I want to make animated music videos for a bunch of songs I’ve made, just for fun and to learn. I’m curious about what role what software might play in the process. What I have installed is:
- Final Cut Pro (have used previously)
- Motion with mObjec (have used previously)
- Blender (have not used at all, just installed)
- DaVinci Resolve (have not used at all, just installed)
- Mari3 (have not used at all, just installed)
- Houdini Apprentice (have not used at all, just installed)
What I think might make some things easier:
- Poser (not tried)
Many of those seem to cover the same ground. What I am curious about how to make bits and pieces with them and, for instance, get camera angles synced in the final result. I am assuming I will have some 2D backgrounds where I would like to insert 3D objects and have them behave consistently with respect to possible camera movements in the 2D backgrounds. Also what I assume might be happening is inserting Blender/…/? 3D objects into Motion for “decorating”. I can also see myself mixing in some live action sequences.
I am just starting to learn all of this, but I’d really like to hear from those who already have these things covered. So what’s your process, and what (kinds of) software do you think I should use for which tasks? I don’t assume my first video will be Pixar quality, but rather closer to South Park with the occasional 3D elements. Probably the best case would be something along the lines of Barbie animations my daughters used to watch when they were 6 years old, but I am assuming even those will take me a couple of tries (read: years) to achieve.
I understand there is a lot to learn, but I’d rather learn usable things right from the start. I’d also rather not spend any more money on software, but I could consider a couple of 100’s, if it’s clearly worth it.
Cheers, and I really appreciate all comments,
Kim
Final Cut Pro is for editing the actual video. this can be post production. but for a more professional feel i advice you either use Premier pro, or after effects. (but i prefer after effects because u can integrate 3d assets)
blender is for 3d art, so this is for the actual animation. if u are doing 3d animations. i personally do 3d backgrounds, e.g. buildings and surroundings.
you would need a 2d animation software. i suggest toonboom, clip studio EX, photoshop, or animate CC. i use for the other parts of my animations.
music can be added in post production.
u need a story board software, or a drawing software so i suggest clip studio EX, photoshop, storyborder (Mac), toonboom storyboard
this is all i know, if u have more specific questions i can offer more help.
and i'm sorry to say this but you would need to spend money, because you need to learn to use the standard company software, you can't just learn any software, especially if you need to work for a company or want to learn to produce quality work eventually. all software is hard to master so pick the best.
I'm throwing in a real example of where I'm currently: I have a photo of a person writing on a blackboard. I would like to rig that photo so that I can animate it. The arm would be writing movements and the body would "follow". I've just installed OpenToons and I'm trying to figure out where to start.
i'm not sure how you can rig an image. but you would need to start again.
you would have to draw the charcater standing upright. (just search for tutorials for rigging, it's not hard)
you could also create a character for the skateboard so it is easiar to move that around. (if it does move)
but from what you are telling me, starting all over would be the best approach. if you can seperate the character from the background, that would be good cause you won't have to draw the background again. but if you want to animate the character you would need to start again.
I apparently screwed up with the reply...oh well, it's down there...
Thanks for the tips, I'll look into those. I'm not that great at drawing, but I can get a story together and at least first I would be interested in using third party objects to make something out of it. As it stands now, I've done the core content as well as effects with Apple Motion, and "singing heads" with CrazyTalk, and I've mixed the bits and pieces together using FCP. Works well for my purposes. There's no real 3D or 2D animation involved yet, though. Looking into it.
I am doing this purely for fun and learning, my day job is in another industry. Hence I guess my only constraints are how much money I want to put into this, as well as using what actually makes sense for each task. During these couple of weeks I've seen that there are loads of alternatives to most aspects of the process. It's kind of overwhelming to start from nothing when you need to have something by the end of the process. Well, there's a first time for everything, and this is mine :-)
I try to stay clear of Adobe stuff, their subsrcription model really irritates me.
Cheers,
Kim