The Bottom Line
Pros
- Tons of content to get you started in the online content library.
- Multi-format publishing.
- Nifty features that mimic normal working patterns in other programs.
- Free to try.
Cons
- Misbehaves a bit in Windows versions above XP.
- Not nearly enough documentation to handle user adaptation.
- Some errors with animated movement.
Description
- 3D animation program that allows movie creation on 3D "sets."
- Allows cut-and-paste character part manipulation.
- Online library of sets, characters, textures, and behaviors can be modified and adapted.
Guide Review - Animation Software Review: Animoids 3D Movie Maker
Have I mentioned that sometimes, I love being wrong?
Animoids is a little older, but I decided to take a look at it when a friend sang its praises. While not exactly Maya, Animoids Movie Maker still packs a surprisingly sophisticated level of quality and finesse. The texture mapping is eleven different kinds of cool, as is the method of building movie sets - and the manipulation tools are fun, simple, and intuitive. The program touts the ability to "easily cut and paste between characters," and it's right. Chop a limb off Sally and stick it on Suzy over there; no problem.
The program also publishes to multiple popular formats, including QuickTime, AVI, and GIF. It seems as if there was a lot of thought and detail included in the overall workflow design, with attention to how your average user thinks in terms of manipulating data. Like I said, surprisingly sophisticated.
The problem with offering that level of sophistication in what's generally a low-end program is that you also need to teach users how to use your workflow - and Animoid's apparent method of "demonstrate by example" doesn't quite work, nor does it inspire much in the way of originality.
The enormous online content library makes it easy to get started, even if you don't know what you're doing - but the inadequate user manual and complicated interface make it harder to create original content. It's a pity, actually, because the program is extremely robust and its potential feels untapped.
Animoid behaves a little oddly on Windows 7, too. I don't blame the designers for that, as it's not programmed with Windows 7 in mind. It'll work, but keep in mind that while running it it may revert your computer to the default Windows 7 color theme - and may crash a few times.
