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TOPIC: ANIMATION SOFTWARE

Name of School: AURORA POLYTHECNIC COLLEGE

Name of Student: RODGER CYRUS A. CESAR

Table of Contents

1.1-1 Animation Software…………..………………………… 3

Learning Objectives………………………………………………3

Animation…………………………………………………………4

History of Animation……………………………………………..4

How Animation Works…………………………………..……….4

Animators………………………………………………………4-5

2D Animations Software………………………………………6-10

3D Animation Software………………………………………10-13

References……………………………………………………..…14
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Information Sheet 1.1-1

Animation Software

Learning Objectives

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT MUST be able to

UNDERSTAND that:

1. How is Animation works?

2.History of Animation?

3.How the 2d and 3d Animation works?

4.The Different kind of 2d animation software.

5.The Different Kind of 3d animation software.

Animation

“To animate” means “to give life to”. Animations are created from a

sequence of still images. The images are displayed rapidly in succession so that the

eye is fooled into perceiving continuous motion.

History of Animation

In 1824, Peter Roget published a paper called “Persistence of Vision

With Regard to Moving Objects.” This paper describes the phenomenon that

occurs in human vision where an image lingers even after the light from the

source has ceased. This phenomenon make animation possible. This led to

th
numerous “philosophical” toys during the 19 century. These include the

Zoetrope, and the ever famous Flipbook.

How animation works

In the traditional animation process, animators will begin by drawing

sequences of animation on sheets of paper often using colored pencils, one

picture or “frame” at atime.

The Animators

A key animator will draw the key drawings (“key” in the sense of

“important”) in a scene, using the character layouts as a guide. The key animator

draws enough of the frames to get across the major points of the action.

The clean-up animators take the lead and assistant animators’ drawings and

trace them onto a new sheet of paper, taking care in including all of the details

present on the original model sheets, so that it appears that one person animated

the entirefilm.

The inbetweeners will draw in whatever frames are still missing in between
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the other animators’ drawings. This procedure is called tweening.

TV video builds 30 entire frames or pictures every second. Movies are shot

at a shutter rate of 24 frames per second, but using projections tricks the flicker is

in-creased to 48. On some projectors each frame is shown 3 times before the

next frame, for a total of 72 flickers per second which helps eliminate the flicker

effect.

2D Animation

• Computer generated animations, that uses the exact

same techniques as traditional animation.

• The animator has the option to move the body parts

individually instead of drawing the characters over and over.

• Does not require very strong drawing skills.

3D Animation

• Also referred to as Computer Generated Imagery

• Instead of drawing, the characters are digitally

modeled in the program, and then fitted with a “skeleton”

that allows animators to move themodels.

• Body parts are always present and should be taken

into consideration, not like in 2DAnimation.

2D Animation Software

Choosing the right animation software to suit your project

needs can be a tricky process. It’s important to note that there are
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two distinctive types of animation softwares in the market, 2D

and 3D. The type of software you choose will often depend on

your animation skill level, whether you are beginner or advanced

user as well as your specific animation needs.

If you’re just starting out, it may be best to familiarise

yourself with 2D animation as it can be an easier software to

run. Working in 2D will also help you learn concepts such as

storyboarding, which can be a great foundation for 3D animation.

Listed below are some of the best free animation software

programs we could find, available now to use.

1. Pencil

Source: Pencil

Pencil is a free and open-source vector drawing program

for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux that allows you to produce

your own digital comics. The program is based on traditionally

hand-drawn animation techniques that anyone can experiment

with. Pencil is perfect for beginners who are looking to learn

basic cartoon animation principles.

The key function provided in Pencil is the timeline

feature, which allows you to add four different types of layers:

sound, bitmap images, camera and vector images. The layers are

arranged on top of the other by setting keyframes. For example,

your characters can be sketched using your pencil tool in bitmap

format and then inked out by adding a vector layer and using the

pen and fill tool.

The interface is much more straightforward than that of

Adobe Flash and provides a clean and clear platform. Good

quality drawings can be produced using a graphics tablet. The

program also exports to a .FLV file - a great bonus!

2. Tupi

Source: Tupi - Maefloresta

Tupi is a free 2D animation software that is developed by

an open community. This open-source program combines the

traditional frame-by-frame animation technique with tweening to

produce animation. This software is ideal for amateurs looking to

create 2D animation and can even be used by children aged 8 and

over.
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Tupi’s features include basic illustration tools (such as

Pencil, Ellipse and Polyline), an exposure sheet, tweening tools

(such as scale, position, rotation, opacity and color), a preview

player and a video exportation module (AVI, MOV and MPEG).

The software also features an objects library (JPG, PNG, SVG,

GIF) and a Stopmotion Module.

This program is easy to use for amateur or beginner

animators and can be run on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows

operating systems.

3. Synfig Studio

Source: Synfig

Synfig studios is a 2D animation software that supports a

multitude of layers, allowing you to apply gradients, filters,

geometric, distortions, fractal and transformation to your

animations. The program includes a full - featured bone system

that allows you to produce cut out animations with bitmap images

or vector artwork.
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A great included feature is the Synfig Studio’s sounds

support that allows you to sync your animations with soundtrack

using a Sound layer. If you’re a Linux user, you will also receive

full - featured audio editors via JACK integration.

The software is also open-source and cross platform, so

that it can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

4. Plastic Animation Paper

Source: Animation Paper

Plastic Animation Paper is a 2D animation software

characterised by fast responsiveness for drawing, flipping and

doing just about anything you need to! The software is built on

high speed and high resolution input of your tablet so that you

can draw quality lines.

The program features small to large format frames, a light

table, realtime smooth rotation and zooming, cutouts (co you can

easily reposition, scale and rotate), paint, play scenes in

sequences and import videos or frame stacks. Plastic Animation

Paper also features a customizable tool bar and a quick select

marking menu so that you can easily apply your favourite

functions.

The software is currently available to Windows PC and

MAC OS X users and has plans to be available for Linux,

Android and IPad Pro (with pencil).

5. PowToon

Source: Powtoon

Creating animated videos and presentations has never

been easier with PowToon. With over three million registered

users, Powtoon has been used by companies worldwide such as

Coca Cola, Costco, Ebay, Pfizer and Starbucks.

Powtoon is a web based animation software, that allows

you to create presentations by using pre-created objects, imported

images, voice overs and music. Powtoon is the tool to use when

you can’t afford to be ignored, by engaging your audience with

animated explanatory videos.

Anyone can use Powtoon, even if you don’t know the

difference between a pixel and a proxy server! This user friendly

animation software is ideal for creating short videos and provides

them with a professional look and feel. The program is also

available on the Google Chrome store and as an application on

Edmodo.com

3D Animation Software

Creating 3D animations can be a great way to bring your

ideas to life and create quality and customizable animations. In

comparison to 2D or traditional animation, 3D animation has

much more depth and appears more realistic.

Are you interested in 3D animation? We’ve aimed to

help! Below are a few of the best free animation programs if

you’re looking for a user friendly and free 3D software to get you

started!

1. Blender

Source: Blender
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Blender is an open source and free 3D creation suite that

supports the 3D pipeline for functions such as modeling,

simulation, rendering, rigging, compositing, animation and

motion tracking. The program also allows you to edit your videos

and even create games.

For animators who want complete and total control of

what they are making, Blender is the software for you. The

program features a built-in, unbiased path tracer engine, offering

ultra realistic rendering, modeling tools to create, transform and

edit your models, VFX, animation and rigging.

The software has come a long way since first launching

and the makers are still updating it regularly. The program can be

run on Windows, OS X and Linux.

2. Autodesk Maya

Source: Autodesk

Used in most large studios, Autodesk Maya is the

industry standard 3D software made specifically for animators.

With Autodesk Maya, you can learn to animate with the industry

leader in visual effects and animation with no experience needed.

Navigating Maya is easy with a step by step animation

course, helping you learn the basics. Maya is used to create

interactive 3D applications such as animated film, video games,

TV series and visual effects.

Maya is free for students and educators, but don’t worry,

if you don’t fall into these categories Maya also offers a free trial.

The program can be run on Windows, OS X, RHEL and Fedora.

3. K-3D

Source: K-3D

K-3D is a free 3D animation and modelling software,

featuring a plugin oriented procedural engine for its content. The

program supports polygonal modelling and features basic tools

for patches, animation, NURVS and curves.

K-3D also features procedures and parametric work flows

and properties can be altered interactively. The animation

software can be run on Windows, OS X, Linux and FreeBSD.

References

https://www.freelancer.com/community/articles/the-best-free-animation-software-

2d-and-3d-animation

https://www.academia.edu/38786805/ICT_2D_Animation_Module