Animation has been an effective medium for decades to channel creativity, showcase freedom of expression, and capture imaginative storytelling. 3D character animation services for mainstream cinema started in the late 1970s. However, it wasn’t until 1995 that the world saw the first completely computer-generated feature-length production with the release of Toy Story. Although many people often associate 3D animation with children’s movies and cartoons, in reality, it has been used everywhere, from TV commercials to action films and from action-packed video games to VR content.
Common types of 3D animation
Many viewers also think that every 3D animation they see is computer-generated. It is true to some extent because the modern animation production process involves adding visual and sound effects using specialized computer software. However, there are several different types depending on how it is made.
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CGI (computer-generated imagery)
When people mention “3D animation,” they most likely refer to CGI content, which is indeed produced on computers. In some cases, the production is completed entirely without conventional cameras. All characters in a CGI animation are digitally modeled in 3D CAD software. The models are then fitted with a “virtual skeleton” to allow the animators to configure the character’s movements. If the characters are derived from real-life personalities or animals, the animators can build the skeletons based on known anatomy.
The complexity level increases when the characters are imaginary, such as fantastical creatures and extraterrestrial lifeforms, or if the figures should display an unnatural range of motions. An animation sequence is built by posing the character on specific keyframes, after which the computer calculates and interpolates movements between those frames. 3D animation professionals can set as many keyframes as necessary to achieve the desired animated scene.
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Stop-Motion Animation
Many 3D animated contents are created using the stop-motion technique. Instead of using computer software to interpolate movements, animators arrange photographs of physical objects or characters in a particular sequence and record them correctly to create the illusion of motion.
The production process is time-consuming because 3D animators must capture numerous photos of the character in different positions for movement fluidity. If a particular scene involves multiple characters and background objects, all the poses and positions must be properly synchronized in every frame. Stop-motion animation comes in a variety of styles:
- Claymation: the most widely used stop-motion style is claymation. Characters and objects are 3D modeled from clay or synthetic modeling compound (like Play-Doh) because the material is easy to manipulate. Some claymation characters use metal skeletons inside the characters for sturdiness. Popular claymation animations include Bob the Builder and Shaun the Sheep TV series.
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- Action figure: 3D animators use ready-made items for the characters and objects. Action figures that have plenty of articulation points are popular choices.
- Cut-out: all characters and objects are hand-drawn on paper or cardboard. 3D animators cut out the drawings and use them to build a scene frame by frame. Moving characters are constructed from individual parts (such as head, arms, and legs) connected by thin armature wires, usually aluminum. Every scene is recorded from above.
For the “action figure” 3D animation style, it is possible to use Lego mini figures despite the limited range of motion. Custom-built puppets with skeleton rigs also make for excellent alternatives, especially when creating unique characters is needed.
Rotoscope Animation
Cheaper and quicker to produce than CGI, rotoscope animation is based on live-action footage of a character. The animator projects the footage onto glass panels and traces over the sequence. When the traced images (or only the necessary frames) are played back, the animation is as smooth as it is realistic. Animators can superimpose another face or an entirely different character over the frames.
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Interactive Animation
An extension of CGI, interactive animation incorporates artificial intelligence into the video. It allows viewers or users to control characters and objects in the digital environment. Modern video games are obvious examples of interactive animation.
3D CGI animation production process
Of all 3D animation types, CGI offers the broadest range of capabilities in the most practical production process. Everything is computer-generated, as the name suggests, so it hardly needs any physical object or real-life character to build an entire scene in any duration. Stop-motion and rotoscope have their appeals, but CGI does everything the alternatives can achieve and then some. Take Appleseed Alpha, for example; it would take years to build every battle scene in the movie with stop-motion.
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CGI and 3D character modeling services excel at recreating a world filled with minimum interactions and is even better at creating a vast and complex scene with stunning details. The creation process of 3D CGI animation is comparatively practical, but it is not simple. It is a complex undertaking that necessitates a massive deal of artistry and technical know-how. The workflow can be divided into three major phases listed below.
Pre-production animation
All 3D animation, regardless of the duration, is meant to convey a message through a story. The pre-production phase is where ideation and storyline creation take place, and it consists of multiple steps as follows:
- Ideation: every animated content starts as an idea. Before anything else, the animators (or their clients) must decide what the animation would be about and how to communicate the message.
- Storyline: the message is delivered through a story. The basic foundation of the animation, including characters and their interactions, is determined at this step.
- Scriptwriting: besides the dialogue, the script must contain notes about the environment, timing, action, and characters’ movements.
- Storyboarding: the script is transformed into a comic-like format to depict keyframes, including facial expressions and plot progress.
- Design: final concepts for character designs, costumes, background objects, sounds, and visual effects come to shape.
By the end of the pre-production phase, the project’s scope of work should be clear already. 3D animators will then be able to make a hypothesis on the expected completion time and cost. All the steps determine the job requirement; any significant changes to the script or character design concept risk disrupting the subsequent processes.
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Production Animation
The visual elements of a 3D animation take shape during the primary production phase. There are also multiple steps, including:
- 3D layout: it is a 3D version of storyboarding. A 3D layout is filled with simple animation, and the characters are only basic geometries without any important detail. It functions as a sample to showcase what the characters do and when.
- 3D modeling: the characters receive all the details necessary to make them photorealistic. An important step is “texturing,” in which 3D character modelers apply colors, materials (for costumes), skin tones, and surface properties. Without texturing, the 3D models will be in flat colors.
- 3D rigging: the 3D models or characters cannot be animated without rigging them first. The process involves creating virtual skeletons inside body parts to facilitate movement. Think of it as giving “articulation points” in an action figure. The most significant difference is that a smooth animation requires the character to have a realistic range of motion. Even tiny parts like the eyes and lips must be rigged. A complex character with notable features, such as tattoos or wrinkles on the face, is more technically challenging than a generic one.
- 3D animation: characters are positioned and posed only in key frames. The animation software interpolates movements between the frames. Motion fluidity and accuracy depend on how well-designed the rigging is.
- Rendering: when everything is ready, the 3D models and background objects are rendered in a standard video format.
Although the rendering is automated, an animator or a render company must configure the lighting, shadows, camera angles, and the background scene to achieve the best possible realism effect.
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Post-production animation
There are some final touches before the animation is ready. Typical steps in the post-production phase are:
- Compositing: the rendered animation may require additional visual effects, such as stage extension (editing process to make the scene look larger), background replacement, and color polishing.
- Sound effects: music, voices, and noises come last and are synchronized with the animation.
- Export: the composted render is again exported into a ready-to-play video format.
3D animators may have to provide deliverables and discuss progress with clients during all three production phases. Setting deliverables in a specific timeframe helps avoid potentially labor-intensive revisions.
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Cost of 3D character animation services
The hourly rate of 3D design studios specializing in character animation in the United States typically falls between $100 to $200. A 3D character animation freelancer in the USA typically charges between $35 and $70 per hour. It might not sound like much for an animation, but you must also consider the turnaround time. A high-quality 3D animation with a 60-second duration can extend to 9 weeks to complete, and a significant portion of the period is reserved for 3D modeling and 3D animating tasks.
However, the actual cost always depends on project size and complexity. Suppose the 3D character animation work only requires the creation of a character and animation without any background scenes and special effects. In that case, the turnaround time should be quicker and the price cheaper. Simple 3D animation with basic movements is also more affordable than its fast-paced counterparts. For example, a 3D animated video of a cat walking on a tile floor is easier to make than a cat chasing a mouse in a cluttered basement.
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| Service Provider | Hourly Rate Range (USD) | Turnaround Time (Estimated) | Complexity Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Animator Studios | $100 – $200 | 9 weeks | High |
| 3D Character Freelancer | $35 – $70 | 9 weeks | High |
| 3D Character Freelancer (Simplified) | $35 – $70 | Varies | Medium |
| 3D Character Freelancer (Basic Animation) | $35 – $70 | Varies | Low |
How Cad Crowd can assist
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