Monday, April 11, 2011

What Animation Software Is Best for Your Proposed Use

­We have all been enthralled by animation as seen on film and television. However, the far reaching applications of animation have touched countless other industries. Video games provide an interactive environment for two and three dimensional animation. Animators help model and design buildings, cities, new products and industrial machines. In medical fields, animation is being used increasingly in education and research. Many businesses seek animators to assist with product development and promotion.
"Animate" comes from the Latin root "anima" which means to give soul or life. Animators breathe this soul or life into a static image through movement. A computer animator simply uses software to animate modeled or drawn objects. There seem to be an abundance of software packages that promise such results with new entries into this hot market offering increasing realism and ease. There are two basic kinds of computer animation:
1. Computer assisted
2. Computer generated
Computer-assisted animation generally yields two-dimensional animations such as cartoons. By hand or with computer use, the animator creates the objects in a series of rough frames denoting the primary movement. These objects are then manipulated by the computer to fill the in between frames to give the appearance of fluidity and movement. This form of animation, which we are all familiar with as seen in flip books of our youth, is accomplished much faster with a computer.
Computer-generated animation is modeled in three dimensions, yielding oftentimes very realistic results and familiar to us all through the work of Pixar and DreamWorks. This more complex software allows animators to program objects, allowing them to manipulate mass and gravity. This allows for more complex groupings of objects and characters as they can be programmed to operate individually or collectively. A wave, comprised of particles can ebb and swell with realism.
Given those distinctions, the best software to address your needs would address these considerations directly. There are many "share-ware" or free applications available. These have greatly improved in use and ability with often large on-line communities for support. Programs long associated as industry standards, such as Maya, 3D Max and Poser Pro yield the ultra-realistic versatility we see in the industry leaders but come with an entry price that might be prohibitive to those starting out. One program which has gained traction in Europe is Blender which offers full capabilities, an attractive entry level price and easy manipulation.
It is therefore challenging to answer the frequently asked question: "What is the best animation software out there?" as there are many options and new competitors in this rapidly growing field. For initial use, we recommend one which has an easy interface and the capabilities to handle your desired output. Are you interested in developing two or three dimensional forms? Are you interested in developing interactive games? Ultimately, it is up to you the user. Read reviews of the independent software programs. Download one that is not cost prohibitive- in using it, you will develop a firmer idea of what you need and what you look for in a product.
To help select the best 3D Animation Software visit What Animation Software is best provided by Randy Stuart at How To Do Animation to Learn more.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5890501

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