When your business or advertising needs call for 3D animation services you'll need to communicate and collaborate with an animator. As with other specialties, the 3D animation profession has its own terminology. The more familiar you are with the language of 3D animation, the easier it will be for you to effectively communicate your goals and vision to the animator and to understand the technical references he or she may make when discussing your project.

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Aliasing and anti-aliasing

You've probably seen aliasing--it looks like a jagged stair-stepping along the edges of an animated object. This distortion occurs in a digital image when more work is needed to create a smooth transition between highly contrasted edges. Anti-aliasing gets rid of these jagged artifacts. Oversampling, supersampling and filtering are anti-aliasing techniques used to accomplish this.

I recommend: To see an example of aliasing and its anti-aliasing fix, look closely at the examples on the Geek Girl website.

Subsurface scattering (SSS)

Animators use SSS to make skin look soft and real or to make other organic materials appear realistic. SSS conveys the sense that light is penetrating a surface and giving illumination to its inner layers.

I recommend: To see the effects of SSS go to the Blender Foundation.

Keyframe

In an animation sequence, a frame in which a significant transition occurs is called a keyframe. In creating digital effects, the animator must define a minimum of two keyframes and, if the animation is complex, might even define as many as 100. Keyframes enable transitions such as a gradual color change or an object that slowly appears or disappears.

I recommend: There is a good article about keyframes on the Videomaker website.

Storyboard

A storyboard is a planning tool that creates a timeline for controlling animations. It provides you with an idea of the animation's projected look, movement and timing. Often made up of still shots, an animation storyboard can include music or dialog to create a sense of the intended final product.

I recommend: You can read more about storyboards at The Regents of the University of California website.

Dynamics

Dynamics is a branch of mechanics. It explains how masses move as they are influenced by forces and torques. Increasingly, the physical laws of dynamics are being applied to animations. Incorporating dynamics produces very realistic-looking animations.

I recommend: You can find links to many technical articles on this topic at the Physics-Based Animation website.

Texture map

A texture map is actually a color map--confusing, since there are other types of mapping that actually do affect texture. A texture map controls the color of a surface on a pixel-by-pixel basis, rather than by assigning a one overall color value. (A pixel--short for 'picture element'--is one of the thousands or millions of tiny dots that make up a computer screen. Each pixel can be one color at a time.)

I recommend: You can learn about texture mapping at WebReference.com.

A range of industries use the art of 3D animation at some point, if not every day. 3D animation is the process of animating objects in a three-dimensional space. It involves creating models that can be rotated and moved as if they were real objects. 3D animation is used in several industries, from the entertainment business to the medical field, and many businesses in between. Thus, having 3D animation software, or access to a company with it, is crucial for most companies.

The 3D animation provider you choose will depend on your industry. Most 3D animation software is divided into the following three categories:

1. The justice system uses 3D animation software in the courtroom.

2. The entertainment industry uses certain software packages geared towards video games, TV shows and movies.

3. The marketing and commercial industry has a need for certain animation programs, as well.

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Choose an appropriate 3D animation provider for courtroom video

If you are in the justice field, you know that 3D animation is often used in courtroom presentations to show what might have happened in a particular case. Many times cases hinge on the 3D animation video presented, so going with a quality software or company that can develop the video for you is important.

I recommend: High Impact offers 3D animations for cases involving anything from the medical field and fires to accidents and environmental issues. Hayes & Associates also provides such videos.

Find 3D animation programs that were developed for the entertainment business

Many movie studios and video game companies alike use 3D animation programs heavily in order to create animated films, detailed action sequences or video game characters and environments. You have several choices of software programs when checking out animation programs specific to the entertainment industry. Houdini is known for its great animations, and has been used in recent animated films. Maya is another popular program that you can find in any 3D animation directory, as many movie studios use this software constantly.

I recommend: Side Effects Software sells Houdini. Autodesk offers different versions of Maya depending on your needs, including a free version that you can use to learn the best way to animate.

Use 3D animation when marketing your company

Whether you are working with a studio or are doing much of the work on your own, you will likely use animation when creating TV commercials for your company. This will spice up your commercial and make it more memorable for your audience. If you want to learn more about commercial 3D animation, information abounds online. In fact, you can find a 3D animation list of software or companies that create commercials on the Internet, along with specialties for each program or company.

I recommend: CG4TV can add 3D animation to your company commercial. JS Enterprises can also add creative 3D animation to your commercial.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most 3D animation software requires up-to-date computers, so make sure you have the minimum requirements before purchasing a particular program. The requirements are typically listed at the bottom of the page after the product description or on the software box.

3D animation is a big part of marketing strategies and solutions for companies across the globe. 3D animation is often embedded into web pages and catches the eye of a potential customer because of the graphics seemingly jumping off the page. These interactive 3D graphics can really boost sales if implemented correctly.

Take the time to learn the basics associated with 3D animation so that you can see how it might fit with your business goals. Here are some helpful resources to get you started. Think of your tutorial as 3D animation for beginners.

1. Find 3D animation software and familiarize yourself with the many capabilities it may offer your business.

2. Enroll in courses that provide beginners a tutorial in 3D animation.

3. Locate a 3D animation list of companies that create this content for business around the United States.

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Learn about 3D animation information by browsing through software programs

3D animation programs and software provide many solutions to businesses with an Internet presence. From viral marketing to creating interactive graphics, puzzles, games and informative diagrams, 3D animation allows content to jump off the page right at the website viewer. Learn about the many applications that 3D animation software offers and see how it might be implemented into your business strategy.

I recommend: Visit the website for Anim8or.com. They provide a free software download of their 3D animation software. Reallusion.com also offers a demo and a comprehensive overview of the 3D software products they sell.

Educate yourself by taking a class in 3D animation

There are many courses that teach people how to utilize and integrate 3D software into their business marketing strategies. Take these courses to learn the basic tools of creation and implementation of this art form. Then design materials and content that fit the scope of your business using the 3D animation tools you've just learned.

I recommend: Check out the website for 3D Training.com. This offers a myriad of beginner to advanced courses that detail how to use and create 3D animation. The website for Compumatix also offers lists of 3D animation courses that are offered.

Skim through a 3D animation directory and find companies to work with developing content

Locate a 3D animation provider by reading through lists and directories of companies that provide these services for other business. By browsing their websites, you can get a sense of what kind of content they've created, how they've implemented it along with their clients' marketing strategies and if it has been successful overall. Then decide which 3D animation company is right for you and your business needs.

I recommend: Visit the websites for both Dmoz.org and Classifieds1000.com for a 3D Animation directory of companies that specialize in that arena.