3D animation is an exciting world for anyone interested in cartoons, 3D animated films, motion capture, 3D modeling, 3D video, game design, or cinema and animated cinema. While your ambition is to join one of the biggest studios, such as Pixar or Dreamworks, or work in an independent studio, in the US or abroad, it is essential that you develop technical expertise in 3D animation software. Feel free to take the help of Essence Cartoon and make it your first preference for a 3d animation studio.
Let's Dive into the article.
3ds Max
Among the most recognized 3D software in the industry, 3ds Max is a must. Its advanced functionalities make it ideal for the development of video games, the creation of visual effects, or for architectural visualization.
You will notably be able to simulate light particles, create parametric and organic objects, create models from data, etc. Regarding 3D animation, the 3ds Max software allows you to work on two specialized tools, designed to bring characters to life. You will be able to create and animate humanoids as well as fantastic creatures.
blender
The advantage of Blender 3D animation software is that it is free and open source. You can therefore freely give free rein to your imagination and embark on the creation of animated films, VFX special effects, video games, or applications.
You can use Blender to design the armature of your characters, and thus create the skeleton that will allow you to define the movements of the different body members and their ability to interact.
Its features are numerous, which allows you to make complete assemblies:
- 3D modeling
- Mapping
- Texturing
- Skinning
- Rigging
- match movie
- rendering
- Etc.
Maya
Particularly popular with 3D animation professionals, Maya has the advantage of offering a customizable user interface, which gives it particularly valuable ergonomics. If Maya has real notoriety in the world of 3D, it is also because it has been used for successful productions, such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, or for Halo video games.
The software works with nodes (or nodes in French), which define the models from their attributes and their constraints. Maya has very advanced features that allow you to create complex video montages.
For fantasy worlds, Maya is ideal because it allows you to create skeletons for winged or quadruped characters. You should know that the software accompanies you in the creation, sometimes complex, of skinning or weighting.
Houdini
Whether it's video games or 3D animation, Houdini adapts to your projects. It works by procedural modeling, thus opening up the universe of possibilities, ranging from the creation of a very detailed map or even a corridor in a spaceship.
Houdini is a very powerful software and adapts to all 3D animation projects. You can, for example, simulate the movement of a crowd by managing the collisions between all the characters, while adapting their movement according to the environment (decor, relief, etc.).
As for the characters, they can easily be animated, with tools integrated into the software which notably manages the rigging.
MotionBuilder
Developed by Autodesk, Motionbuilder software is aimed at 3D animation professionals. Among its many features, it gives you the ability to animate your 3D characters in real-time, whether it's an animated film or a video game.
Its characteristics make it possible in particular to create realistic movements for the characters, to work with a non-linear environment, adjust the movements of the characters with specific tools, or manipulate motion capture data with precision.
Akeytsu
The Akeytsu 3D animation software, by nukeygara, is very easy to use. Designed to meet the needs of 3D animators, it allows for relatively intuitive skinning and rigging. On the tool, 3D animation professionals directly manage the mesh of the skeleton, without the constraint of control or manipulators. It is aimed, in fact, as much at most amateurs who want to embark on new projects, as at professionals in the sector.
Among the key features of the Akeytsu software:
- Simplified skinning and rigging tools
- Simplified management of skeletons
- An image editor based on the project timeline
- A widget to switch between modes
- A curve editor integrated with the 3D viewer
- Automate the creation of motion cycles
Cinema 4D
The Cinema 4D animation software is particularly intuitive. It is aimed at both professionals and beginners who want to get into 3D creation: modeling, texturing, animation, rendering, motion tracking, etc. Among the advantages of the software:
- Its ease of use
- Its easy-to-use interface
- Its stability
- Its procedural workflows
The flexibility of Cinema 4D allows you to create 3D animations in different ways. You can record positional data from your mouse movements, choose between forward and reverse kinematics to create cyclic movements, add muscle systems to conceptualize fluid movements, and more.
Modo
Modo is one of the 3D animation software for professionals in the sector. Its strong point is the realization of modeling in volume and by the surface of subdivision. Rather intuitive in its handling, its particle simulation engine and the possibilities of procedural animation make it a complete tool. There are also features for making 3D sculptures, or the onion skin mode.
Modo also offers data and workflow interoperability to easily generate new creative ideas. The software can be used on multiple types of projects: video games, VFX special effects, film, 3D animation, etc.
Among the main features:
- Modelization
- UV workflows
- Sculpting
- Shading
- rendering
- baking
- Rigging
- Animation
- Special effects
Moho
Moho is a 2D animation software aimed at all animation and video game professionals. Like 3D software, Moho lets you create keyframes from a skeleton, which is a change from other 2D software, which uses more traditional features. Some of the cool features include reducing character joint distortions. It is possible to control facial expressions, and easily rotate a character's head, without having to manipulate each point of its skeleton.
The Moho tool also has physics engines, which will allow you to create realistic phenomena, such as gravity for example. One can easily synchronize an audio file to the mouth movements of the characters, and the software will automate the adjustment of the lips to the sounds. It is also possible to create particle effects within the software itself, without having to carry out post-production work on the image. There are many other features to discover.
ZBrush
Zbrush is an essential tool in the 3D animation and video game industry. Indeed, this software is highly recognized by professionals in the sector thanks to its many features and its performance.
- Sculpt and paint in Morph UV
- XTractor Brushes
- Infinite depth
- HistoryRecall
- Real-time draft analysis
- ZeeZoo
- Curved brush
- Cam Silhouette & Cam View
- Etc.
