# animation
This section of my website is a collection of reference notes and guides for getting started with animation.
[[! after effects|You can learn the basics of animating with Adobe After Effects.]]
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## animation overview
- [[history of animation]]
- [[5 types of animation]]
- [[sequential art]]
## animation concepts
- [[sequential art]]
- [[12 principles of animation]]
- [the art and timing of spacing](https://youtu.be/KRVhtMxQWRs?si=rkDNvEsdbRhNu-eW)
- [[five types of motion & easing]]
- [[animating on the ones, two, and threes]]
- [[camera shots]]
- [[frame-by-frame and keyframing]]
- [[keyframes and breakdowns]]
- [[animated type]]
## developing the story
- [[story]]
- [[storyboards]]
- [[framing and blocking]]
- [[animatics]]
- [[character design]]
- [[environment design]]
## presenting the work
- [[lower thirds]]
- [[demo reel]]
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> [!info]+ animation websites
> - [11 Second Club](https://www.11secondclub.com/) for animators to share their work
> - [Cartoon Brew](https://www.cartoonbrew.com/) - everything about the animation industry
> - [Animation Magazine](https://www.animationmagazine.net) - everything about the animation industry
> - [Animation World Network](https://www.awn.com)- everything about the animation industry
> - [Animation Obsessive](https://animationobsessive.substack.com) - newsletter with deep dives on animation stuff
> - [Animated](https://animated.substack.com) - newsletter with weekly stories behind famous cartoons
> - [3dtotal](https://store.3dtotal.com) - tons of books and resources for artists
> - [BlenderNation](https://www.blendernation.com) - Blender and 3D animation
> - [School of Motion](https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog) - focused on motion graphics and VFX
> [!info]+ animation resources and inspiration
> - [ArtStation](https://www.artstation.com/?sort_by=trending) - where the artists show off
> - [Character Design References](https://characterdesignreferences.com/) - amazing site with tons of content
> - [SakugaBooru](https://www.sakugabooru.com)- categorized searchable snippets of animation with a focus on anime
> - [Animation Screencaps](https://animationscreencaps.com) - screencaps from animated films. often capturing multiple frames of a sequence so good for seeing keyframe process
> - [Bloop Animation introduction for beginners](https://www.bloopanimation.com/animation-for-beginners/) - good overview of concepts
> - [Animation Mentor guide to animation for beginners](https://www.animationmentor.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-animation-for-beginners/) - another good overview of animation and industry
> - [Angry Animator](https://www.angryanimator.com/word/) - lots of history and classic technique
> - [James Baxter’s Pearls of Wisdom YouTube playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe9a6mpZ99G7eEjthX4eTaU5WoTkmiFIs) - short notes on different ideas and techniques. lots of good stuff here
> - [Nick Cross - Digital Painting demo](https://ncrossanimation.tumblr.com/post/108123550352/heres-a-background-tutorial-that-was-intended-to) - shows the process for painting a background on Over the Garden Wall
> - [Cinematography of The Incredibles](https://floobynooby.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-cinematography-of-incredibles-part-1.html) - deep dive into how the movie was made
> - [Every Frame A Painting](https://www.youtube.com/user/everyframeapainting/videos) - youtube series breaking down how film works. not specific to animation but should be required watching
> - [Disney animation process](https://disneyanimation.com/process/) - breakdown of how a disney movie is created
> - [Andrea Gerstmann](https://www.youtube.com/c/AndreaGerstmann) - professional TV animator sharing tips and tricks
> - [How to Start Animating Your Characters : 4 Principles YouTube video by BaM Animation](https://youtu.be/ynBENQJBQbE?si=p7eE_3z4_FPVzou6) - a quick-start guide using easing, anticipation, overshoot, squash & stretch
> [!info]+ animation software
> There are a number of animation packages out there. Here is just a small sampling of the most common tools.
>
> **purchase options**
> - [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html) - limited toolset but good for creating both frame-by-frame and keyframe animations
> - [Adobe Animate](https://www.adobe.com/products/animate.html) - 2d animation software (used to be known as Adobe Flash back in the day)
> - [Adobe After Effects](https://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html) - super complicated and amazing software for 2d and 3d animation. compositing system for resources generated in other software
> - [TV Paint](https://www.tvpaint.com/) - professional-level 2d animation package
> - [Toon Boom](https://www.toonboom.com/) - professional-level 2d animation package used to make shows like _Bob’s Burgers_ and _Rick and Morty_
> - [Cartoon Animator](https://www.reallusion.com/cartoon-animator/default.html) - professional 2d animation with 3d tools, rigging, and Photoshop integration
>
> **free options**
> - [Cavalry](https://cavalry.scenegroup.co/)- free 2d animation package for windows and mac
> - [OpenToonz](https://opentoonz.github.io/e/)- free, but complex 2d animation program used by Studio Ghibli
> - [Synfig](https://www.synfig.org/) - free 2d animation
> - [Pencil2d](https://www.pencil2d.org/) - free 2d animation
> - [Motionity](https://www.motionity.app/) - free online animation app similar to after effects
> - [Trangram](https://www.trangram.com)- amazing functional free online motion graphics tool
> [!note]+ motion graphics stuff
> Because motion graphics are a different type of animation beast
> - [Linearity motion graphics inspiration](https://www.linearity.io/blog/tag/inspiration/) - cool motion graphics stuff
> - [Motion Design Principles](https://motion.zajno.com/) focused on UI/UX. really cool to explore. good links at the end
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I'm always looking for more resources to share with students. If you have suggestions, please get in contact.
This [uncopyrighted](https://uncopyright.org/)content is shared freely with the internet.
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tags: #animation #resources
home: [[! animation]]