Updated Articles and Resources

From Adrien-Luc Sanders, Former About.com Guide since 2005

What's The Difference Between Japanese and American Animation? Created: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 09, 2013
I'm not about to throw my towel in the ring over the fight between which is better, Japanese or American animation...but nonetheless, let's take a look at a comparison between the two and what make...
Best Computer Animation Programs - Paid Video Created: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Updated: Thursday, December 20, 2012
Whether you are just beginning to learn 2D and 3D, or if you are already advanced in the field, watch this About.com video, to learn The best animation software your money can buy.
How to Create a Walk Cycle Animation in Flash Video Created: Sunday, September 02, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Animating in Flash can seem intimidating, but you don't even need great drawing skills to create a basic walking animation. Watch this About.com video to see how to use Flash for a walk cycle anima...
From Gouache to Gadgets: Shopping For the Animator on Your Holiday Gift List Created: Monday, November 21, 2005 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
If your'e thinking of buying a gift for an animator but you're a little stumped as to what might be appropriate, take a look at these ideas for gifts for the holiday season (or any season when you'...
What To Do When It Just Won't Work: Solving Problems With Your Animations Created: Monday, August 22, 2011 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Sometimes we get so frustrated trying to solve problems with our animations that we lose the ability to step back and think rationally. That's when we need to stop and take a methodical approach to...
2010 New Years' Resolutions for Animators Created: Sunday, January 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Resolutions are promises we try to keep and often forget; I have four resolutions I'm determined to remember this year. Check out mine, and share yours.
Is Microsoft Silverlight a Flash Killer? Created: Sunday, August 09, 2009 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Microsoft Silverlight 3.0 takes a huge leap ahead - but is it enough to overtake Adobe?
What's Your Worst Flash Horror Story? Created: Monday, May 04, 2009 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
What's your worst experience with Flash? Now's your chance to tell your horror stories about crashed files, incompatible versions, system errors, and the absolute worst problems that have plagued ...
What Animation Myths Do You Hate? Created: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
There are more myths about the animation industry than I can count. Which ones would you like to see dispelled?
Light Desk Alternatives Created: Monday, November 21, 2011 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
If you don't have a light desk or light table, what's your workaround for 2D animation?
How Do Your Experiences As an Animator Define You? Created: Monday, September 19, 2011 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
It's no mistake that what we choose to do with our lives can often shape us as people, and not just as professionals. Being an animator is no different - and many of us take lessons away from our a...
Why the Apple iPad Isn't For Animators Created: Sunday, April 04, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
If you were thinking of getting the iPad to replace your Cintiq or other touchscreen tablet device, don't.
How Will You Use the iPad? Created: Sunday, February 07, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
An Animation@About.com poll showed that a full third of readers intend to use the iPad for animation. The question is...how?
How Do You Approach Solving Problems With Animations? Created: Monday, August 22, 2011 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
We all have our way of solving problems; when you hit one in your animation projects, what's your standard method for reaching a solution?
What Inspired You To Animate? Created: Monday, August 22, 2011 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
What led you down the road to animation?
What Are You Getting Your Animator For The Holidays? Created: Monday, November 22, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
What are you buying for the animator on your holiday gift list? Animation-related gifts, or something else?
Why the Apple iPad Is / Isn't for Animators Created: Sunday, April 04, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Can you think of other reasons why the Apple iPad isn't suited for animation? Or do you have a compelling argument for why the iPad is in fact a good tool for animators?
How Do You Plan to Use the IPad? Created: Sunday, February 07, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Do you think you can use the IPad to help in computer animation? How?
Do you think Microsoft Silverlight is a Flash Killer? Created: Sunday, August 09, 2009 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
With the release of Silverlight 3.0, many are speculating that Microsoft is angling to beat out Adobe Flash, Flex, and Air as a rich content delivery platform. But can Silverlight really beat out F...
What's Your Worst Flash Horror Story? Created: Monday, May 04, 2009 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
What's your worst experience with Flash? Now's your chance to tell your horror stories about crashed files, incompatible versions, system errors, and the absolute worst problems that have plagued ...
Should Adult Material Feature in an Animation Demo Reel? Created: Sunday, January 17, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Should you limit the content of your professional animation demo reel for a family-friendly audience only?
2010 New Years' Resolutions Created: Sunday, January 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012
Share your animation-related New Year's resolutions for 2010.
How to Embed Your SWF in a Web Page Video Created: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Embedding your SWF in a web page is easier than you may think. Watch this video from About.com to see step-by-step instructions for doing it on your own.
How to Create an Animation in Flash Video Created: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Creating an animation in flash is pretty simple. Watch this how-to video from About.com to see instructions for doing it on your own.
Best Computer Animation Programs - Free Video Created: Monday, June 25, 2012 Updated: Monday, June 25, 2012
Free software for computer animation is widely available and allows for a variety of functionality. In this how-to video from About.com, get some info on the best free software for computer animati...
How to Create Phonemes (Lip-Synching) Animations Video Created: Monday, June 25, 2012 Updated: Monday, June 25, 2012
Animating speech can be tough, so get some handy tips on creating lip-sync animations with phonemes in this how-to video from About.com.
Top Online Animation Files and Extensions Video Created: Monday, June 25, 2012 Updated: Monday, June 25, 2012
Share animation online by using Flash, GIF, and other file extensions. Learn more about the top online animation file and extensions in this About.com video to put your animations on the web.
What is Limited Animation? Created: Thursday, May 31, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2012
Limited animation isn't quite what it sounds like. It doesn't suffer from limitations or deficiencies, but instead refers to techniques used to limit the amount of work involved in producing a full...
What Are Morph Targets? Created: Thursday, May 31, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2012
Ever wondered how 3D animators manage to smoothly transition and combine facial expressions? Simple answer: by using morph targets.
What Is Silhouette Animation? Created: Monday, May 28, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2012
Some things are fairly self-explanatory, and silhouette animation is one of them - though the classical definition of it may not be what you think.
What Is Cutout Animation? Created: Monday, May 28, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2012
You may be more familiar with cutout animation than you think, especially if you're a fan of a certain raunchy animated show on Comedy Central.
What Is an Animation Stand? Created: Monday, May 28, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2012
An animation stand is essential to filming animations, but it isn't as complicated as it might sound.

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