 |
 |
Best App for 2-D or 3-D animation?
|
|
|
|
|
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NYC
Status:
Offline
|
|
I've got a project that'll require animation subject-matter I haven't tried: Hockey; I've done a lot of work in After Effects but that doesn't seem like quite the ticket... Director? Is there anything simpler (cheaper) that'd do the trick? I'd consider going 3-D but with what app--Amorphium is getting good reviews but does it animate or just create elements? Any comments would be appreceated.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Regular
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Seattle
Status:
Offline
|
|
Director's OK for 2D animation, but it's much better at scripted interactivity.. I'd try Flash. It's way, waaay better at vector-based animation and if you want a tiny output file, there's no better way both for cell-based animation or tweened stuff. After Effects 5 can actually do 3D (not sure the formats though). Don't know 3D apps other than 3D StudioMAX (and that's not made for Mac) (gasp! I know). Of course there's always Maya for OS X come September.. 
Btw, Flash is a free download from Macromedia for 30 days. That's the full version for 30 days. Gotta love Macromedia.
-peter, http://peter.neophiliadesign.com/
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Southern CA
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally posted by jffdx:
<STRONG>I've got a project that'll require animation subject-matter I haven't tried: Hockey; I've done a lot of work in After Effects but that doesn't seem like quite the ticket... Director? Is there anything simpler (cheaper) that'd do the trick? I'd consider going 3-D but with what app--Amorphium is getting good reviews but does it animate or just create elements? Any comments would be appreceated.</STRONG>
It really depends on what type of effects you want to achieve. 3D animation may be overkill for your project; I don't know. The best 3D animation software available for the Mac at the moment IMHO is LightWave 6.5. Some 3D artists really like Cimena 4D but IMHO LightWave's toolset and renders are superior which is probably why it's used in more effects studios. Newtek, the company that makes LightWave, also has an entry level package called Inspire 3D which runs in the neighborhood of $400 (LightWave, BTW runs about $2500, but Newtek is running some incredible deals right now). I haven't used the newest version of Amorphium but I tried out the first version from Play and it didn't appeal to me much. There's some free 3D software available on the web I believe. One is Strata 3D and the other I know of for the Mac would be Pixels 3D. If you're running Linux take a look at Blender.
2D animation software might be good enough for what you're doing. Director 8.5 Shockwave Studio is supposed to have some 3D capabilities. Flash is really good if you're going to be presenting this project on the web.
Good luck!
|
|
Who'sDaMac?
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NYC
Status:
Offline
|
|
Thanks guys for the useful posts; Some Flash follow up:
A. Is Flash an appropriate tool for animation other than web-based? Are there advantages besides its tiny output file size?
B. Is tweening found in other, more broadcast-oriented animation packages (besides After Effects)?
C. Is Cell-animation only for experts or is there an App I should look at?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
Forum Rules
|
|
|
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
