Introduction

Many characteristics help you become a successful animator or animation artist, including your passion for art and animation, your ability to create worlds, and your skills in bringing characters to life.

Knowing how to use design and animation software is also important – without it, you’re reliant on others to transform your animation designs into reality. You’ll have many practice opportunities throughout this course to build your software skills and create animated characters, effects, 3D assets, and shots.

Why Use This Software Module?

Use this Software module to help you get a head start in developing your design and animation software skills. This is your library of video tutorials and is designed to set you up for success in this course.

This Software module:

• Provides you with access to base-level software knowledge so you can complete the learning tasks and assessments in this Diploma of Animation (Level 5) course.
• Supplements the animation workflow videos you’ll watch, designed to help you work through specific animation processes and builds throughout the course.
• Is not assessed nor compulsory – however, it is highly recommended.

How Is This Software Module Set Out?

Seven topics – one for each software app you will be using during this course – offer expert guidance on navigating user interfaces and using basic or complex animation, drawing, and manipulation tools:

• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Animate
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Substance 3D Painter
• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk Mudbox
• Toon Boom Harmony

Each topic links to recommended video tutorials aligning the software’s functions and features with the design and animation tasks you are practising. Some video tutorials include working files that you can download and use to follow along or experiment with.

This module is not an exhaustive library. As a responsible animator or animation artist, you can seek out other apps, tools, and techniques to help you explore animation production processes further.

When Is Different Software Used in the Course?

You’ll be introduced to different software apps and functions in the first three modules of this course, leading up to the fourth module, Final Image, in which you’ll bring together the software skills you’ve learned while producing a final animation sequence.

Read this table to determine which module will introduce you to various software apps and functions. Use it as a guide to make the most of your time when deciding how to use this Software module.