Setting Up Your Own Studio

When you are ready to begin setting up your studio, try to answer these questions first.

What are my goals? Answering this question honestly will help you to clarify and prioritize your purchases. If all you want to do is draw animation directly in the computer, dont rush out to buy a DV camera, but do consider buying a drawing tablet.

What software do I want to run? This question leads directly from the previous one. Buy only the software you need. In other words, dont change your work to fit the software capabilities; instead, pick software that most closely matches the way you already like to work. And once you pick the software, dont feel compelled to learn everything there is to know about the application. Find what it can do for you and use it for that; its OK to leave other features untouched.

Are there hidden costs? Dont overlook hardware changes you have to make in order to use certain equipment. For example, if you do plan to buy a camcorder but dont already have FireWire ports in your computer, you will need to include the cost of purchasing a FireWire card for your system.

Do I need a Mac or a PC? In most cases, the type of computer you choose will depend on what you are most comfortable with. Beyond this, you will know which computer you need by asking yourself what you want to do with it. Do you want to run a particular software application? In that case, read about the software to find out what hardware configuration it requires. Again, all of the software used in this book runs on either computer.

How much do I want to spend? If the costs are adding up to an amount beyond your budget, look for alternative ways of achieving your goals. Start by looking at the hardware and software you already have. Is it possible to make animation with the tools at hand? If not, do a little research on the Web and look for free or cheap alternatives to the mainstream programs mentioned in this chapter (see Chapter 9).

Digital tools are transforming the animators studio and methods of production. Although not every aspect of this change is for the better, much of it is. In particular, faster feedback, more flexible working methods, and greater independence offer the independent animator advantages over film production techniques. And because many of us already own or plan to own a computer, digital tools are putting the potential for animation production in the hands of many more people than ever before.

I came to animation through the film program in art school, and I loved it immediately. I was attracted to the intimacy and simplicity of working alone and by the limitless potential of the medium. I am delighted and puzzled and infuriated by the enormously complex and often tedious process of creating such tiny works. Amanda Forbis

Money and time

The most common questions I am asked: So do you do every single drawing or does the computer do all that for you? and, How do you not go nuts? Mike Overbeck

Other than your creative impulses and ideas, your most important resources are money and time. You will need money to pay for any computer hardware, software, equipment, supplies, or services necessary to make your animation, and you will need enough time to make the animation.

Although the bad news is that you will always want more money and time than you have, the good news is that you can make compelling animation on almost any budget and with even small amounts of time, because animation is a fairly predictable and controllable process. The key to success is in knowing ahead of time how much money and time you can afford to spend on a project so that you can make realistic plans. In this chapter, I will discuss the main categories of animation costs, present some specific purchasing options, and explain how to calculate the time it will take to make animation. With this information, you will be better able to design your animation to fit your resources.

How much does it cost?

There are five main budget categories to consider when estimating the cost of a project. The first and most important is the computer, second is other computer hardware and related equipment, third is the cost of software, fourth is the cost of supplies, and last is any outside services your project requires (usually related to distribution). Much of the following information is based on products, services, and prices available at the time this book was written. Because the hardware and software tools are evolving, specific items and prices will become outdated. But the basic concepts and categories will remain relevant, and you can use the technical details and prices listed here as a guide to help you understand the functions and relative costs of equipment. When you are ready to make a purchase, do some research (by word of mouth, on the Web, in books and magazines, and by personal testing) to decide what is best for you and to get the best price.

computer costs The two basic choices in computers are the Mac or a PC. The choice between the two should be made according to what software you want to use and which system you feel most comfortable with. It can be helpful to look at a comparison of the main features of the two platforms.

Macintosh PC

• made only by Apple Computer - made by many manufacturers
• runs on one operating system - runs on several operating systems
• works with all major software applications - works with all major software applications
• only a few configurations available - wide variety of configurations available
• cannot custom build own system - can custom build own system
• fixed configurations and fixed prices do not - prices vary depending on configuration, vary from vendor to vendor and on how much building you do yourself
• simple to set up; usually just plug in and go - setup can be complex; may require assistance
• by default, well designed for graphics, - you or a reseller must design a audio, and video work configuration for graphics, audio, and video work

When buying a Macintosh, the choices are fairly simple. You will want the newest, most powerful machine you can afford. All Macs will come with some degree of audio/video/ DVD capability, but more money will buy more power and more features. The only reason to choose a laptop is to work on the road; otherwise a desktop model is the better choice because it offers more computer for your money and has more space for expansion cards. You can make animation on any Macintosh model. The iMac is the home consumer version of the Mac, ranging in price from $800 to $1,400. As of this writing (summer 2002), the cheapest iMac ($800) runs on a 500MHz G3 processor, and includes at least 256MB RAM, a 20GB hard drive, a CD read-only drive, a 56K modem, two USB ports, and two FireWire ports. It comes with the latest version of the Mac operating system, a keyboard, mouse, and a 15£ monitor built in to the computer. The G4 is the professional version of the Mac; it ranges in price from $1,700 to $3,500. At this point, the top-of-the-line G4 runs on two 1GHz G4 processors and comes with a minimum of 512MB RAM, an 80GB hard drive, a 56K modem, a DVD/CD read-and-write drive, two FireWire ports, two USB ports, and an Ethernet port. It comes with the latest version of the Mac operating system, a keyboard, and a mouse. You will need to buy a monitor separately for the G4.

Buying a PC system is more complex because there are more options available. Again, I would recommend a desktop system over a laptop system. Beyond that, the basic choice is between buying a ready-made system and building your own system from parts. You can ask a dealer to put a system together for you, in which case you would rely on the dealers expertise and parts in stock to help you design your system. A dealer also can sell you a support plan so that you have technical help if you run into trouble. Buying a system through a dealer is a good choice if you are not confident about working with computers. At this writing, one good option for a ready-made system is the Compaq Presario. The Presario price depends on how it is configured, but for about $1,300 it includes a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB RAM, an 80GB hard drive, a 56K modem, a DVD read-only/CD read/write drive, USB and FireWire ports, and an Ethernet port. If you are technically confident and inclined to build your own system, you can potentially save money by putting your own computer together. But you will have to troubleshoot your system by yourself. Here is a list of the main components you might find in a PC. This list is only a guide to help you understand what goes inside a PC; it is not intended as a buying or building guide. If you are planning on building your own PC, do some research and ask questions. There are a number of resources on the Web and in books to help you with the process; one good one is.

From the back cover:

Stevens book is more than just a technical how to do it book. It is a how to think and create animation book, and it should be required reading for every animation filmmaker. -Tom Knott, Director of Recruiting, Warner Bros Animation and former Director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival

For more details about this title including a full table of contents and order information visit: www.focalpress.com

Also available from Focal Press, Secrets of Figure Creation with Poser 5 by B L Render. Read an excerpt now!