Guide to the 3D Animation Process

Exploring FUSE’S 3D Animation Process

If you are a business, looking to market your products and services in a different way, let us introduce 3D animation!

The journey of crafting a 3D animation is complex. Even a video clip that lasts only a few seconds long will involve a series of steps that can vary significantly. This can be based on the project scope, plus the studio you’ve hired to handle the project.

Each project will require a wide range of skills from a talented team representing a skilled 3D animation studio.

To navigate through such an in-depth process efficiently and cost-effectively, it will be important to know what to expect from the 3D animation process. In the industry, the 3D animation process is sometimes also called a pipeline or workflow.

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Understanding the 3D Animation Process

In light of the growing trend of businesses incorporating 3D animations into their media marketing and storytelling endeavors, it’s helpful and necessary to familiarize oneself with the concept of storytelling using media.

The 3D animation process implemented by animation studios is a structured system integrating personnel, hardware, and software to perform sequential tasks within a set timeframe, ultimately culminating in the creation of a 3D animation product or asset.

The final output may range from conventional animations like short films, animated commercials, TV shows, marketing assets, tradeshow animations, trailers, and more. Contact our commercial animation studio today!

3 Stages to the 3D Animation Process

The process for creating a 3D animation is a complex one. It can be broadly divided into three primary stages: pre-production, production, and post-production.

Let’s go over these in more depth below!

The 3D Animation Process: Pre-Production

What is Pre-Production?

Pre-production is the foundational phase of a 3D animation project, focusing on research, design, and planning.

3D animation production is divided into two teams: the creative team, which develops the story, characters, and designs, and the management team, which outlines the production plan, including timelines, budgets, and team assignments.

A well-executed pre-production phase ensures that the production process runs smoothly and efficiently. The pre-production phase includes:

Idea Generation: Every great animation begins with a solid idea. In fact, before any video can be showcased on a platform or used for a marketing strategy, it will need a well-defined concept. This initial concept lays the groundwork for the entire project. Your 3D animation team will meet with you to discuss all aspects of your project and will develop a concept around your cosmetic product, medical device, special equipment, or service.
Story Creation & Writing: The raw ideas are refined into a complete narrative. This stage defines the story arc, products/services, characters, and setting. Once the story is defined, the script is written to detail the character/product movements, product or service information, dialogue, and environment. The script serves as the blueprint for the production.
Storyboarding: Storyboarding visually represents the script in sequential images, resembling a comic book. This step helps visualize camera angles, product placement, and key scenes before the animation begins. We detail more about creating a storyboard in our article linked here.
Animatic Creation: An animatic is a moving version of the storyboard, using simple 2D drawings to depict the timing and sequence of scenes. It serves as a rough draft for the final animation.
Design: During this step, the overall look and feel of the project are determined. This includes product designs, props, and environmental elements. The mood and concept are solidified to ensure consistency throughout production.

Together, you and your 3D animation studio will need to craft a concept for your animated video, one that succinctly communicates the marketing objectives of your product while engaging the interest of potential buyers.

This concept should articulate a precise notion of the video’s content and its aspirations for progression to subsequent phases. During this step, gather all necessary information to develop a concept that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

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The 3D Animation Process: Production

What is Production?

Production is where all the planning comes to life! The 3D artists at FUSE begin creating the visual elements of the animation, following the plan laid out in pre-production. The production team ensures deadlines are met and that the quality aligns with the expectations set during pre-production.

The animation production consist of the following steps:

3D Layout: The 3D layout is essentially a rough version of the final animation, based on the animatic. It includes basic 3D models of products, characters, environments, and other elements, helping the team visualize the final product in 3D space.
3D Modeling: In this step, artists create detailed 3D models of objects and environments using software like Maya or 3Ds Max. These models are essential for the animation and subsequent stages. The partially completed model will then undergo color and texture adjustments for client review.
3D Texturing: Textures are applied to 3D models, adding color, patterns, and surface details. This process makes the models look more realistic and is critical for defining the visual style of the project.
3D Rigging: Rigging involves creating a skeleton for 3D models, allowing animators to control their movements. This process is especially important for characters, as it defines how they move and interact with their environment.
3D Animation: In this stage, animators bring characters and objects to life by adding movement. This is often the most time-consuming and intricate part of the production process.
VFX (Visual Effects): Elements like water, fire, hair, fur, and dust are often too complex to animate manually. These effects are created using VFX tools, enhancing the realism and dynamic quality of the animation.
Lighting: Lighting in 3D animation works similarly to real-world lighting in photography or film. It sets the mood for each scene and enhances the visual appeal by creating depth and atmosphere.
Rendering: Rendering is the process of converting 3D scenes into 2D images or videos. Each scene is rendered into multiple layers (objects, shadows, highlights, backgrounds, etc.), which will be composited in the next stage.

The 3D Animation Process: Post-Production

What is Post-Production?

Post-production is where the final touches are applied to the animation. The artists at FUSE Animation refine and polish the animation to ensure it looks professional and cohesive.

The 3D animation post-production stage includes the following processes:

Compositing: Compositing involves combining the multiple layers rendered in the previous step into a single cohesive scene. This can range from simple tasks like merging two layers to complex ones involving hundreds of layers with intricate adjustments.
2D VFX: Certain visual effects, like sparks, rain, or camera shakes, are easier to create in a 2D environment and are added during post-production. These effects are seamlessly blended with the 3D animation to enhance the overall visual impact.
Color Correction: Also known as color grading, this step ensures consistency in lighting and color across all scenes. It helps unify the visual style and mood of the project.
Final Output: The project is exported into its final format, usually as a digital video compatible with various platforms. This stage ensures the animation can be viewed on the intended devices and media.

The success of 3D product animation hinges on its appropriate application, targeting the right audience, and timing its release perfectly. Maximize your efforts by embracing 3D product animation.

Contact FUSE for 3D Animation Services!

Have a vision for your 3D animation trailers and commercials?

With more than 25+ years in the industry, FUSE can help you create and advertise with 3D animations that you’ll be proud of! We’ll help guide you through what to expect from the 3D animation process.

We handle the most simple to complex modeling and animations. Let’s connect and develop a long-lasting relationship and build an effective 3D animation marketing strategy!

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Guide to the 3D Animation Process