An animator creates movement from still images or models, using drawings or computer software. They can work in video games, film and TV, and advertising. Technical skills, creativity, and teamwork are important, and there are various software programs and specialties within the field.
An animator is someone who creates a sense of continuous change or progressive movement from still images or models. An animator might, for example, work with drawings, like the original Disney cartoon artists, or with clay animation, like in the Wallace and Gromit films. A computer animator creates digital animations using computer software.
There are several fields in which an animator can work. The video game industry is one, and most games employ not just one, but an entire team of animators. Film and television production is, however, where most computer animators are employed. Even live-action movies can include 3D rendering and motion capture. Advertisers also employ animators, as animation has become an increasingly important part of certain television and Internet advertising campaigns, including talking geckos, for example.
A computer animator, sometimes called a CGI animator, uses a combination of modeling and computer graphics to create the appearance of motion for 2D and 3D graphics. The field is constantly evolving, so the animator needs to keep up with ever-changing technology and software. This is true whether the computer animator is self-taught or has completed an academic program.
There are a variety of software programs that a computer animator is likely to work with. Lightwave 3D, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Softimage and Autdodesk 3ds Max are examples. Proprietary software often used as well.
Since computer animation is often part of a complex team effort, there are skills other than technical prowess that will serve an animator well. In addition to design, computer literacy, and technical proficiency, all the skills that help people work together will be important, especially in the midst of a tight production schedule. As computer animation is constantly pushing boundaries, both creative thinking and the ability to work well under pressure when things don’t go so well the first time are important.
Computer animators may have specialties within the field. For example, an animator might specialize in textures or lighting. Other specialties include modelling, compositing, character animation and general animation.
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