How and From Where to Learn to Make Animations

Whether you are a complete beginner looking to start your journey in animation or an aspiring artist seeking to refine your skills, learning to make animations can be both exciting and challenging. Here, we explore the best ways to learn and get started in the world of animation.

Selecting Learning Platforms

For those looking for free and comprehensive resources, YouTube is an invaluable tool. A multitude of channels offer detailed tutorials that can help you get familiar with the basics and beyond. If you prefer to invest a little money, Brilliant is a great option with an extensive range of courses, including animation.

Building Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is where you showcase your skills, creativity, and passion. Start by learning some free software like Blender, Unity 3D, GIMP for photo editing, and VLC for movie editing. Use these tools to create small animations and then share them on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Simply create a Facebook and YouTube account, upload your work, and share it on social media.

Key Concepts and Storyboarding

To succeed in animation, it is essential to start with the basics. Understanding the foundational concepts and planning through storyboards will set a strong foundation for your animation journey. Here are some key steps:

Concepts: Developing the core idea of your animation. Storyboards: Creating a visual outline of each scene, which helps in organizing and planning your animation. Character Modeling: Creating characters that will bring your story to life. Texturing, Shading, Lightening, Shadows: Adding depth and realism to your characters and backgrounds. Camera Angles: Understanding different perspectives and angles that can enhance your animation. Rendering: Bringing all the elements together to create a final, polished animation.

Practical Tools and Resources

To get started, have a pencil and some tracing paper on hand. The first step is to decide whether you want to focus on 2D or 3D animation. Once you have decided, research which software best suits your needs. Here are some popular 2D and 3D animation tools:

2D Animation Tools: Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, Dragonframe. 3D Animation Tools: Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, ZBrush.

Lastly, it's crucial to build a strong foundation in drawing. If you have a tablet, get a pen for it and a software compatible with your device. Learning the basic laws of animation will make it easier to transition to complex CG software. Remember, animation is a difficult skill to master, so be patient and persistent.

Conclusion: With the right tools, resources, and a bit of practice, you can turn your passion for animation into a reality. Start small, learn from the best, and never stop creating and improving. Good luck on your journey!