Adrien-Luc's Animation Blog

I've mentioned before that sometimes my old animation school friends and instructors meet up for late-night coffee, which turns into rousing debates on the topic of animation. The last time this happened, the debate turned to the topic of art vs. animation, and whether they should be considered separately or together. Some argued that one must have some measure of artistic talent to be able to animate; others argued that with the advent of technology, it's really not that necessary. Others still said it's not the art style or quality, but the consistency of the animation, while still others (hey, we're a large group) said really you don't need any talent other than to be able to trace. What do you think?

• I don't think you need artistic talent to animate.
• You must have some measure of artistry and style to animate.
• It depends on the animation and whether art quality is a factor in the style.
• Not really; computer animation takes care of the artistic part.
• Other/will explain in comments.

Current Results

Last month, I moved from Houston to Chicago. In the move, a rather sad thing happened: my light table, my trusty little Artograph light tracer, died. Not only did the surface crack, but the internal bulb died. I've had that little portable light table since art school, and it's always served me well; now, however, I'd like to replace it with a bit of an upgrade. I'm looking to spend more than the $35 I spent on the original Artograph, but less than $250; I'd still like something portable/lap-sized that I can curl up with comfortably. I've found a few prospects that I'd like to try out, but what would you recommend? What's your favorite brand/style/size of light table for home animation?

Curious how home animation - or any animation - starts off? This tutorial details the basics of creating an animation at your own desk, using just a light tracer, copy paper, a non-photo-blue pencil, and a 2B pencil. Animations aren't created as part of a single frame-by-frame process in which each detailed drawing is fully realized immediately; they start off as rough sketches to capture the motion, which is then refined before detail is added to the drawings. This lesson will show you how to get started on your basic rough sketches.

Like Microsoft Windows Vista, it's possible to purchase multiple version of Adobe's CS3 software packages, depending on the features you need - whether for animation, web, production, business, personal, or a myriad of other combination uses. Some argue that this is confusing, and forces people to get the most expensive Master Collection just to get everything they need - and several things they don't. Others say it simplifies things and allows users to pick up groups of software based on functionality, rather than paying more to buy the software within the group at the separate application price. What do you think about it?

• I think the diverse packages are helpful and save money.
• I find the various packages confusing and inconvenient.
• I don't care either way.
• I don't care because I don't use Adobe CS3 products.
• I don't care because I just pirate the software I need.
• They're doing that? I had no idea.
• Other/will explain in comments.

Current Results

No, I'm not referring to writing a password script in ActionScripting; I'm referring to setting a password on a published SWF. You don't need a password to view it - but you do need a password to decompile it. After the discussion last week about use of others' copyrighted material, I remembered a few articles we have around here about protecting your own copyrighted materials. That includes this one on how to set a password on your published SWFs, to prevent others from stealing and modifying your work.

Traditional animation isn't dead - nor are the tools of its trade. Although different animators have different preferred supplies - and sometimes even create their own innovative tools to solve unique animation problems - there are certain essentials that you just can't do without. This list presents my ten essentials; what are yours?

In last week's poll, the majority said that yes, they do pirate animation software, mainly because it's too expensive. That's often what's said of MP3s, too, which was why Radiohead's "pay what you want" model was so revolutionary and successful. If such a model was applied to animation software, how much would you choose to pay?

What do you think is a fair price for animation software?

• $1-100.
• $101-250.
• $250-500.
• $500-$1000.
• Over $1000.
• Over $9000 (I couldn't resist).
• It depends on what the software can do and what its value is.
• It should always be free.
• Other/will explain in comments.

Current Results

Another knotty issue that comes up with the topic of pirating animation software is the topic of copyright in music and sound effects used in animations. While many produce their own tracks and effects, some just rip music off CDs and copy sound effects from websites, TV, and existing animations - without stopping to check if it counts as fair use, if there's a specific copyright permission for use, or if the owner requires certain permissions before their creation can be used in someone else's work. That's why royalty-free audio is so useful; royalty-free audio can fall into several categories, from expired copyrights that have fallen into the public domain to music that people mix and offer up for free or under a Creative Commons License. This list will point you towards several free audio resources that should keep you out of copyright trouble.

After last week's discussion on pirating animation software and just how expensive the software can be, this is the perfect time to highlight one of our most popular articles: the list of free and trial animation programs. Although they may not offer all the same functionality as the high-end, expensive animation programs, you'll often find a single program that does exactly what you need for basics - at a price so low that pirating really isn't worth it. You can also try out the major software for free before you decide if you want to spend that kind of money.

Recently I've had a rash of readers asking me to send them animation software. Yes, send it to them - take paid, licensed animation software, pack it up in a nice little e-mail (nevermind the file size), and send it to them for free. People have asked me for Flash, 3D Studio Max, Maya - anything they want to get their hands on. The major animation software packages are horribly expensive, and I have to pick and choose what I'm going to spend hundreds or even thousands in licensing fees on. There's a reason I waited so long to upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Flash. The cost is one of them. Other people, though, find a way around the cost by pirating the software via various warez sites, P2P distribution, or even just old-fashioned CD copies. Still others think that's wrong, and will either scrounge to pay for the software or do without. What's your stance on the issue?

Do you pirate animation software?*

• Yes. It's too expensive; how do they expect everyone to afford that?
• Only if I really can't afford it, like the bigger ones. Otherwise I pay for it.
• No. That's illegal, and unfair. The developers worked long and hard on that, and deserve to be compensated.
• No, because I don't want to get caught and pay fines.
• No, but I don't have a problem with it.
• Other/will explain in comments.

Current Results

*Remember, poll results are anonymous. Answering "yes" to the poll will not expose you to legal liability, so it's safe to be honest. This is just a reader poll, not an effort to expose software pirates.