No animated production can be completed successfully without the use of storyboards. A staple of animation, they have existed since the early 1930s, when Walt Disney implemented them during the development of its films. Since then, they have become an indispensable tool in virtually every animation company, because they enable animation creators to visualize a storyline, determine the sequence of events, choose production details, and save time and money. Following are just a few of the ways in which storyboards and animatics contribute to the success of any animation production.

Storyboards facilitate brainstorming and creativity.

Storyboards are a series of sketches that outline each of the scenes in an animated project. They include information such as which characters and objects populate the scene, which camera angles are being used, what movement is occurring, what dialogue is being spoken, and whatever other material may be useful. Animatics are storyboards to which have been added pieces of animation, movement, and sound to further indicate how the final product will look.

Because storyboards present the details of each scene visually, they are an especially valuable tool for facilitating brainstorming and encouraging creativity. As animators view the project coming to life through the storyboards, they can more easily identify ways to improve the development of the storyline and the scenes.

For instance, storyboards allow animators to move scenes around to experiment with different sequences. Flashbacks are often the result of such experimentation in an animated production or motion picture. In addition, they allow animators to test different iterations of the animation before large commitments of time and money must be made to producing the finished project. As a result, storyboards give the 2D animation studio the freedom to change how the scenes develop and to try out different ideas. This freedom results in a higher-quality and more carefully crafted animation than would otherwise have been possible.

Storyboards save time and money.

While storyboards foster creativity, they also serve a very practical purpose for 2D animation companies and their clients in that they save significant amounts of time and money. Initially, it may seem as if creating storyboards consumes resources, because they must be created with time and talent that could otherwise have been spent producing the final product. However, there are a number of reasons that storyboards are a financially prudent step.

One of these reasons is that storyboards allow animators to identify mistakes and problems before the project goes to production. These errors are simple to fix on a storyboard, because they require nothing more than a quick re-sketching or repositioning of the scene in question. In the middle of production, however, they would be much more costly and time-consuming to repair, because they would require steps such as re-animating an entire scene.

In addition, storyboards save time and money because they allow the animators to determine exactly how each scene will be shot before production begins. This allows the company to save money by determining which shots are most cost effective. Storyboards also save producers from time-consuming tweaking, adjusting, and re-animating during the production phase of the project.

Storyboards guide production.

As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons that storyboards and animatics production in CA and elsewhere save time and money is because they allow the animators to determine exactly how each scene will unfold. The details encompassed by the storyboards include production details such as camera angles and distances. In fact, storyboards and animatics are often utilized to determine which shots will be most effective during the production process.

As a result, by the time the storyboard is finalized, the production process has become much simpler as well. Camera angles and distances, character movements, timelines, and more are clearly laid out on the boards. All that is left is for the producers to implement the scenes as they are described by the sketches in the storyboard. When producers have such a detailed and carefully developed plan for their film or animated cartoons, it becomes much faster and easier for them to create the final project.

In addition, as mentioned earlier, storyboards help to reduce the number of changes that are necessary during the production phase of the animation. As a result, production can move much more quickly because it does not get held up by frequent changes and corrections. The detailed guidance and the improved speed which storyboards lend to the production process make them an indispensable step for anyone who wants to animate a project with speed and economy.

In the “Anime” community, for most fans and followers, “Anime” is “Anime and “Cartoons” are “Cartoons”. For them both of the things are really different from each other.

First of all, many people get confused between an Anime and a Cartoon, just because both are animated that doesn’t mean that they both are same. There are so many differences in Anime and Cartoons. While both are caricatures that may be animated, anime usually has visually distinct features for characters. So, here I will now explain the difference between these two. Anime are Japanese animated production, that come in different formats like, television series such as dragon ball z, Naruto, one piece etc., animated short films, and full-length movies. But cartoons are two-dimensional illustrated visual art, non-realistic or semi-realistic drawings.

Anime characters have distinct facial and physical features that are very similar to reality, their big eyes and small mouth are created because of cuteness. On the other hand, cartoons physical features are very far from reality than anime. Anime characters also show different kinds of distinguishable facial expressions whereas cartoons don’t.

Cartoons are generally made to make people laugh, so the genre mainly is comedy. But there are also many cartoons that are educational, teaching something good to mainly toddlers and kids in a fun, interactive way. For example, mickey mouse, Donald duck, bugs bunny etc.

Unlike cartoons, anime doesn’t stick to only one or two genres. Anime shows and movies are all based on some kind of plot which continues through the entire series, for example, bleach, one piece, Naruto, etc. Anime is based on real-life issues or something that are closer to human emotions and have many more genres than cartoons such as, drama, school life, slice of life, romance, action, etc.

But if you look at both of them as separate entities, or as same, you won’t be able to find a clear difference between the two, and that is why most of the people get confused between the two and end up calling anime and cartoons are same.

The first cartoon was said to be produced in 1499. It depicted the pope, holy Roman emperor, and the king of France and England playing the game of cards. However, Japanese animation began in the early 20’s, when Japanese filmmakers were experimenting with different techniques. By 1930s, as an alternative to the live action industry, animation was established.

As cartoon are two-dimensional figures drawn and used in animations, as caricatures in newspapers, and books. If we were to define what Anime is then the general idea of some of the common and agreed upon notions would be “Japanese, animation, vivid designs, and hand-drawn” would be predominant buzzwords.

Today, Anime only seems to refer “animations only from Japan” to make it more understandable for people. After all this is human nature to like the things which are easily understandable and easily categorized.

To make the distinction clearer, let’s take the example of the tom and jerry and dragon ball z. So, you may think what’s the difference between the two when they both are animated and have good visuals, backgrounds, sound effects and even the animated drawings are nice. But, there are many differences in them which differentiate them from anime to cartoon. Like, their concepts are totally different, as you know every episode of tom and Jerry is different and is not related to any of the previous episode or continuing some kind of story from a point but in dragon ball z every episode is related to the previous one, and continue the story from where it stopped in the previous episode. And their genres are different too, as tom and Jerry is purely based on a cat and mouse fight and made to make people laugh and their watch time fun. On the other hand, dragon ball z is kind of a journey of a saiyan to save the Earth and the universe from several threats, he fights for saving everyone, with the help of his family, friends and fellow saiyans. Dragon ball z is can be categorized in many different genres, like action, adventure, comedy, super power, etc.

As an advertiser, you know the importance of capturing your target audience’s attention with appealing and relevant ads. For years, static ads have been good enough to do just this. However, in today’s market, animated ads offer an exciting and effective way to garner you the kind of customer attention you need to successfully grow your company, especially if you wish to target younger audiences. Following are a few of the reasons that using animation to reach younger audiences is the smart move to make.

Animated Ads Are Engaging

Part of the reason that animated ads are an effective way to reach younger audiences is that they are by their very nature more engaging than static ads. For instance, they tend to be more unique than static ads, and therefore more likely to grab your audience’s attention.

In addition, people are hardwired to respond to movement. As a result, the activity in animated ads draws the consumer’s attention away from whatever they are doing and focus it on your company’s message.

Finally, animation advertising is an engaging way to communicate your brand because it allows you to create appealing characters and worlds that draw the viewer in and give them a positive impression of your brand. Mascots such as Manny Mo and Jack from Pep Boys put a friendly face on a business that will make young consumers more likely to trust that business. Once drawn to these characters and worlds, your target audience will be more likely to respond to your brand, giving you more customers than you could have achieved with more traditional ads.

Animated Ads Are Easy To Understand

The goal of any advertisement is to communicate the company’s message to the consumer. Today’s young people tend to have shorter attention spans and, therefore, need advertisements that are concise and easy to digest quickly. The less engaging and more complex static ads, as a result, can make it more difficult to convey your message simply and quickly. This is especially the case if the message you are communicating is complicated or difficult to understand.

Animated ads, on the other hand, prove the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Because they rely on pictures and characters to communicate instead of words, they can, within just a few moments, convey the essence of your brand in a way that static ads cannot do. In the hands of an experienced advertising animation company like Powerhouse Animation, your animated ad can boil your message down into a fun, appealing, and easily grasped format that will be more likely to convert younger audiences into paying customers.

Animated Ads Are Memorable

As an advertiser, your goal is to make your brand or product stick in the minds of the people who view your ads. In part because they are engaging and easy to understand, animated ads tend to accomplish this goal more effectively than do static ads. In fact, an animated ad enables the viewer to retain up to 58 percent more of the material than do other forms of advertising.

Today’s culture, which is so dependent upon screens like smartphones and tablets, is especially ripe for the use of visual representations in advertising. Because of short attention spans and the ease with which pictures and videos can be digested on a small screen, animation provides a way to more effectively help younger audiences remember your brand. As a result, a commercial animation studio like Powerhouse Animation can provide the expertise and material you need to create an advertisement that will communicate your brand in a memorable way to the younger crowds you want to reach.

Animated Ads Are Modern

Younger audiences tend to be drawn to the modern and stylish. Animated ads, because of their use of graphics, motion, video, and design, are more likely to draw the attention of these audiences because they give your brand a more modern feel.

The very fact that animated ads use animation, motion, and appealing graphics make them a modern update on the more traditional static ad. They reflect more accurately the type of medium with which younger audiences are familiar and comfortable.

In addition, depending upon the design and characters you use, you can create an ad that communicates style, polish, and savvy to the audiences you wish to reach. Alternatively, you can, with the help of your chosen animation company, design an animated ad using your own unique style and personality to draw in younger audiences who resonate with the qualities your brand embodies.

Animated Ads Are Fun

Finally, you may want to consider using animated ads to reach younger audiences because they are fun. Rather than just reading words or looking at a single picture, your audience will be drawn into the world and characters that you and your animation partner create together. Excellent character design, creative and well-designed worlds, and the right amount of movement and action will create a story around your brand that your audience will enjoy watching. The more fun they have watching your advertisement, the more likely they will be to remember your brand and purchase your products in the future.

Animation is surely an exciting world. Considering the heavy influx of workforce in this sector it is amazing to find that career opportunities are still rising in this sector. The world of animation is expanding in an exponential manner and there is always room for animators having that knack for quality animation. But to move into the expert zone one has to start from square one and this is where major contemplation is required to make the right move. Beginners in the world of animation have serious queries regarding the issue of the best animation software for beginners since a good animation program can seriously lift up the morale by providing easy and hassle free techniques for producing good and quality animation right from the very start.

Selecting the best animation software for beginners has certainly become an easier task now considering the heavy inflow of information and reviews that one can obtain from a number of online and offline sources. However, a huge inflow of information regarding the best animation programs does not guarantee that you will automatically be propelled in making the right buying decision. There are some points that one must consider so as to get a better insight in the world of animation software and that will surely help in making the right choice. And of course, one must be willing to spend the desired amount of time in knowing the ground realities so as to make the best decision in the end. There is no dearth of options and unless you are going to start an animation company tomorrow, it is better to devote time and make the right investment!

Compare not only prices but features too

Very often we find beginners ready to latch on to animation software that has the lowest price tag. If quality animation is the goal then one must not hesitate to prevent price tag from becoming the defining factor. This means that getting an idea about how animation works and all the necessary features becomes a must to do task. Even if you are going for animation as a hobby there are certain key features that will be required in the long run. Information about all the tools and techniques required to create quality animation will be instrumental in getting the best animation software for beginners. So how can you access this information? Well, the first step could be hanging around those who are learning animation or joining some sort of online or offline training to get used to the terminologies that will be used when different animation software programs are being marketed.

Another great way to save both time and money is via free versions provided by different animation software providers. Some of the best known companies in the market such ad Toon Boon, Illusion Mage etc, have released their free trial versions that surely provide the right kind of introduction to the world of animation. And if you are pursuing the subject only as a hobby then chances are, you are going to get all that is needed via free version only. Those willing to go deep in the world of animation can easily gauge all the features that are going to be provided in a particular animation program via free versions. This is a great way to know about different animation programs without going through several hassles.

What does animation mean to you?

There is no one explanation that is going to satisfy the quest for best animation software for beginners. Options vary as per the person going to use the software. If you are aiming to move high in the world of animation it is surely a great idea to invest a decent amount in software coming from a reputed company. Since you will be creating value adding animation the expenditure on the software is really a worthwhile investment.

Also there are different facets of animation, the most noted distinctions being 2D and 3D animation. Defining your future animation goals is extremely important in knowing the tools and features that will come handy at a later stage. This means that the best animation software for beginners in your case should satisfy the needs that are coming up in future.

There seems to be many preconceived notions about forensic animations and their overall use in litigation. Many times, lawyers or accident reconstructionists will say that “An animation can show whatever the animator wants” or “Animations are difficult to admit in a court of law”. However, to a forensic animator, this is also like saying, that your accountant can “fix your books”. In reality, it is far from the truth.

Misconception #1 – “An animation can show whatever the animator wants”
Perhaps it is the fact that so much of what we see on television and in films is altered with lifelike special effects that we tend to associate anything with 3D visualization with more than a hint of skepticism. Ironically, much of the same software used to animate films such as “Spiderman” or “Lord of the rings” is also less known to be used in scientific visualization, research and forensic animations. People may associate the fact that an experienced special effects animator is capable of creating surreal, yet realistic looking effects. Therefore, it must not be accurate.

The greatest difference between a forensic animation and just any other type of animation is the “forensic” part. This implies that there is a large effort in understanding the details of what is being animated and that there is a large emphasis ensuring a high level of accuracy. An animator can spend more than 70% of his time on activities related to the verification of data and ensuring accuracy in the animation.

An experienced and qualified forensic animator would tell you that a large effort goes into building and checking each step of the animation process to the correct and accurate dimensions. In fact, very little is left to the imagination since most recreations are based on accurate data typically provided by the expert witness. A simple example is the terrain data of a particular scene. This can be obtained by means of a total station along with the positions of important features such as signs, traffic lights, debris or tire marks on the roadway.

Even the animation and motion of objects in a 3D recreation is typically based on information or data provided by the expert witness. This data is often obtained through careful calculations or through the use of simulation software. In the case of simulation software, the data can be directly converted or imported directly into the 3D animation software, leaving little room for error.
There may be cases where the forensic animator is provided with less than ideal information, however, even in these rare instances, an experienced forensic animator will have enough knowledge to ensure that the basic rules of geometry and physics (i.e. motion) are applied and adhered to.

Misconception #2 – “Animations are difficult to admit in a court of law”
Somewhere along the way, there have been animations which were so poorly constructed or erroneous they simply could not have been allowed in court. It would seem that these cases tend to stick in the minds of litigators and cause reluctance for future use of what is a perfectly acceptable and effective use of technology.