2d animation companies Archives • Page 15 of 16 • Prayan Animation

May 15, 2018December 5, 2023

Stepped and Spline Blocking in Animation

When designing animation, especially 3D animation, there are many steps that are involved. One of these steps is blocking which tends to put many animators in the dilemma of which specific method to use. Blocking is a technique used in animation in which key poses are shaped in order to set up the timing and placement of characters and props in a given specified shot. There are different methods in which blocking can be achieved some of which are stepped and spline blocking as discussed below.

Stepped Blocking

In Stepped blocking the animation curves of the blocked shot do not provide interpolation between the animation poses. This method is significant because it communicates big ideas and general clarity through the keys and breakdowns. Additionally, the main purpose of blocking using this method is just to verify and prove the concept. Moreover, by using the stepped blocking method, the animator is forced to think in terms of poses, beats and tremendously explains the large ideas.

Some of the advantages of working with this method are that it is normally faster and gives one the option of correcting and rectifying mistakes as early as possible. This means that if any change is necessary it is easier to do it in the rough state.

However, its main disadvantage is that it is difficult to add more information to market your idea by keeping it simple and clear.

Spline Blocking

On the other hand, the spline-blocking technique helps the animator assume a vivid understanding of who the characters are and how they are supposed to move. Hence this method allows one to work organically and straightforwardly. This is important because it enables one to know how the animation is going to work right immediately from the blocking stage.

In addition, with the spline method, the computer usually interpolates for you and hence you are able to get a clear grasp of how the timing of the animation is going to be. In the event that it does not satisfy the animator, he/she is able to shift the keyframes without playing the full animation. This helps in focusing on the posing rather than the animation.

Consequently, with the spline method, it is easier to fix things like following through and overlapping actions. This gives the significance of the method as you can get 70-80% of the way right in your first pass and hence finishing the shot can be a little bit easy.

The disadvantage is that it is easy for one to be distracted by the exclamation of the keyframes when one should only focus on the timing.

In summary, for an animation to be complete it can be blocked in any method above according to the animator’s preference. Hence if you need your animation to be blocked in either method, simply contact us for the same.

April 25, 2018April 1, 2024

Five questions that each creator needs to ask themselves.

Creators like everyone else desire improvement and make something different out of what they have been doing in previous times. This desire cannot be achieved if they cannot realize who they are, who they can become, and what new they can develop. These five questions will help one to evaluate them easily and come to realize their potential apart from the assumed one.

1. What was I doing a year ago?

This is one of the simplest questions that one will need to ask themselves as it triggers one to look back into their journey of creating content for a market. Was I too much into comics? Was I immersed in hand-drawn graphics or in the streamlined distribution of content? By understanding fully your past one can engage further to explore.

2. Am I still growing?

In this world full of competition, growth is another aspect that a creator cannot avoid, simply who you were a year ago doesn’t matter; what you now count a lot and it’s very significant. Those intense times when you feel like doing more are very useful as they push us into doing more than what we imagined, there’s no comfort zone for creators unless you keep pace with the rest and hold your share.

3. What makes me unique?

Every time I do ask myself “What is that thing that only I can do?”

This question really needs seriousness in tackling: there are as many creators like you out there and as much you can keep up to their pace, it’s also good to cut yourself from the rest by providing something unique from the rest. In that way you could have cut competition in half and taken your market share, take things that you are really good at seriously as being good isn’t all about your one thing but a sum of all your input.

4. What skill do I need to learn next?

Being a creator needs constant improvement, and this does not apply to bettering your acquired skills but also adding a little more on top of what you know. In a nutshell, each skill you add to your life will lead you to a good path as you never know where you will land the next day. Take time off your normal schedule and discover another skill that you can perfect and don’t be forced to learn but do it out of your own will as part of exploring new heights.

5. Do I enjoy what I’m doing?

This is a mother of all questions as it digs deep into the heart of the creator’s work and life. Enjoying what you do creates an environment good for growth; this is because in each set of loving what you do, that feeling of boredom and being burdened disappears, and as a creator rise to new heights of success

Prayan Animation is a good and clean example of creating great talents in the animation industry.

April 18, 2018February 12, 2024

Animation techniques for Beginners

It’s very weird to go head straight into animation without knowing what to expect and what it entails, the techniques used, ways of distributing your content, or what software/hardware to use. Instead of heading direct to YouTube for more info here is a guide to help you cover a lot and learn quickly.

Flash Animation

These are vector-based animations that are made using Adobe Flash, an animator needs to create enough frames and ensure that the movements are not jerky. A full-blown flash cartoon resembles a Cel animation highly. This can be seen on my little pony.

Rotoscoping

This is capturing realistic human movements through drawing on film footage of live characters. Rotoscoping is considered to be one of the funny animation techniques used by animators as it’s like cheating. This is not true considering other Films like Walking Life (2001) it impressed almost everyone even those who criticized it, this is because it was so complicated that one could not consider it as a rotoscope animation. In rotoscoping, a little artist’s impression converts it to be one of the classiest works.

Cutout and collage animation

This is one of the simplest animations mostly used in TV; literally cut-out animation uses puppets that have been cut from the drawing paper and have been painted of which then they are loosely arranged and their shots are taken again and again after being repositioned. In another version, collage is added to this form of animation to bring a different texture and taste as these are real photos cut off from magazines and books.

3D CGI Animation

CGI refers to Computer-generated Imagery, this is one of the popular forms of animation as it provides realistic texture in designing backgrounds or even in movies to make characters where they used models. Although the 3D CGI in the past required special programs to run, nowadays things have been made easier and you can make one from the comfort of your sitting room. In addition, 3D CGI requires a lot of time and clarity when detailing a character so as to make it seamless and believable.

With the above tips hope you will start your journey well and achieve the best.

March 16, 2018October 26, 2023

5 Tips for Making Great Animations for 2D Games

Ever since animation acquired the power to attract much attention, many animation and game designers usually strive to keep up-to-date with more sophisticated and trending animation and game designs. However, in order to achieve the best and make great animations, especially for 2D games, you have to consider some important aspects of importance concerning the same.

First and foremost, push the animation to the limit. In order for the animation to be more interesting, the designer has to use the extremes and this means embroidery and attractions without forgetting to think about the possible reaction from other people and ensure their limit is achieved. Additionally, if the animation uses real expressions and movements, it has fewer chances of succeeding since people are familiar with these moves and definitely will not be impressed. Intense animations will draw much attention and will have higher chances of succeeding.

Secondly, make everything in the animation effervescent and feel lively. The animation should not appear as if they are stiff and made up of autonomous moving parts. Even if the animation is as simple as drinking water, strive to make the hand look like it is picking up the cup and taking it toward the mouth. However, the main idea is that your animation should seem moving even if it is at a standstill and this can be achieved by adding some bounce to the character to make it give the impression that it is alive and kicking.

To add that, for the animation to be perfect, they have to contain strong keyframes. When animating your sprites, you should ensure that they have strong and extreme keyframes that depict a particular movement. To add on that, for the animation to be best, the sprites should also be in order according to the stated move.

Furthermore, to ensure that you get a good one, you should limit the animation keyframes. Even though sometimes most animators exaggerate the specified animation to achieve a visible move, some designers tend to over-exaggerate and therefore make the animation lose its desired meaning. It is however advisable to use a limited number of frames but boldly highlight the important moves.

Last but not least, do not give much care and attention to the craft. Many 2D game designers usually pay too much attention about the craft and end up losing sight over the entire content. However, great care is supposed to be directed to the whole image and take much care of what it transmits and also the message it posts to the viewer.

For more details about animation and 2D game design, contact us and we will ensure you acquire what you desire. Satisfaction is our priority.

January 22, 2018February 9, 2024

Everything you need to know about comic book creation

Being the author of a famous comic book is a dream that many creators aspire to. Like with any artistic venture, it’s easy to lose momentum and let your comic book ideas crumble into the monotony of time. Here are some basic pointers to make sure your comic book creation is successful.

1. Do it for the love of it

Not all comic books are commercial successes. In fact, very few of them are. If you’ve decided to make a comic book, then you need to be doing it for love and not money. Those making comics to benefit financially almost always fail. The most successful comic book creators take years to build a following and often make money from a different job.

2. Be ready for a hustle

As an independent creator, you need to wear all the hats of a businessman. You are in charge of promotions, finance, quality, and sales. Be prepared to hustle your way to the top. There is no place for humility in the cutthroat capitalist society of today. You will have to put yourself out there and face the odds.

3. Create a following

Seeing as you are a salesman now, you will have to learn about the importance of following. Before deciding to print or publish, find a way to grow a following on social media. Start a blog or offer content on Patreon – there are many ways to find your niche on the internet. The following will help give you the motivation and compensation you need to carry on creating great comics.

4. Invest in your art and story

Bad art or bad storytelling will quickly cripple your comic book. Readers are more educated than ever before so make sure you don’t disappoint them. Invest in art lessons and read blogs on effective storytelling techniques to get the most out of your comic book creation.

If you’d like your idea illustrated, please feel free to get in touch with us and we can help bring your imagination to life on paper.

January 12, 2018October 30, 2023

5 Basic Principles of Animation

Animators follow a strict guideline of 12 principles of animation to create the most believable movement. But 5 basic principles stand above the rest as the most important. Your animation will fall flat and look wooden if the key principles are ignored.

1. Squash and stretch

Squash and stretch give weight and believability to an object. Imagine a rubber ball bouncing on the ground. As it hits the ground it squashes and it comes back up it stretches. A metal ball on the other hand would barely squash or stretch. This is how you give weight to your animation.

2. Anticipation

One of the most overlooked principles of animation, anticipation is important to give animations a sense of grounding. Before getting up from a chair, you need to position your body to help you move. It would be unnatural to get up without using your arms to help push your body up. This is why anticipation is so important.

3. Ease in ease out

Imagine a clock’s swinging pendulum. It slows down on each side before gaining speed. The swing from side to side would be fastest in the middle and naturally slow down on each side. This is the basic concept of easing in and out. It makes movement feel more natural.

4. Timing

The number of drawings for a given action will vary depending on the movement needed. Fast movements get less drawing while slow, complicated ones need more. Timing will give believability to the movement of your characters and objects.

5. Solid Drawing

Without solid drawing practices, an animator cannot animate effectively. Solid drawing means the animator understands the dimensions of the object in 3D space. Volume, depth, and weight can be conveyed by the necessary movement.

If you are having difficulty with any of these principles, it’s time to hire a professional.

Get in touch today and we will provide you with the best animation.

December 30, 2017October 23, 2023

Six illustration styles you should know: Prayan Animation

The act of presenting your ideas via examples or describing information in a visual manner can be termed an illustration. The illustration can be drawings, paintings, graphs, or photographs. In simple words, an Illustration can be termed as a visualization made by an artist in the form of an image.

Types of Illustration Techniques

An illustration can be categorized into traditional and modern styles. Changes happen in styles over time with better medium, outputs, and time consumption. Pen and paper are replaced by digital canvases with the help of illustrative software like Photoshop and 3D Max. Have a look at types of illustration techniques.

Woodcutting
Metal Etching
Pencil Illustration
Charcoal Illustration
Lithography
Water Coloring
Gouache illustration
Acrylic illustration
Collage illustration
Pen and Ink illustration

Illustration Styles:

Style represents either a particular design genre or the way of expression. Let’s discuss six illustration styles that you should know.

Concept art
Comics and graphic novels
Books and publications
Advertisement illustration
Packing illustration
Branding illustration

1. Concept art

Illustration for gaming, fantasy illustrations, and One-Pager fine illustrations are generally done on concept art. The artist creates several concepts for a particular theme and the client can choose from the created concepts for further development.

2. Comics and graphic novels

Comics are a medium that combines text and visual information to express stories or ideas. In short, comics can be defined as an artistic medium composed of images and text.

3. Books and publications

Currently, book illustrations can be designed and printed easily using many techniques. The role of illustration in books is to create an eye-catching cover to grab the attention of readers.

4. Advertisement

Unlike books and publication illustrations, advertisement type of illustration is meant to steal the show and grab quick attention rather than sharing an idea. An illustration is chosen by a wide range of companies in order to make their advertisement better style and more attractive than photography.

5. Packing illustration

The importance of packing illustration arises in the differentiating products on the shelf during the business. Businesses such as jewelry, children’s products, and bakers choose illustration packing to grab more attention from the audience in an easier way. Elegance, custom feel, and personalized touch are the main advantages of illustration packing.

6. Branding illustration

Branding illustration, especially the logotype of illustration requires specific skills and more attention to make sure the readability, message, and brand value. Logos should be small, simple, and memorable. The business also demands to create cartoonish characters or mascots for branding.

Where to get a professional illustrator?

It’s really difficult to create your own illustration with a unique style and quality. Don’t worry Prayan Animation is ready to serve you with dedicated professional illustrators to meet your needs in different illustration styles.

December 11, 2017January 9, 2024

Free 2D Animation Software

It is really fun to create a unique creative animation with your own effort and voice-over. Great animation software is essential in this field even if you are a beginner or an expert in animation. The requirement for free animation software is generally among students who are looking to create a great career. Currently, numerous free software’s are available online to create animation quickly and easily. But for a professional and best quality output, it is necessary to contact a perfect animation company that meets your needs. The best part is that the available free software is equally effective as paid ones. The following list consists of the top three free 2D animation software currently available online. Now turn on your ideas, and make your creativity, these free software will help you to create great quality 2D animations.

Pencil 2D

Pencil 2D is free open-source software available on Mac OS, Linux, and Windows that helps to create 2D animation very effectively with the least effort. Pencil 2D offers a wide range of stunning features available on most of the paid software. Still, this software is packed with numerous important tools; the interface seems simple and immaculate. Pencil 2D also helps to export graphics along with Flash videos, movies, and many other formats. Determining the frame rate, image import and sound, and adding colors are some of the features offered by Pencil 2D software.

CreaToon

CreaToon helps to create 2D animations in cut-out fashion and enables us to add a wide range of special effects very easily. The interface of creation seems very simple and outdated but is capable of performing complex tasks resulting in remarkable outputs. It is really easy to access the main features since the menus are displayed on both sides of the working area. You can determine the frame rate along with height and width but the interface cannot be customized on creatoon.

Plastic Animation Paper

Plastic Animation Paper is the best 2D animation software for an expert animator. The uncomplicated and powerful tools in this software help to convert your creativity into animations and cartoons for free of cost. The main attraction of this software is to manage your swift sketching movements and as a result analysis of work as well as real time corrections can be done easily and quickly.

Make your creativity happen. If you are looking for free 2D animation software please try these softwares to create good-quality animation outputs. But for a professional animation, it’s better to contact one of the best animation companies in India. Prayan Animation has been the leading 2D and 3D animation company in India for the past few years serving the best quality outputs at an affordable rate. Contact Prayan Animation now for more.

November 23, 2017January 4, 2024

Most Popular Animated Characters Of 2017

Animated characters are known as cartoons as well and mostly they’re popular among children but some of them are popular among adults as well and they also like to watch cartoons. Here are a few of the most popular cartoons in 2017.

Pokémon

Pokémon is a Japanese cartoon series that is quite popular among children and adults. The animation software used to create them features a few characters that are not the current cast of main characters.

Scooby Doo

‘Scooby Dooby Doo where are you?’ This is one of the most popular animated series for years now. Scooby Doo is an animated cartoon character, basically, a dog that makes people laugh through its actions. The dog though is not very brave but still, helps the team to solve various mysteries mostly due to funny accidents. Shaggy is the best friend and partner of Scooby Doo who is also not very brave just like Scooby Doo.

Doraemon

Doraemon is another popular Japanese cartoon character who became popular recently. In the last 2-3 years, Doraemon has become quite popular among kids all over the world. Currently, it’s the best-selling cartoon. Basically, Doraemon is a robot and a helper of Nobita who is a very lazy kid and runs away from all responsibilities and just likes to play with the Gadgets that Doraemon has.

Popeye-Popeye the sailor man

Popeye is one of the oldest characters who is an ordinary man and loves a girl. And in the constant struggle of winning her heart. He eats spinach which makes him a stronger person.

These were some of the characters that remained most popular in 2017 as well. Other than that, there are animated characters like Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, etc. who are popular forever.

Planning to launch your own animated characters for business marketing? We at Prayan Animation are here to assist you with all such needs.