3D animation. Animation in three-dimensional graphics. Animation by keyframes: from point A to point b

3D graphics and animation - mandatory components of a modern visual series. Whatever the project is - virtual reality or presentation, information roller or game, infographics or architectural visualization, it will definitely have computer graphics and, almost certainly, animation. In fact, 3D graphics and animation are the basis of today's multimedia space. Do not know how to make graphics and animation, it is meaningless to take into creating interactive solutions or mobile applications, not to mention the rollers and films - nothing good (and in any case beautiful and spectacular) will not work.

Cost of computer graphics

It is worth noting that computer graphics are very different. Hollywood blockbusters often consist almost from one 3D graphics and visual effects, and hundreds and even thousands of specialists make them, they are checked on renderferm buildings and costs all dozens and hundreds of millions of dollars. At the same time, for a high-quality presentation may be quite good mOUCHN design worth less than a million rubles. It all depends on the tasks. In any case, computer graphics should help achieve the main goal of the work - be it a full-length film or training video, and not used in the project simply because it is so fashionable.

The importance of technical aspects

High-quality computer graphics is not only an excellent creative, beautiful picture and realistic animation. There is also a mass of technical, invisible to the viewer of the nuances, on which it depends, for example, the rate of miscalculation of the episodes of the roller on the renderferum. That is, on the screen, the result will look equally, that's just on the production of an episode can easily leave, for example, not two days, and ten, which is often critical. The internal technical aspects of 3D graphics play in interactive solutions, when using Rialtime Render (the same game engines). With incorrectly created models or animations, the mathematical counting of scenes (render) begins to take too much time, and the frame update frequency becomes too low. The spectator perceives this as a twitching image, which is extremely unpleasant to watch.

3D graphics and animation in virtual reality

Computer graphics and animation in virtual reality projects are especially important. Here, just by definition, without them can not do. Moreover, when using VR glasses, not only the realism of the user's perception of the virtual world, but also the well-being of the viewer depends on the quality level of 3D graphics. The fact is that if the frequency of shifts of frames on the displays virtual reality Less than 90 frames per second, then when the head moves, dissonance occurs between the visual and sensory perception (the body moves, and the image is not) and the user "tells". Therefore, in this case, the creation of high-quality computer graphics and animation plays a fundamental role.

Designers and specialists in computer graphics laboratory United 3D Labs will be happy to invite you to our demosal, show the designed projects and discuss your tasks.

Since the cave people have learned how to make rock paintings, humanity has improved the methods of visual display of the surrounding reality. In different periods of history, artists were equipped with new paints and drawing tools, sculptors mastered various materials and techniques, and the theater struck the realism of the scenery.

With the advent of computers, many new ways to build images appeared. Of course, the technology has significantly expanded the opportunities available earlier, including in the field of creating pictures with the effect of movement:

To "stir up" a static image, a program must be installed on your computer to create an animation, about its choice and will be discussed in this article.

A little about animation

In order for the image to be animated, the following conditions must be observed:

  • Several pictures. It is impossible to achieve the effect of motion, having one image at the disposal. Animation is a change of frames, and these frames should differ from each other;
  • Similar picture pictures. If you will consistently change the cat to the dog, an elephant and a giraffe, then get something uncomfortable. Images must have common elements to get a good animation;
  • Speed \u200b\u200bshift frames. If the picture changes once per second, then no effect will be achieved. In order to get the desired result, you need to change the frames for more than 16 times per second.

To achieve the desired result, there are various programs for 2D animations, as well as for working with three-dimensional images. Let's start with 3D-Format consideration.

Programs for 3D animation

Consider some popular programs To create 3D animation.

  • 3D Studio Max. This program Popular among those for whom the creation of animation is not the main activity. Also perfectly suitable for modeling three-dimensional objects in computer gamesoh:

There is a huge number of constantly updating plug-ins and rendering capabilities, but it may be far from any financial reasons to afford everything (legally).

This feature is actively used by the creators of commercials and music clips. Also a pleasant feature is cross-platform.

  • Maya. The program for creating high-class 3D -Inimation, which is widely used in filmmaking:
  • Poser 4. This system The most suitable for modeling human behavior, therefore, it is used both in the development of computer games and in creating cartoons:

Programs for Flash Animation

To accommodate on the pages of the site, animated images must have a small weight (otherwise the resource loading speed will be depressing). Flash technology allows you to "stir" boring pictures in the World Wide Web.

To date, the absolute leader in this area is adobe. offering a wide range of opportunities for developers:

However, not everyone for pocket such a program for flash animation, not to mention the necessary plugins ( in total, the entire package will cost more than 1000 dollars). Therefore, we consider options with the components of the cheaper.

  • SwishpowerFX. This system greatly simplifies the creation of animated text. The main advantages are the ease of development of users and the speed of creating images;
  • Swiff Chart. Program for creating diagrams. You only need to enter the user and select the type of graphics, and the system will make everything else.

Animation of photos

Consider some software solutionsSuppose to make an animated image from a static photo.

  • Adobe Photoshop. Image editing king, which provides the widest range of features:

Adding different animated effects will help make any photo truly alive.

  • Fotomorph. The program whose action is based on morph technology ( transition of one image to another):
  • Photoshou pro. An analogue of photoshop, unconditionally inferior to his eminent competitor in everything, including the price, and this for some already a weighty argument is not in favor of the product from Adobe:

If you compare 3D with other areas of graphics and design, then not only creative people will find place here, but also an avid tehnari, I would even say that creative people will have to face a technical approach - if you compare Photoshop, for example, with Maya, then that's all Equally, to take a couple of pencils with a pen against an assortment of a whole store of goods for the artist. When a large number of materials have to study, I would not want to waste time and from the very beginning, you should choose the best program for creating 3D models and 3D animations.

I used to work in 2D and when the 3D packet was opened for the first time, it was surprised by 5 options for a menu set with a colossal list of various tools, commands for modeling and animation. In Illustrator or Photoshop, one row of the menu and then a small part of its list have grabbed for the main job.

You will be lucky if you immediately sit for that 3D package, which will be used further, in the profession, it will be reappearing for a long time and hurt. First of all, it is worth choosing a specialization and a suitable program for it. Attention should be paid to the well-known and more often used products, it will be easier to find lessons for learning, plug-ins, scripts and the most important thing - work.

The best programs for 3D modeling and animation.

There are a number of programs that successfully perform most of the daily working tasks of 3D, moreover, specific tools are already built into their functionality, for example, for sculpting (sculpting), 3d drawing (3dpaint) and visual effects (VFX). The article is the first 3 3D modeling programs. And I will tell about more specialized programs at the end.

I am an animator who likes to sometimes modify, so I use Cinema4D, Autodesk Maya and Zbrush.

3ds Max - This is the very first package of 3D modeling and animation, which I saw in life. I was 9 years old when I spied as a father studying on teapots, spheres and cubes. Then it seemed to me uncomfortable use of orthogonal cameras when there is one, promising.

This program choose modulators, interiorners and those associated with industry and architecture. On the this moment The most common package of 3D modeling among all. Many new versions of plug-ins and render engines go under it earlier than under other programs.

The main advantage in modeling is the presence of modifiers, thanks to which you can lay the geometry changes and to delete in the future, change or reduce the effect of the impact of the modifier you need to object. Releases from the problem with the strengthening history and the inability to roll back changes.


After I switched to as the main program for 3D modeling and animation, especially in Extension 2 Animation tools for Moure-Design (Charm C4D) appeared.

It has a node structure (what does it look like?) And allows you to bind to each other that are not connected in the usual world, for example, by changing the color of the sphere, you can change the speed of rotation around it the cube. Such flexibility of interconnections opens up a lot of options for the use of creative fantasy. Maya use the largest animation studios to create games, cartoons and movies.

Often, new 3D technologies are written first for Maya and only then adapt to other packages, so they work in it as the developer has conceived. It slows down the heavy scenes less in it, and it is well suited for both modeling and animation, there are also VFX funds, but the most importantly "T-shirt" is the leader in the character animation, in fact, because of this, I moved on it.


From this program, I began the development of 3D modeling and animation. Bribes with a simple and convenient interface, many say that it is easier to learn. She enjoys predominantly MOU-designer (Motion Design) and animators that make commercial videos. It is cheaper analogs and is quite actively developing, cauting the backlog in functional opportunities From dinosaurs 3D industry - and. The main charm in Mograph-effectors, which allow you to animate at the same time a large number of objects by performing a couple of movements with the mouse, is great for creating unusual visual effects. Also has several built-in render engines that are well coped with the main tasks of users of this program.

Beach VFX.. If you want to create atmospheric phenomena, destroying objects, tornadoes, storms, flame, smoke and other parametric effects, then you are here. Basically, the work process will be tied to programming and working with Node tree. You can simulate here too, but not so comfortable and pleasant, both in other packages, so it is better to keep another program in the bundle.

- this is the maximum of creativity - best program For high polloneal (Hi-Poly) 3D modeling or sculpting (sculpting). The work process is built so that you have an email piece of clay from which you sculpt the object you need.

Here, too, you can simulate the technique (Hard-Surface), but I, like many others, I prefer to use for these purposes Maya. or Max. In you can create fantastic creatures, animals, people with maximum detail until the skin. He has a unique interface that is very different from everything that is on the 3D market, but over time you get used to it.

To work will need to buy graphics tablet, Mouse accuracy is not enough. The most interesting thing is that it is not necessary to sculpt well to be able to draw well. ZBrush in the composition has ways to simplify initial modeling, similar to real work with sculpture. You can use the frame, set the original volume, bending, cut, blind different parts. It is a mandatory part of the process of high-quality character modeling.

Be prepared for a large number of information and the continuous improvement of your skills, in 3D often the same things can be done. different ways And the correct one that will solve the task faster than everything.

What we have?

So, if you want model buildings, equipment, details, create interior design, then start your way with.

If you worried by the price and difficulty of studying 3D, and in the future you want to be a mosen-designer and create commercialsthen for you suitable Cinema 4d..

If you not afraid of long training and want in the future engaged Personal 3D Animation, Game and Cinema AnimationHowever, possess all the features for full 3D modeling Put.

For those who want to go to deep specialization in 3D VFX ( visual effects) , configuring every day destruction or whirlwind of a tornado carrying home, create parametric materials

A few years ago, Russian producers of animated films began to think about creating 3D paintings. The first Russian 3D cartoon "Our Masha and Magic Walnut" came out in 2009, and the first large success in this market came to the cartoon "Squirrel and Arrow. Star dogs "released in 2010. 3D serials "Masha and the Bear" and "Fixy" are now enjoying great popularity and even successfully compete with Western children's cartoons. As a result of the rapid growth of the industry, it both ever needs 3D animators.

Professions in the field of 3D graphics are not only incredibly promising and highly paid, but also very diverse: for example, 3D modeling and 3D animation require different skills. About 3D modeling We, this time the Look AT ME understands what kind of skills and talents should have a person who has decided to devote his life 3D animation.

Denis Buiye On the formation and dreams of animators

I decided to become a 3D animator when I was 15 years old. Each weekend for the training channel was shown the transmission of special effects in movies: dolls, green screen and 3D bases. It seemed to me something stunning, magical. Then I started testing different effects with my own webcam bad. Together with my brother, we imitated the explosions or made optical illusions - it was a giant, and I am very small. It is not necessary to have expensive equipment or somewhere specifically to learn to start doing 3D animation. Of course, if you want to work in the industry, you need to rush to understand how to do everything right, but this is the next stage.

In general, academic education is important: you are in faster all you study and get the necessary communications in the industry. Choosing a higher educational institution for yourself, you need to pay attention to the works of students and graduates of this university. But even by enrolling the university, it is impossible to refuse self-education, you must constantly motivate yourself, to work on something, create something new. Each 3D animator requires its own collection of colleagues inspirational work - you need to collect you liketed pictures, keep them in one place, watch them constantly. First, it can inspire your own, and secondly, push the even more active work on yourself: I always want to learn how to do the supermasters.

Ivan Pshonkinabout, that computer
will not help those who have no taste

Ivan Pshonkin

3D animator and director of the "Airplane" studio, working on the animation series "Fixy", participated in the creation of cartoons "Squirrel and Arrow", "Alyonushka and Yerema", "Dunno and Barabas"

My first teacher was Leonid Kayukov, who I am very grateful - he took me to his team of animation on the "Soyuzmultfilm" practically from the street, a drawer. Around 2005, I took part in the project "Masha and Magic Walnut" - from this began my work in three-dimensional animation. At this time, 2D-cartoons were very small, so I had to retrain from a 2D animator in 3D. Now I am the director and animator at the Studio "Airoplan", at the moment we are working on the "Fikiki" project.

Some people about 3D animation think: "Computer for me will do everything." This is not true! It is worth it in mind that 3D programs will not greatly facilitate the animation process. To make a good scene, will have the same as in hand drawn animation, follow the laws, know them, have an artistic taste. In general, now computer animation is trying to get more and more to the hand drawn, and it is great for her.



Cartoon Cartoons Ivan Pshonkin The Devil Knows

It is important to understand that the 3D program, be it maya, 3D MAX or XSI, is just a tool like a pencil or a brush, with which you create your work. Therefore, it is necessary to study these programs well, so that the technical component does not become a problem - there are plenty of courses and literature. To begin with, you should put the program and find training material. Then download the free character (such in the network) and try it to rejoice.

For those who dream to work on full-length cartoons, I note that in the industry, compared with previous years, the emphasis shifted from full meters for the production of serials. The rhythm of production has changed: the work on the full meter is more measured, the series also has a hard time - this disciplines.

Marat Davletshinabout, how important to be
observant and not stop learning and recognize new, even setting up for good work

Marat Davletshin

Animator Assistant At Disney Studio, worked as an animator on the project The Walking Dead: The Game, as well as an animator on the full-length tapes "Smeshariki. Start "and" Squirrel and Arrow "

I studied in a technical school, completely unknown with art. In the last year, I was so passionate computer graphicthat completely abandoned its main classes. With difficulty defended the diploma and began to prepare for admission to VGIK. He began to do his first short meter in 3D, made some tests of characters, locations and posted a short trailer for everyone to review on the CGTalk.ru forum, which, unfortunately, no longer exists. I hurried to finish the film to send it for the entrance exam in VGIK, but suddenly received a letter from the Peter Studio "Als Group", which was engaged in 3D games for slot cars - they offered me a job and studio training. I agreed without thinking. So my professional journey began, I was 19 years old.

Having matured, I went to study in San Francisco, in Animation Collaborative - this is a school of animation, which is right in front of Pixar Studio, artists from there came to us to teach us. Now I have been working at the Disney studio in the role of an animator assistant, in November, our animated Frozen animation film should be released ("frozen heart"). At the same time, I do not stop my studies: workshops and courses for animators are constantly carried out at the studio.

The future multiplier is very important to decide why he chose it precisely 3D: you can use a million other techniques to express your idea, and 3D is one of the most difficult of them, especially if you master it alone. But by the way, I can say that Disney and Pixar do not look at all if you can use the computer when we have to work. The main thing is that your animation is life, originality and an interesting acting game.

If we are talking about a narrow specialization, the profession of a character animator, then 3D is the most flexible tool in the artist's hands, with which you can express any emotion and any feeling by adding artistic style and clean the performance.

A couple of weeks ago, I watched a book tent people choose books. It seems nothing special, but if you look at, you can see the character for each of them. One, important and proud, goes through books without opening them - it is immediately clear that he judges covers. The second is thoroughly read, leafs and keeps the book close to the face, squinting. Probably book worm. The third is talking at all on the phone and goes through the books without looking, apparently, just found, than to take hands during the conversation. An animator should notice this - it should be inquisitive, observant and open. It is impossible to become an animator if you just sit at home and watch the cartoons - so you just start copying what you look. Life boils around us: in the park, in a cafe, at the airport, visiting friends, - this life needs to capture, and drawing an excellent assistant in this.

The animation creation methods are constantly developing, and the developers of games and film studios are constantly looking for talented and creative personalities that these methods can apply.

These are the main types of animation with which digital characters for television shows, commercial applications, company logos, cinema, video or games can be created.

  • Traditional animation.
  • 2D vector animation.
  • 3D computer animation.
  • Motion graphics.
  • Stop mouche.

Traditional animation

Have you ever seen the images that appear how quickly replacing frames drawn on transparent sheets of paper with colored markers? This type of computer animation is called traditional. It is used for preliminary sketches of characters.

This process can be quite expensive and long, since the animators have to create a set of different frames, based on the frequency of 24 frames per second. This method used mainly on PCs, as well as tablets using special computer programsallowing you to create animation in the style of old Disney cartoons.

2D Vector Animation

The most frequently used animation style. Her frames are created on a relatively flat surface. In addition, vector animation adopted some of the traditional animation methods. In fact, this is the same traditional animation, except that the processing is used, known as the drawing and painting.

During this process, the animators placed fine transparent celluloid sheets on paper on which animation characters are drawn, after which they redraw them to the film. At the end of the frames with different characters are superimposed on each other, and due to the high transparency of the film, it allows you to create a composition of various elements and characters.

3D Computer Animation

3D Animation is completely different from other animation species in computer graphics. Although they use the same principles of composition and movement, technical methods used to solve a variety of tasks differ significantly. In 3D animation animation, the animator does not need to be a graphic artist. It looks more like a game with dolls than on the drawing.

It is also called the image generated image ( CGI). They arise when computer animators create a flow of images that are coming down together to form an animation. Combining dynamic and static images is performed using computer graphics. The characters created in 3D are displayed in a digital format on the screen, and then combine with a frame, which allows you to animate each model in different ways.

Animation is formed by creating models in individual keyframes, after which the computer performs their "reproduction", interpreting the animation by adding intermediate frames between the key.

In addition, a lot of time goes to work with curves representing various parts of the object at different periods of time. In 3D animations, all the characters must be taken into account, even those who at a certain point in time are blocked and not visible.

The main difference between these animation species is that in the traditional and 2D animation, the artist works with individual frames, while in 3D animations there is always a continuous stream. If it stops, it is perceived as an error. Even when the character remains in place, there is always a continuous flow of frames that creates the illusion of reality.

Motion graphics

Have you ever thought about how promotional videos are created, animated logos, film entry captions and advertising applications? This is done with the help of moving graphic texts and elements, or, as I call it, movement schedules.

This is a process in which the "reproduction" of animated frames is used to create a smooth motion between frames. Programs for "reproduction" of frames support scripts that automatically change the animation to create numerous effects.

3D compositions are created from flat elements moving relative to each other, which creates the illusion of volume. They may also be accompanied by sound effects or music. Such objects are often used in multimedia projects.