What are /r/Animators' favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

I've been very impressed with Huion quality. A good starter might be this one for $40: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075T6MTJX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_7DGTZHX71GSX50B5HM38?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

They also have their Kamvas Pro lineup for $300-$700 and they are stellar pen displays for the money. Happy shopping!

ok I am not good but I suggest get yourself a moderate graphics tablet like even a huion 420 that's 20$ or so, then get Krita it's a great software for beginners and just teach yourself through youtube
here's krita download link

Would definitely Recommend Krita. it is a great 2d animation software and is photoshop based so very familiar to use. Secondly it is beginner friendly but has the capability to go to more complex reaches once you're comfortable with it.

again krita https://krita.org/en/download/krita-desktop/ here is the link give it a try it's free or donate if you'd like but anyway have good luck in your animation endeavors

If thats the case I think either surface would work. The 2d programs I've used haven't been resource heavy (tvpaint, flash, storyboard pro).

I have a beefy computer but it really comes into play when I do my rendering at the end. I work primarily in 3d so rendering each frame becomes a nightmare depending on the textures and amount of objects in the scene. In my 2d work the power in my computer helps when I do any editing in post (after animation I composite it in after effects or nuke).

I'd personally grab the biggest baddest computer I could to be more future proof but if its just for hobby use I wouldn't invest a lot.

http://www.productchart.com/laptops/

I like to use this chart when I first start comparing laptops.

alright my recommendations for someone would be

- toon boom

- power point if you have it because its honestly good

- theres adobe flash cc 2015 cc 2015 cs6 cs5 cs4 cs3 cs2 and macromedia you can get all the cs free but cc is harder to get considering what you have to do

- and ofcourse adobe animate any version of it is fine it just costs alot

- pencil 2d is very user friendly if your new to animation

- and then blender is nice

- if youre mobile flipaclip or animation ult

- if you're looking for pixle art animation asprite

- fire alpaca works if your looking for something free but its not focused on animation

- and wick editor is great too https://www.wickeditor.com/#/

- and then if you want to make it a little hard but are used to it paint tool sai is good too

its very dependent on your opinon and how your brain functions so just keep looking if none of these work i know you will find what fits you best!

Yes. It's perfect. Rendering, drawing... everything.

Id suggest adding a mini bluetooth keyboard to perform your shortcuts. It can be awkward if you're not using a table, while trying to use an attached keyboard.

With the separated bluetooth keyboard, you can lay on your stomach (floor, bed, couch... wherever), animate in your lap... really any position you feel comfortable. The Surface's touch controls don't work (a feature I wish they'd consider) so the keyboard is needed.

I use the Microsoft "Universal Mobile Keyboard" (actual name) Amazon Link but it's no longer being made. I also use this Logitec model Amazon Link it's comfortable to type on when you need it as a keyboard.

If you have any setup questions. Let me know!😁

I dug around and looked at reviews and stuff and went with an XP-Pen Artist 15.6 tablet since (for the price) it was compared favorably against the Cintiq.

I talked about it with him yesterday a while and he seemed to think he'd really use it. And it looks like I could hook it up to my laptop so he wouldn't have to be stuck at the computer with it.

If he doesn't use it, I may mess around with it since I like to doodle now and again. And am thinking of making a simple pixel art video game. Who knows.

Thanks again for taking the time to chat about all of this!

http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Pen-Nib-Black-Pack/dp/B007FEFNJM

There's some for a Wacom tablet pen, but if you opt for them make sure they match whatever she owns, or it'll be a waste of money and an awkward embarrassment :P

Not a problem, wasn't trying to ruffle any feathers either. Every now and then the job gets slow and I like to troll the barrage of free job posts...eh, it passes the time.

If you have questions I'll gladly answer when I get the time. Also, don't be afraid to do it yourself. PES wasn't an animator when he started and look at him being paid to do major commercials a few later.

Find a copy of photoshop, flash, AE, anything and watch a few online tutorials. I bet you could do it yourself. Look up a few walk and run cycle in Animator's Survival Kit and try any software that lets you use frames. Make a grid as a template and go to town.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Animators-Survival-Richard-Williams/dp/0571202284

http://www.manningkrull.com/pixel-art/walking.php (google is your best friend)