Choosing the right software for character animation

When you are just beginning to work with animations and yet to decide the best software to accomplish your work, then it can be difficult to make a choice out of all the animation software programs out there. With certifications animation design Singapore, you can begin to master the craft of character animation. Whether you prefer to work in 2D or 3D, these are some of the most widely used software for character animation:













2D character animation

Adobe Flash: This is the most commonly used 2D animation software, since it is quite easy to use and is also less expensive than many other animation programs. There are animators who don't like the fact that it is vector based because it tends to have that flash-look, but if that is not a problem for you, then Adobe Flash is definitely worth it for 2D character animation.

Adobe After Effects: Although basically an editing software, After Effects is also a great choice for 2D animation. After Effects gives you great control when creating rigs for 2D, and using the puppet tool is very convenient and intuitive.

Toon Boom: Toon Boom has a great range of animation packages for both beginners and veterans. It offers a user friendly set of animation programs that has advanced rigging systems, effects and camera tools. If you are comfortable with vector based programs then Toon Boom can be a great software at a cheap price which helps you achieve most of your 2D animation needs.

3D character animation
Bryce: If you are a beginner looking for a fairly easy program, then Bryce may be the thing for you. Great for environment modelling, it also offers character animation features now. One of the oldest programs around, Bryce may be great for beginners but advanced animators may not find enough challenges or thrill with this one.

Poser: One of the best programs for 3D character animation, Poser has been around since the mid 90s and still packs a punch. It helps you quickly animate 3D character with its library of human and animal meshes. Although this may not be the ideal program for those looking for a more complex software, it still is one of the best and relatively easy program for beginners.

Blender: While Bryce is for beginners, Blender is for those looking for something advanced. Blender offers top notch features that any animator can ask for and most importantly, it is completely free. It takes up less disk space and has a great online community and a vast number of tutorials.

Maya: One of the more complex programs, Maya is among the best when it comes to animations. With its brilliant interface, simulation features, and the motion tracking tool, Maya should be your go-to 3D character animation software if you're looking for an advanced program.

These are just a few of the programs for animations, with several more available in the market. While price and features may vary, it ultimately depends on the animator's needs when it comes to choosing software for character animation.

Essential Steps to Designing an Effective Infographic

It goes without saying that blending visuals with text packs a more powerful punch than just text alone. No wonder, infographics have become such an important and effective marketing tool for modern businesses. Research shows that the production rate of infographics increases by one per cent every day. The use of infographics boosts web traffic and the audience find them more engaging because visuals are more readily received and remembered by the brain compared to mere text. While a graphic design programme will teach you the basic of designing an infographic, following a few steps will help you create infographics that are really effective.

 

• Research and Gather Data

In order to make a successful infographic, you must know and research the topic really well. You also need to see what has been previously done on the topic and what new you can bring to the table. If you are putting in specific details about your company or any other data, make sure they are accurate and have been placed at significant places in the infographic. Designing infographics can seem intimidating at first. If you're new at designing infographics, Pinterest is a great place to check out sample infographics.

• Think Out of the Box

Novel ideas are always better than tried and tested ones. One of the most effective techniques to use in infographics is analogy. A simple Google search will help you find several such infographics with interesting analogies. For example, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions uses a food analogy to show how boogying fuels content creation. The main aim of your infographic should be to educate and inspire your audience. New and innovate ideas will drive home the point much more easily.

• Keep it Simple

Clutter means confusion. Opt for a simple style with a limited number of fonts, a consistent colour scheme, and stick to one style for the visuals. Incorporating too many elements will confuse the audience and your message will be lost on them.

• Storytelling

Your infographic shouldn't be just a collage of text and visuals. It should tell a story and all the elements should be connected to the main narrative. Your audience should be engaged and interested right from the beginning.

•  Mind the Size

Size plays a very important role in where your place your infographic. Since infographics are mostly about visuals the width should be no more than 735 pixels and the length should be limited to 500 pixels, otherwise resizing can play havoc with your visuals. Having a standard size makes it easy to share as well as hold your audience's attention.

• Optimize and Share

Your infographic will reach no one if you don't share it. Infographics can drive a lot of traffic to your website or blog so make sure to add share buttons as well as optimize it for better viewing on all devices and browsers.

A graphic design programme can teach you the nitty-gritty of an infographic. Combining creativity with accurate data and information to design infographics can bring in more leads for your website and business.