Best animation software for beginners??Any Ideas?

Hey all,

I am starting to dabble in animation(I want to bring my drawings to life). Please recommend a decent animation software that is good for beginners. I have the trial version of maya but I think its just a little to advanced for me.

Well , I started out palying around with the 3d modeling software and tried all the trials. Luxology's "modo" I found quiet easier than the rest .

I soon found my niche an found cartoonsmart's tutorials when he first launched years back and got hooked on Flash drawing an animation. Thats were i found myself. FLahs is powerful for cartooning and animation. an theres free tuts on cartoonsmart , well there was I dotn know know.

You mentioned Maya. Maya is a 3D application that you can create animated 3D in. If you are just looking for 2D Animation software, try Toon Boom. Note: There is NO animation software that I could call "easy" to use. There are some easier than some others, but none are quick and easy. Animation is very tedious and time consuming. If you want a copy of Toon Boom, go to the site shown below:


Make sure that you Virus Scan anything you get from there first. I suggest you go yo VirusTotal.com and run the file through their multiple scanners to be safe.

Cheers! - "Wiz"

Yea, 3d modeling does seem a bit rough, I am not sure if I should just dive into that or try 2d and work my way up, Basically learn the basics first.

I appreciate the replies, Going to check out that ToonBoom



EDIT: Toon Boom looks like exactly what I was looking for, Thanks

After Effects is good...

.................

for 2d you can't beat flash etc. its just good fun, you can get the hang of it and move onto other things after.

for 3d, i'd recommend 3d studio max. It may seem complicated but there are plenty of tutorials. And you'd be suprised at how fucking phenomenal stuff looks rendered with good lighting.

I made a ball of goo, made it glow green and even though it was just still, it looked *SO* good. I can bearly draw, but i was very, very impressed!

Just g00gle some tuts and you'll be on your way - its easy when someone guides you!

Ive used 3D Studio Max with moderate success. Lots of tuts available as well as free addons for it as well.

there is blender-a free 3d animation,

the is poser you can download it from a warez type site
the Renderosity site has has all kinds of info

like other folks, i have too much going on to focus on 3d, animation.