New Ways and Means

With how rapid technology grows in this world, it also affects how animations are done and the mediums they are created for. Technology has now made it significantly easier for people to create their own animation and games, both independently and as a part of a company. Many people are going the indie route, and creating TV shows and games along with their close friends and colleagues. There is so much software available that allows people to create work themselves, without having to establish a company.

 

Mobile phone applications and games have become extremely popular and are only growing as time goes on. Developing applications and games for mobile devices allows for one of the safer approaches to this industry as it can reach a much wider audience.

One of the largest innovations in technology in recent times has to be the cloud services that have developed in the oncoming years. For most companies, Cloud software is primarily used for online storage similar to Apple’s iCloud and Dropbox but can also range from more private cloud storages that are dedicated for a specific company. Adobe has a similar cloud service called the Adobe Creative Cloud, which is a program established to allow consumers to pay a specific fee weekly, monthly or yearly and allows users to use all of Adobe’s programs. In the past you had to pay for the full cost for one of Adobe’s programs while having to pay for the updated programs separately, this cloud system makes it easier for companies to use Adobe’s programs. 

The capabilities of using cloud software in this industry make it increasingly easier for work to get done at an optimal pace, whenever and wherever. This technology can allow companies and clients to communicate and share work from anywhere in the world without having the client go to the company’s location if he or she is somewhere overseas or interstate. This also allows increased productivity for employees working on a project, where they can save and access files on a shared drive where they work and allow their colleagues to access and modify files when needed.

Asides from cloud based software, there is a variety of free software for independent developers to get a hold off, or for newcomers in the industry who want to have a crack at it. Blender is an extremely powerful 3D program that allows you to model, animate, rig, composite and render. It is a highly recommended alternative to programs that cost a lot like 3DS Max and Maya. 

Gimp is a free photo editing program, similar to Photoshop. It is quite a powerful program, given the fact that it is completely free, and again is a great option for people who don't want to buy Photoshop. 3-Sweep is another great free program as it allows you to create movable 3D models from 2D photos.

Turbosquid is a great resource for 3D animators. It's a website that has a massive selection of professional 3D models that can be downloaded and put straight into a 3D program, like 3D Max. Although not all of the models on Turbosquid are free, there is a huge range that are, and it's not hard to find a great model for free.