Safety Animation

[AnthonyBreder]

I was recently delegated by my team to work on the safety animation award for the 2016-2017 season. However, I was the main animator for last year's animation as well (which failed horribly). Does anyone know of any software and/or animation tips that would make this job easier?

[hybrid.helix]

Originally Posted by AnthonyBreder

I was recently delegated by my team to work on the safety animation award for the 2016-2017 season. However, I was the main animator for last year's animation as well (which failed horribly). Does anyone know of any software and/or animation tips that would make this job easier?

Define "easier". Why did it "fail" last time?

[AnthonyBreder]

Originally Posted by hybrid.helix

Define "easier". Why did it "fail" last time?

Last time, I made an animation in scratch and screen-recorded the video. Looking back on it, the animation didn't have good motion to it and the graphics were subpar.

[hybrid.helix]

Originally Posted by AnthonyBreder

Last time, I made an animation in scratch and screen-recorded the video. Looking back on it, the animation didn't have good motion to it and the graphics were subpar.

Screen recorded? What did you use? Virtually all animation tools have an option to render out the animation properly. As for motion & graphics, are you talking 2D or 3D here?

[Awesomegamer235]

Originally Posted by AnthonyBreder

I was recently delegated by my team to work on the safety animation award for the 2016-2017 season. However, I was the main animator for last year's animation as well (which failed horribly). Does anyone know of any software and/or animation tips that would make this job easier?

Last year we used iMovie and we mighty be using some programs from adobe. I would also recommend adobe premier or adobe after effects

[jbotte]

Are you trying to make a 2D or 3D animation?

[1fish2fish]

My team tried Maya a while ago, which failed pretty miserably. Don't use high-quality animation programs if you're not familiar with them. This year, a team member with a drawing tablet brought it in and we're trying stop motion, which can be drawn on any program and pieced together on iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. I recommend this, as stop motion doesn't require animation knowledge (only art skills), and can turn out quite well if done properly.

[ctt956]

Originally Posted by 1fish2fish

My team tried Maya a while ago, which failed pretty miserably. Don't use high-quality animation programs if you're not familiar with them. This year, a team member with a drawing tablet brought it in and we're trying stop motion, which can be drawn on any program and pieced together on iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. I recommend this, as stop motion doesn't require animation knowledge (only art skills), and can turn out quite well if done properly.

Maya is great IMO, but only if you know how to use at least the basic functions. It does have a lot of features, which can be confusing. I don't find it hard to learn, though, especially if you've used other 3D modeling software, such as Unity or any CAD application.