To Learn 3D Animation, You Need To Go Back To Basics
In order to learn 3d animation you first need to learn to draw. Although 3d animation is produced on a computer, generally the computer is only as good as the artist operating it. To get a job as a 3D animator, you will need great drawing skills along with great computer skills and knowledge of different types of software. You will also need to master all four major aspects of 3D animation: modeling, textures, animation and rendering. The first step to mastering 3d animation should be to hone your artistic skills with a pen and paper; there is no better way than by constantly drawing. Every interview of an animator that you might read will undoubtedly mention the thousands of hours they spent drawing when they were kids. Don’t be tempted to take a crash course in 3D animation as it won’t teach you half the things you need to know.
Once you are happy with your drawing skills then it is a good idea to produce some short 2D animations. This will teach you about shot composition and lighting. The best software in the world isn’t going to be able to teach you how to light a shot. One great way of learning this process is to study old Disney films frame by frame. Freeze a frame and copy it and pay attention to the subtle lighting and shading, trying to work out why that camera angle was used. Once again the more time you spend with 2D animation the easier it will be to master 3D animation and create some great demo reels.
Once you have mastered the drawing and 2D animation you can then start to move onto 3D animation. The first thing to do is to choose the software you want to use. Obviously you won’t be able to use advanced tools like Pixar’s RenderMan, and affording some of the other state of the art programs are outside most people's budget. But with lots of research you should be able to afford some good software that will allow you to start creating some 3D animations.
The final step in learning 3D animation is to completely master whichever software tool you have chosen. You need to know what every function and feature does, along with every plug in and module. There are going to be some parts of the process that you won’t like as much as others. Many people find the modeling and the animation processes far more fulfilling that the texturing. However, you need to be an expert at all parts of the 3d animation cycle. If it is your dream to learn 3D animation and go on to work for some of the big animation studios, you will need to be an expert. Work towards that status by setting your sights on leaving college as one of the top animators in your year.
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