[Help] Animation books

#1

Allright let me be really clear. I’m familiar with animation (in 3d) and i’ve been studying a lot by myself and reading a lot of books about it (animator’s survival kit, animation mentor tips and tricks, how to cheat in maya, etc).

Unfortunately i can’t afford animation mentor nor any animation online course at the moment(finishing college and working a lot, no time at all ). Maybe in a few years, but i can afford books and study them in my spare time, of course :slight_smile:

IN SHORT… is there any animation book that covers since the planning until the finished product? I’m in need of a hardcore book to learn everything i can, since i won’t be able to start classes in a couple of years.

In short, i wanna learn everything i can actually absorb without a mentor. Books, DVD’s, Blogs… EVERYTHING.

#2

Hi skychase,

I recommend you read the “Animation Writing and Development” (http://www.amazon.com/Animation-Writing-Development-Script-Effects/dp/0240805496). It is a very good book on how to create an animation from start to end.
It doesn’t show you how to animate. It shows you how to write and develop a story from the beginning to the end. And you can follow some good blogs like Victor Navone’s, Carlos Baena and Brendan Body. These guys are excellent animators and are always posting interesting tips about animation.

Hope it helps you!

#3

Well, you’ve got the Survival Kit, which is nice, though a bit too ‘techy’ at times. I also like:

New edition: http://www.scribd.com/doc/7582342/Preston-Blair-Cartoon-Animation

  • Character Animation Crash Course, by Eric Goldberg: describes the entire process, very readable. Great tips and advice from the man who animated the genie in Alladin. A good companion to Survival Kit, in a sense that it provides a different take on more cartoony (modern?) animation.

  • Creating Characters with Personality, by Tom Bancroft. Nice book about the character design process.

  • Jason Ryan’s awesome 2d to 3d character animation tutorials - starts with the bouncing ball, ends with very sophisticated animation. http://www.jasonryananimation.com/main.html
    As a current iAnimate student with full access, I can say these really rock.

  • The next step, more advanced (still too advanced for me, but very informative nonetheless): Jason Ryan’s webinars. Only medium to advanced animators need apply :wink:
    http://www.jrawebinar.com/

  • Acting for Animators, by Ed Hooks. Nice.

  • John K cartoon school: http://johnkcurriculum.blogspot.com/
    And his blog: http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/

  • Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation, by Wayne Gilbert. Very handy for blocking out basic poses.

  • Hollywood Camera Work, great to learn camera blocking, etc. http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.us/mc_index.html

  • Layout and Composition for Animation, by Ed Gertner. Quite like it, composition geared towards animation.

A couple websites:
http://www.carlosbaena.com/anim_material.html
http://splinedoctors.com/
http://www.shaunfreeman.com/animating_tips/
http://synchrolux.com/
http://www.theanimationblog.com/
http://www.awn.com/
http://www.speakingofanimation.com/
http://animresource.blogspot.com/
http://www.drawninblack.com/
http://www.11secondclub.com/
http://www.penciltestdepot.com/
Some software:

  • DJV imaging, couldn’t live without it as an animator. Awesome, just plain awesome for (pre)viewing those sequences and video references. Why would anyone bother to use anything else? And it’s free to boot. http://djv.sourceforge.net/

Blender training I like:

Overall process:
http://www.blender3d.org/e-shop/product_info.php?products_id=105

And of course all the production files of Big Buck Bunny and Sintel. Awesome opportunity to check out the actual work files of two short movie productions. Very helpful, even for non-Blender users.

#4

Woah, i didn’t know i was getting that much feedback, even if its only two people, pretty helpful stuff we got here.

I am SO thankful, thanks a lot guys, i’m definitely gonna buy some of the books you recommended. Jason Ryan’s really got my attention and Creative Crash Course as well.

Thanks a lot for the help, again. You guys rock! :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#5

You can follow the blogs of pixar students too. They show animation exercises step by step, from story board to polish.

A ring
http://hub.webring.org/hub/animationmentorb

#6

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