer moved into play it became 3D computer animation. The same job being done just more cost effective efficient and motivated.

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Top 20 Animated Cartoons of All Time - What Made Them So Good? By Cody Landon

If you were to ask many people what their favorite productions were no doubt each would have their own individual lists. You would be surprised at the number of animated ones that would be included. So if who ever said that cartoons are for kids? They are something that touches the hearts of the young and old for either gender.

So why is there such a big interest in animation? What is there about them that make them so popular? These are important questions to the producers of animation because knowing the right answers to it is what makes it a box office hit.

In the Top Five:
It should not come to any surprise that the 3 Shrek movies each held a spot with Shrek 2 (3D) was the ultimate. Then Finding nemo came in as 2nd and the Lion King 3rd. Much of the reason for the fame of these top five is due to the excellent story they each told. In addition to the major stars that were casted for it.

In the Top Ten:
The top 5 is followed with the Incredibles, Monsters Inc. Toy Story 2, Cars and Aladdin. These 5 all had one thing in common is that they were all done in 3D. By the look of the list it would appear that, the 3D animation is favored and lends to the overall success.

In The Top Fifteen.
Here you will find Ratatouille, Happy Feet, Ice Age: Meltdown, Madagascar and of course Toy Story. One again all 3D and each possess a great storyline.

The Rest of the Top Twenty:
Finally we have the Simpsons Movie, The Polar Express, Ice Age, Beauty and the Beast, and at the bottom on the list but no less significant is Tarzan. Although The Simpsons movie was a 2D,but its claim to fame came because of the well known and liked television series.

Of all the factors that make a cartoon successful probably the most important is the storyline. This is followed by the jokes. People have enough negativity in their life and they want to laugh a little. Then the cast has a special part in boosting a cartoon up in the ranks as well. Its them that makes it compelling and interesting. The characters must be unique and memorable as this is what the audience relates to. This is what makes the proper casting for voice over so important. Then when all of these factors become combined with the 3D technology, it is bound to be a hit. Any cartoon that can sit amongst the ranks of the top 20 has certainly earned its way getting there by combining all of the necessities we have pointed out here in the right combination.

Overall, when it comes down to the best critics, it is the kids. You can bet if the kids like it and the parents second, then there a new cartoon on the road to fame. It comes back again to our claim that age plays no real factor in the audience of a successful cartoon.

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What's the Buzz With 3D Animation - The Future of Animation and CGI By Cody Landon

You many have noticed recently that the kids are far more interested in doing their homework and of course, most of it is done by utilizing the computer. In addition, you must admit you are impressed with some of those finished projects, and the presentation is really something. You did not realize that the little one was so artistic.

Well it really comes down to just how powerful the internet really is. As for that, 3D animation that you have dubbed as your child's artwork is really due to high tech computer software. That does not mean that the youngster was not creative in his choices.

You may be concerned that the technology we have today is making our kids and ourselves for that matter lazy. Actually, it has some major benefits. One we mentioned already and that was holding the interest of the student. We all have to admit if we have state of the art tools to complete our tasks with then we do not mind near as much doing them.

The 3Danimation that we mentioned earlier is a marvelous stimulus. It spurs young people into creative problem solving skills, utilizing their imagination as well as patience and logic. You have to admit that by conventional methods to get children to this point takes a whole lot of work

Do not underestimate the power of the computer to create very viable career potential. By the 3D animation for example stirring the interest, it may lead to further interest in studies, which could lead to a career in this industry. The animation industry fully realizes the growth potential in this field and knows they are going to need the professionals to achieve it. It must be remembered that the computer does not produce results on its own, there has to be an operator that is very adept at telling it what it has to do. This is where the professional animator fits in.

3D animation raises interest in the visual arts. In reference to 3D computer animation, the software has to be intricately learned in order to achieve the desired results. Perhaps if you or one of the young ones in your family is developing a keen interest in this field you could encourage them to pursue it deeper.

Once you find that the interest is remaining alive, and they have mastered everything there is to learn about the free software then you may want to consider stepping up to a little more of a complex program.

You have to admit it is a great alternative to sitting in front of video games all evening. Then on the other hand one never knows the budding artist may very well be the next person to come out with the newest, hottest all time adventure video game to hit the market. That is just one of the many uses of 3D animation. It certainly has come a long way since those much-anticipated Saturday morning cartoons.

3D animation is an extremely interesting field, but it must be remembered it is not all fun and games. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication to become a 3D computer animator. Alternatively, for that matter any type of animator.

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Read This Before Starting a Career in Animation - 3D Animation and 2D Graphics By Cody Landon

Let us assume you have always enjoyed sketching and doodling. Your creations have often brought a smile to the face of many. Then you may well be on the road to a career in animation. Mind you, there is a lot more to the picture we have just given. To begin with there are many sectors of animation that one can specialize in. For example, there are job opportunities in the major media like television and film. Then there is the new world of the internet and CD-ROM. Several more opportunities can be added to the list as well. To make it even more interesting within these major categories there are sub categories when you can really take your specialty to the limit.

If you have a budding interest in this field then you are probably aware of the terms 2D and 3D animator. Do not be fooled into thinking that 3D has replaced 2D. It is the very skills of the 2D animation that has made 3D possible. There is no indication that 2D animation will become outdated.

Most of the developed skills of 2D animators have come through life drawing and compositions. These have been the two leading factors but these have been combined with other elements as well such as studies in proportions, structure, lines of action and of course basic anatomy. An understanding of how and what makes us move can lend to the success of a 2D animator. As if there were not enough skills involved to the list, we must add slugging, storyboarding, character design and clean up. No doubt if you talk to a few 2D animators, they have some additional duties to add to their regime.

For the 3D animator you can add all of the above plus a few more. The focus for this area centers on modeling, texture and lighting as in fits into the scope of the 3D environment. They fast learn how to get the most out many of the software packages available to them in their line of work.

The storyboard artist has to be one of the most creative individuals in animation. They are setting the foundation for the story. They must have a great imagination and superior visualization capabilities. Then they must be well structured in order to maintain the continuity. There are often positions open for assistants here but most often, there is not much glamour at that level of the industry. It is an excellent stepping-stone to move up in the ranks of animation.

Now the layout artist creates the foundation. In other words, he provides the background for the scenes gleaning the requirements from the storyboard. In essence, they are a rough copy of a future work.

Just in case you think, you have heard it all there is one other department that must be given attention and that is the in-between. You should become familiar with this position and its requirements because it is the most likely place where you will have the opportunity to break into the industry.

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