Animation in general
Animation is generally divided into two kinds: 2D and 3D. 2D animation or two-dimensional animation is the more traditional face of the art form. In the US it is almost synonymous with the revolutionary work of Walt Disney and his studios but it is also known through the work of other incredible artists who have brought to live a wealth of
memorable cartoon characters and heroes. Ranging form the Warner Bross. characters to the Japanese Anime.
The technique utilizes flat drawings created on paper, celluloid transparencies or lately digitally, and works in a two dimensional or flat space. All prospective and drawing problems are solved by hand drawing techniques. A 2D animation is sometimes also called cel animation or hand-drawn animation.
Since there is a big number of available products out there I would only mentioned the ones that package all the feature you will need for a complete animation production.
Nassos Vakalis is an animation artist and illustrator best known for his work for Warner Bross studios and Dreamworks Animation. He has used 3D applications like the ones listed below to also create personal artwork, some of it is offered on teeshirts via his store www.teeteaser.com
USAnimation OPUS
Toon Boom
USAnimation OPUS used to be Toonboom's flagship product. With the passage to the 3d animation it is true that 2D has lost much of the attention but OPUS remains one of the most advance software out in the market that will boost your productivity and stream line any studio requirements. OPUS is marvel in animation technology. Not only it allows you to turn your line drawings to vectors through the scanning module but the XSheet, Camera, Paint, and Scene Planning functions are all merged into one universal "Stage Module". The outcome is a mind-blowing production system will let you blast through production stages, heat up the scene and ignite your own creative renaissance.The software runs both on Linux and Windows machines but be aware that it needs a professional set up in order to make it work the way it is intended.
For the record I have 4 OPUS licenses at my Greek Studio and I have used it in numerous productions including the "Rugrats go Wild" movie.
One of the things this wonderful program was missing was a easy to use pencil test system ( you had to scan your drawing since there was no video capture module ) and a price down to earth!
For more information visit: www.toonboom.com
ANIMO
Cambridge Animation Systems
While USAnimation dominated the Television and direct to video productions Anima dominated the feature films. Used widely in US and Europe this system also packages all the bells and whistles a complete studio will need. It is also one of the first systems that integrates 2d with 3d animation. Starting with pre-production, Animo and its family of associated products address each of the key stages in the digital production process with intuitive, fast and reliable tools. Animo has been designed from the outset with collaboration in mind, both within the studio and among different studios in widespread locations.Animo also packages a great pencil tested module that makes tasting your animation simple and effective.
For the record I have helped creating and testing the pencil tester while working back at Warner Bross. studios during the early nineties. I also hold an Animo license at my Greek Studio.
You can find more information at: www.cambridgeanimation.com
RETASpro
Celsys
RETASpro combines a number of individual programs ( STYLOS, PAINT MAN,QUICK CHECKER, TRACE MAN RENDER DOG, that can work together creating a powerful set of tools for 2d animation productions.The heart of the system CoreRETASs is a tool for carrying out the shooting process in animation production.The tool allows each of the separate materials such as backgrounds and painted cels to be gathered together at the shooting stage to create one scene. Using X-sheets, CoreRETAS HD allows each of the materials to be arranged in the optimum positions and timing for carrying out the shooting with the addition of a variety of production effects.
I have never used this product but I know it is very widely used in the Japanese Anime and Other Asian productions. Now the program supports HD resolutions.
For more information visit the Celsys site at:
http://www.celsys.co.jp
CTP
Crater animation
This is a great package for the studio that can't afford one of the more complex and expensive programs. CRATER or CTP places the full range of cartoon production functions and tools within a unique and intuitive single-interface design.. Yet CTP remains cost-effective and easy-to-use, which means that everyone from the independent artist to the large studio can heighten their production capacity and broaden the creative possibilities. It comes in 3 versions, Pro, lite and Educational.I have a CRATER license at my studio and I have used the program for it's pencil test functions. Which the company even sells independently. For the money, I think 150 dollars, it remains the best pencil test system available.
Right now the web site diverts you to a list of resellers.
http://www.cratersoftware.com
DIGICEL
Flipbook
A rather inexpensive set of tools created by a team of 2D animation professionals. This software comes in 3 versions: FlipBook Lite - FlipBook Lite is our entry-level program for people who are just getting interested in animation.FlipBook Studio - Includes all the features of FlipBook Lite but you get 5 foreground layers and your scenes can have up to 1,000 frames.
FlipBook Pro - FlipBook Pro is a complete, full-featured animation program with 99 layers 1,500 frames.
I have never used this product but their web site suggests a number of people, some of which I have worked with in the past, that recommend it.
For more information visit: www.digicelinc.com
AXA Software
Netguru
This one used to be very popular in the mid nineties but I hardly hear about it today. Last time I checked the company is owned by an Indian group called netguru a leading provider of engineering services and Information Technology services.
I have used this as a pencil test system while working for Rick Rich animation studios.
For more infor visit: ,a href="http://www.netguru.com/index.aspx">www.netguru.com
I have used this as a pencil test system while working for Rick Rich animation studios.
For more infor visit: ,a href="http://www.netguru.com/index.aspx">www.netguru.com
Animation stand
Linker systems
According to the animation stand site: Animation Stand is the leader in cross-platform tools for professional, cost effective, easy to use computer-assisted 2 1/2D character animation, compositing and film quality special effects.Other key features of Animation Stand include, multiplane camera control, automatic cel painting, 3-D shading, audio editing, production cost reporting, and easy output to film, HDTV, video, QuickTime, and files.
I have never used this product myself but the web site offers a free limited resolution version 256 x 192 of their software for free.
Visit: www.animationstand.com
Pencil 2d
Blendernation
Pencil 2d animation is an open source program created for traditional animation. Though I have never used this program myself it looks like it pretty simple to use and most of all it is free!Visit their website for a free download:
www.blendernation.com
Learning Animation
Great books about the art of animation
We all started here...
Don Bluth's Art Of Animation Drawing
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 10/13/2008)
The Animator's Survival Kit
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 10/13/2008)
The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation
Amazon Price: $47.04 (as of 10/13/2008)
Great Animation cells and drawings at Ebay
Collect the art you like for pleasure and investment!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
