Animation has long been used not only to convey messages but also to express and evoke emotions. Today, modern technologies have given it a contemporary twist that makes it even more in demand in different industries. Today’s blog discusses the ten best 3D animation styles to consider when hiring a 3D modeling agency or freelance design expert.
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1. 2D animation
One digital animation technique is 2D animation. It is an illusion created on two-dimensional planes of three-dimensional space. It is typically used in educational, online learning, or explanatory videos. Characteristically, it is easy to understand and follow. What could have long and dull instructions add a dash of fun with 2D animations. 2D animation used in how-to videos, as well as many brand awareness videos gives users a chance to understand ideas in a fun and simple way.
2. 3D animation
With 3D animation services, you basically get an illusion of three-dimensional spaces. This particular style is a favorite choice for video games, virtual reality simulations, and movies because of the kind of experience they offer, one that is almost the same as that in the real world. Marketers also enjoy utilizing 3D animation in producing characters, and environments that cannot be produced in real life. The style is also great for commercial videos in sales outreach campaigns. They may simulate more realistic videos in order to utilize the three-dimensional space.
Unlike 2D animation, there are few options you can choose from, such as visual effects (i.e CGI, character animations, modeling). The continuous innovation in 3D animation technology continues to advance, leading the way in the industry. It constantly pushes the barriers since it explores even more possibilities of doing a story through animation.
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3. Cutout animation
The distinctive touch technique of cutout animation distinguishes it from all the other styles in this list. This kind of form uses two-dimensional materials such as cardboard, paper, fabric, and the like, to create both scenes and characters. The flat components of this genre are designed well before they are shifted under a camera from one frame to another to tell a story using choreographed movements.
Cutout animation is even more enchanting in itself, as it is straightforward but full of that much creative potential to make even drab materials into some interesting animated stories. Cutout animation hence opened up much more with technological innovations in productions. Computer software has a significant effect on current productions, as it streamlines the production process.
Scanning vector images, together with the use of special software, allows animators to create animation with greater accuracy and speed. It helps in achieving the feel and look of handmade cutout animation. It is a strong proof that digital innovation and old methods can indeed go hand in hand together.
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4. Explainer videos
Explainer videos created by experienced 3D product demo designers are very popular with business people, and you really can’t blame them. The animation style this video offers gives your audience a new way of learning with the help of videos. In fact, an explainer is an animated video in which you explain your work before the viewers. If your business has new product lines to be launched, for example, explainer videos can be employed to show tutorials about the proper usage of said products. Well, if put in a nutshell, you use them to introduce your audience better to a certain product or service.
In addition to that, you can even use the videos to express your messages, such as messages giving thanks to your audience. Explainer videos can do an amazing job of sharing your messages and picturizing your day-to-day struggles in a way that is not only exciting and fun but also more interesting.
5. Hand-drawn animation
Hand-drawn animations are best used to portray inherent abilities since the directors can grant full control to the 3D artists regarding the complexity and the pace of the scenes being used. However, this animation type is more demanding as compared to others, and the effect of a well-crafted hand drawing in terms of what can be displayed depends on the needs of the client and the intended audience.
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This style is interesting in the sense that variations can be done according to the trends already present. Also, these have been found to be some of the most effective ways for children to learn important social lessons. You can be very sure that you won’t lose control over the exact image, character, or styles with the hand-drawn animation style both during the storyboarding as well as the final stages of production. You will be able to emphasize or downplay the seriousness of any given element. This style will let you do exactly just that.
6. Kinetic typography
Kinetic typography refers to the combination of motion and text. This style adds excitement and interest and is widely used for animating song lyrics and even speeches. Businesses also use kinetic typography for videos that may appeal to the easier on the eyes. This kind of animation is also ideal for educational videos. Perfect in bringing excitement and interest in words, even more so to complicated concepts that might require challenging comprehension.
If your business is software-based, you may face tremendous challenges in persuading prospect customers to understand the versatility of using a given framework or programming language. Kinetic typography will, however, give you the option of expressing your message in the most vivid way possible.
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7. Live animated videos
What happens when you combine animation and live-action? That is where live animated videos come from! It is as if you are getting the best of both worlds. Enjoy your animation while adding a taste of reality to make things funnier! Live-action animated videos allows the 3D animation expert designer to add customization to the live-action part, because you can incorporate animation into it.
Ultra high-definition cameras are recommended for this style to make sure that both elements of the animation and the live-action shall be perfectly matched and in sync. This animation style is almost same as explainer videos, as you can explain your products and services, and even give solutions for particular problems. Adding voice-over is a great way to include the necessary explanation in the video.
8. Rotoscope animation
The early days of animation also led to the development of the rotoscope animation technique. This particular style uses human movements traced from movie images to produce naturalistic animations. All thanks to rotoscope animation is the 1937 Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The style was also applied in the iconic appearance of A Scanner Darkly, a science fiction film in 2006.
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The technique boasts of visual punch, which captures the kinds of realistic motions that would have otherwise taken several weeks to produce if made from scratch. Good thing that there are now digital tools that automate the process of tracing with video footage movements that are tacked and transformed automatically into animations. 2D sequences can also be made through this particular method and can result like they are set in 3D.
9. Stop motion animation
Stop-motion animation is a technique that produces animation using objects in the real world. This is how all those classic TV shows for children, including Magic Roundabout and The Clangers, were produced, using stop-motion to photograph the puppets over and over again as they were moved. Even though computer processes now offer swifter methods of animating objects, it’s amazing how stop motion has managed to persevere all these years.
This is partly because of how this process captures that special feeling. It has homespun and tactile qualities that are pretty hard to recreate digitally. Another reason this animation style used by character animation firms is versatile and accessible is that you can create either a narrative/characters or bring-to-life anything in the real world. This is what makes it simple, spurring creativity and breaking open ways to exploit breakthroughs in animating these static objects.
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10. Whiteboard Animation
UPS is an international shipping company that, in 2007, created a series of animated video clips explaining its services with a presenter who doodled images on a whiteboard. It’s simple in its format but at the time effective and the dawn of a whole new generation of whiteboard animation. Even though a person drew on a board on the first whiteboard animation videos, also called doodle videos, many of the subsequent ones used a digital process to achieve the same appearance and vibe.
It is a style that is most suitable to explainer videos where simple images were used to convey complicated data. Sad to say, the style succumbed to its own success and was so popular that they almost became visual cliches. However, that popularity is testament enough that these videos actually work.
Final thoughts
There are numerous ways to present your ideas, design, and product. You can choose an appropriate 3D animation style that best suits your concept and strategy. At the end of the day, no matter what what style you choose, all of them will be able to present your design in a very unique way.
How Cad Crowd can help
The animation industry never seems to be slowing down. If you’re planning on creating new products or services and are looking to hire a 3D modeling agency or freelance design expert to create stunning models based on the latest best 3D animation styles and much more, then Cad Crowd is the go-to service to provide you with the best people for the job – request a quote today.
