Learning 3D animation skills has a lot of potentials, whether it’s creating adorable characters for an animated movie or attention-grabbing visuals for a presentation. A career in 3D animation in India can open many doors. Plus, it’s a creative and interesting field to work in.

Animation is a booming industry and these skills are sought-after by many. Do you know how to become a 3D animator? If not, don’t worry – we’re here to talk about the important skills you need to learn to become a successful 3D animator.

7 Skills to Become a Successful 3D Animator

1. Creativity.

In some situations, the animator must reimagine objects realistically. Other times, they will have to create fantastical figures using their imaginations. This must be original and appealing for maximum impact. They’ll also have to portray these many objects in new ways. It’s the novelty factor of an animation that makes it stand out from the rest. All this can be done when one has a creative mind that can play with concepts and create entire worlds out of thin air.

2. Knowledge of Software.

An animator must take real-life objects and recreate them digitally using 3D animation software. While 3D animation does require drawing, that’s not the main skillset. What’s more important is being able to use software such as Autodesk Maya, Houdini, Maxon, and Keyshot. With these, one can create models and scenery for games, movies, and more.

Each software, although similar, has its own unique abilities. It’s essential for an animator to know how to use these otherwise they won’t be able to perform the most basic tasks. This software is expensive and was made for large teams with financial backing. Free software that many beginners use initially is called Blender. One can use this from home as well.

3. Being a Team Player.

Animation studios have big groups of people working together on one project. Therefore, it’s important for a 3D animator to be able to work well in a team. This includes following instructions, taking feedback and peacefully resolving conflicts. If one can be composed, even during stressful situations, and maintain positive and healthy relationships with their co-workers, they can go far in this industry. Otherwise, it can be awkward bumping into old colleagues down the line.

4. Attention to Detail.

Today, one get’s incredibly detailed animations. It’s not surprising to find realistic-looking details even in children’s animations. This can include watching blades of grass gently move against the wind or the texture of fur on an animal’s neck. With such high-quality competition, the ideal animator must have the knack for noticing even the smallest details. A person who naturally absorbs tiny details of their environment will be able to recreate them with amazing precision. Also, many videos are rendered in 4k resolution, which means that every single tiny detail can be seen by the viewer.

5. Drawing.

Sketching for animation is still an important aspect of the entire process. Whether it’s figure drawing for animation or drawing entire landscapes, creating precise and high-quality designs is a coveted skill. Knowledge of shading, perception, depth, light, and shadows, all come together with sketching skills to help create stunning animated universes that are both fantastical and life-like.

6. Being A Quick Learner.

Absorbing information quickly goes a long way in this dynamic field. Whether it’s learning new software tools, or entire programs when switching studios, it’s important to be able to learn new skills and layouts. If an animator can learn these quickly, different companies will be willing to employ them as they won’t waste much time learning new tools. This is also helpful in learning new art styles and upgrading the existing ones.

7. Patience.

Animation can take hours for even the smallest details. Many times, ideas that took days to come up with will be rejected by the art director. So without patience, an animator can become frustrated. But if they’re able to stick to it and power through, they’ll be rewarded with watching their creation on the screen being viewed by millions. Remember that there are 24 frames per second in your standard animation and each has to be absolutely perfect.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a world-class animator? If so, you’ll need to invest in up-to-date 3D animation and visual effects courses. Getting a certification from the best animation schools will teach you the software applications that are essential in this field. They’ll also prepare you with the mindset required to excel in this career.

DICE-VFS, in association with The Vancouver Film School, is one of the best schools for animation in India. With expert faculty and a comprehensive course, this course teaches 3D animation, VFX, and modeling preparing students for a rewarding career as an animator.