Friday 8 February 2013

Maya





Autodesk Maya 2010 software is the first release to unify the Autodesk Maya Complete 2009
and Autodesk Maya Unlimited 2009 feature sets, advanced matchmoving capabilities,
and high dynamic range compositing into a single affordable package. Also included for a
complete CG workflow are 5 additional mental ray for Maya batch rendering nodes and the
Autodesk Backburner network render queue manager.

Cinema 4D







CINEMA 4D’s intuitive interface and logical workflow make it possible for those new to 3D
artistry to dive in and be productive quickly. CINEMA 4D’s state-of-the-art architecture
means it is always the first to benefit from new technologies and advancements For those
artists whose work demands more than the basic application, MAXON provides numerous
seamlessly-integrated modules.

LightWave 3D



LightWave is a complete modeling, rendering and animation system. Used extensively in
broadcast television production, film visual effects, video game development, print graphics
and visualization, LightWave is responsible for more artists winning Emmy Awards than
any other 3D application.

SoftImage



Softimage is a 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing solution optimized
for artist efficiency. The Autodesk Softimage 2010 release boasts accelerated performance,
greater data handling, the Autodesk Face Robot facial animation toolset,
as well as new tools to help manage scene complexity.

3D Studio Max



It’s a tool of choice for quickly generating realistic characters, seamless CG effects,
jaw-dropping games, and top-quality film and television content. Enhanced toolsets
enable you to create your 3D environment the way you want, manage complex scenes,
and take advantage of improved software interoperability and pipeline-integration support.

An Introduction to Computer Animation

 
Just what is computer animation? For decades, animation has been a trade that rested solely in the hands of the entertainment industry; the process required a great deal of time, manpower, and complex equipment to accomplish. However, with the ever-growing movement to computerize the industry, the animation process has become progressively simpler. What was once done with pencils, cels, and paint by a team of dozens of animators can now be accomplished by a single person with a powerful enough home computer and the right software.


The term "computer animation" itself broadly covers a wide variety of genres and applications, though the simplest way to break it down is into the categories of 2D and 3D animation. "2D", short for "two-dimensional", is sometimes also called "vector animation", and is typically done in programs like Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Director. The most familiar form of 2D animation can be found just by turning on your TV on a Saturday morning: traditional cartoons, which are progressing more and more into the digital realm. You probably see simpler animations every day just while surfing the web, in the form of advertisements, E-cards, and cartoon shorts. Vector animation is also useful in designing interactive interfaces for the web.

2D animation, true to its name, is rendered in a two-dimensional space. 3D animation, however, is rendered in a virtual three-dimensional space, using polygons captured by various virtual "cameras" to "film" the animation. 3D animation has a variety of applications, from video games to animated films; most commonly, 3D animation is used to render many of the special effects seen in live-action films, removing the need for scale model sets or staged stunts.

While both types of computer animation can be accomplished by either frame-by-frame animation or by mathematical interpolation between key frames, the initial steps prior to animating are drastically different; the two separate processes also require different software packages. With that in mind, the tutorials provided here have been grouped into the categories of 2D and 3D animation, before being subdivided by skill level to walk, step-by-step, through the basics of creating your own animations. The 2D animation tutorials cover animation in Flash and Director/Shockwave, while the 3D animation tutorials work in 3D Studio Max.

2D Animation

The creation of moving pictures in a two-dimensional environment, such as through "traditional" cel animation or in computerized animation software. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps. The eye can be "fooled" into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at a rate of 24 frames per second or faster.