the best book

[andrebranco]

Hi there,

The Best book for animation, is not a book about the software, its about the animation principles, rules, and art of animation.

So, take this tip as if it would be the new key for the apartment you bought and haven't seen yet.

ANIMATORS' SURVIVAL KIT by RICHARD WILLIAMS

Here's the amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0571202284/104-9731915-5983900?v=glance

Take care...

...And good luck on the Animation Amazing World :thumbsup:

Andre Branco
3D53 Class @ Vancouver Film School

[stewartjones]

Like andre said, its not about the 'tool' you use, but the principles, and techniques you use within any animation tool.

Definately give The Animator's Survival Kit a look through, and also check out 'The Illusion Of Life' by Frank and Ollie, the definate animator's bible for sure! :thumbsup:

[r9onaldo]

Also, try the the DVD's, from www.jefflew.com (http://www.jefflew.com) they are great.

[scottiedoo]

I strongly recommend the "cartoon animation" book by Preston Blair. Gives great animation tips and also lots of thumbnails of poses like a walk, run, jump, sneak, and more. Great book with great refence.

Like andre_branco said, its not learning the software. I would strongly recommend picking up a pencil and paper before jumping into maya. Do some simple animation tests on paper like a bouncing ball to get your feet wet in timing, squash and stretch and all those other important things in animation.

Animation takes a lot of practice. Take a look at some other peoples animation, study it, break it down and it will give you some good ideas.

Best of luck!

[Chris Bacon]

I recomend the book 'animators survival kit by richard williams' it helped me when I wa starting....when I was doing animation in collage I used Maya like you are and I just wanted to know how to use it and when I got to university I found myself getting bad marks becouse I relied on it for too much..take maya away and I wasnt as good as I though....what Im saying is learn to animate first...then it doesnt matter what aplication or tool you use wether its a pencil or a p.c. you'll be able to produce good solid work.....

by the way look at

www.simplymaya.com


it helped me get started...good luck....

[Chris Bacon]

Also look at Acting for Animators and timing for animators....there by the same auther....but Ive forgot his name....

[Chris Bacon]

vyntax....you info says animation mentor student....is that animationmentor.com your refering to...

[scottiedoo]

Vivec, yes he is doing animationmentor.com if you look go to his website you will see. Someone already mentioned the animators survival kit.

Acting for Animators is by Ed Hooks which is a great acting teacher. However, this book does not teach you about animating, it is mostly about different thought processes when animating a character to portray different emotions and to bring out more personality in your animation. A little advanced practices for someone who is just starting out in my opinion.

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