A few words about animation.
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. It 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. 3D animation or three-dimensional animation is a newer kind of art that relies in the use of computers to create characters and object in a three-dimensional environment. These characters are created within the computer and manipulated through various computer tools. Then the images are printed on film or video media. In order for someone to create 3D characters and animations he or she needs to use a 3D animation software and a computer. Though most studios producing animation today are using proprietary software there are numerous off-the-shelve 3D packages in the market that someone can use if he is interested to produce 3D animation work. They vary in the level of complexity and features, and though some are very easy to use others have an almost impossibly hard learning curve for a beginner. It is widely accepted that one should know the basic 2D animation principles before getting involved and expecting any results from any 3D animation package.
This list includes only packages that can take you from modeling to final rendering and animation. There are many other packages out there just for modeling ( like hexagon or Rhino ) or just for rendering ( like Render man ) but this lens only presents the ones that are providing all the needed tools to finish your movie!
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 t-shirts via his store www.teeteaser.com
MAYA
The Big Industry Player
Maya is a high-end 3D computer graphics and 3D modelling software package, originally by Alias Systems Corporation but now owned by Autodesk under its Media and Entertainment division. Autodesk. It is often used in the film and TV industry, as well as for computer and video games.Maya comes in two main versions, Maya Complete (the less powerful package) and Maya Unlimited. Maya Unlimited is now priced similarly to other 3D programs, but used to be considerably more expensive.
For more information please visit the Autdesk Maya web site
We are mainly using MAYA at my studio in Greece.
SOFTIMAGE XSI
The Other Big Industry Player
Softimage XSI is a high-end three-dimensional 3D computer graphics application developed by Softimage, Co. It is used predominantly in the film, gaming and advertising industries for the production of 3D environments, characters and scenes. It is consider the main rival of MAYA.Three different versions of the software have been developed by Softimage to cater for the differing needs and budgets of users: Foundation, Essentials, and Advanced.
For more information please visit the Softimage web site
Feature Though productions, the company I working with as a consultant and Creative director mainly uses Softimage for their 3D needs. Their short film Haptics created in softimage XSI has won the Hollywood Discovery Award.
3D MAX
Big in Europe
3ds Max is a full-featured 3D graphics application developed by Autodesk Media & Entertainment.3ds Max is one of the most widely-used off the shelf 3D animation programs. It is mostly used by video game developers but can also be used for pre-rendered productions such as movies, special effects and architectural presentations mainly in Europe.
For more information please visit the 3D MAX web site
HOUDINI
Special Effects and Particles.
Houdini is a high-end 3D animation package developed by Side Effects Software. It is often preferred over competing packages, such as Maya or XSI, for pure visual effects tasks, as opposed to character animation. However, in more recent versions animation tools have been vastly improved and it has been used in the various feature animation productions. Houdini is the most expensive high-end 3D computer graphics package available today with a price tag of 17000 dollars.For more information please visit the Houdini web site
CINEMA 4D
Affortable Power.
CINEMA 4D is a commercial cross platform high-end 3D graphics application produced by MAXON Computer GmbH.It is noted for being very easy to use and artist friendly among high end 3D applications and having not only a very flexible interface but also stable performance. Four different packages have been released by MAXON that cater to different needs.For more information please visit the Cinema 4D web site
LIGHTWAVE
King of TV Effects and Animation.
LightWave was one of the first high profile industry standard 3D packages that packed many featurs not available for the same cost in other conpetitive packages. Its market ranges from hobbyists to high-end deployment in video games, television and cinema. Lightwave remains one of the most inexpensive packages that has it all.For more information please visit the Lightwave web site
ANIMATION:MASTER
Unexpensive but Powerful
Animation:Master is a 3D character animation package by Hash, Inc. Animation:Master was developed for and is targeted towards independent artists, so the workflow is designed to allow one artist to create a rendered animated piece from start to finish. Unlike most of the other packages Animation:master is not using a polygons for modeling and has it's own proprietary spline based modeler and animation engine. Animation:Master is possibly the less expensive package besides blender which is free. You can find more info at the website.I do own a paid version of Animation:Master but I never end up using it. The version I have I bought at the LA siggraph conversion in 2006 and I need to have the CD in the computer in order to work the program. I found this at least annoying!
CARRARA
The New Kid on the Block
Carrara is a general purpose 3d modelling, animation and rendering package published by DAZ. The program was based on the discontinued 3d packages Infini-D and Ray Dream Studio but recently has seen an increased interest and a on growing community of users. It features a full set of modelling and animation tools at a price that is competitive with rival packages.Carrara 7 is sold by Daz 3D content & software for 549 dollars. Please visit Daz for more info.
I also own a copy of Carrara 3 at my Greek studio. I have used this software to model some of the interiors of the submarine for the Paramount production "Rugrats go Wild". After modeling the meshes were traced to hand drawings.
TRUSPACE 7.6
Caligari's free powerhouse
Here is another software package that offers a complete modeling, texturing, animating, rendering solution to 3D enthusiasts, llustrators, animators, researchers, teachers, architects and design engineers. Truespace 7.6 is offered for FREE since July 2008 and it's loaded with professional features that you pay good money elsewhere. Visit their web page and download the latest version, spend some time reading the pdf help files and you are on your way to 3D adventures!BRAKING NEWS: True space now owned by Microsoft is not to be funded anymore and possibly will become discontinued.
BLENDER
It is Free!
Blender is a free 3D animation package that it's recent additions have brought it closer to the high end packages of this list. Blender is now an open source program being actively developed by the Blender Foundation. The amazing thing about blender is that is free. A good start is to download the free program from the Blender organization webpage.I have never used this software myself but I have met with people who have done unprofessional work using it.
REALSOFT 3D
Open design combined with a rich set of features.
Realsoft 3D is a modeling and raytracing created by Realsoft Graphics Oy. Originally called Real 3D, it was developed for the Amiga computer and later also for Linux, Irix, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.It looks like the product has more exposure in Europe than in the United States. You can visit realsoft3d at http://www.realsoft.com
COMPARISON
- comparison chart
- If you are familiar with some of the 3D terms and features or you are interested to see details about each programs capabilities then please visit this link.
2D Animation software information
Cel animation software
Some packages are available in Amazon
Great deals on 3D software
Eovia Carrara 5
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009) 
Hash Inc Animation:Master 2006 ( Windows / Mac )
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)
Amazon 3D animation book suggestions
Bounce, Tumble, and Splash!: Simulating the Physical World with Blender 3D by Tony Mullen
With more than 2 million downloads in a year, Ble more...1 point
Introducing Character Animation with Blender by Tony Mullen
Let this in-depth professional book be your guide more...1 point
The Essential Blender: Guide to 3D Creation with the Open Source Suite Blender by Roland Hess
Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suit more...0 points
The Essential Blender: Guide to 3D Creation with the Open Source Suite Blender by Roland Hess
Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suit more...0 points
Bounce, Tumble, and Splash!: Simulating the Physical World with Blender 3D by Tony Mullen
With more than 2 million downloads in a year, Ble more...0 points
The Essential Blender: Guide to 3D Creation with the Open Source Suite Blender by Roland Hess
Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suit more...0 points
Introducing Character Animation with Blender by Tony Mullen
Let this in-depth professional book be your guide more...0 points
Bounce, Tumble, and Splash!: Simulating the Physical World with Blender 3D by Tony Mullen
With more than 2 million downloads in a year, Ble more...0 points
Introducing Character Animation with Blender by Tony Mullen
Let this in-depth professional book be your guide more...0 points
by Nassos
From as long as I remember myself I remember me drawing. My career as an artist expands in more than 2 decades of work in various fields of the visual...
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