You're mastering 3D Modeling skills. How can you become a sought-after 3D Animation specialist?

To excel in 3D animation, refining your modeling skills is paramount. This means not only being proficient in creating clean, topologically sound models but also understanding how those models move. Understanding the subtleties of motion is what separates good animators from great ones. While you may have a preferred 3D software suite, becoming versatile in multiple programs can greatly enhance your marketability.

I agree with most of the statements I’ve seen below. So if you’re a master 3-D modeler, then you should have well balanced geometry. Don’t rely on software to automatically bone and rig a character. It’s best to learn how to do it from scratch and use the automated tools after you know what you’re doing. It’s important to learn how to properly set the defamation properly so the geometry does not look pinched in the wrong places. Once you’ve made a rigged item, then duplicate it and save the duplicate as an archive item. That way if you lose the bone structure, you don’t have to go back and remake it.

Usually, animation doesn't require you to master 3D modelling as far as I've learnt. Sure, it may be beneficial, but in the industry, you have people who specialize in 3D modelling. You may be able to suggest a change based on issues you're facing during animation more accurately, but, that's the job of the entire team at hand to be honest. While they may be related, if you're primary interest is in animation, I'd suggest you hit the bullet on the animation shield until it breaks. Purchase a good rigged model to practice on and you'll be there.... trust me you don't want to be a kid in the candy store and grab everything there is to learn.

One thing I found helpful is focusing on mastering key animation principles, such as timing, spacing, and movement. Understanding these fundamentals can significantly enhance the quality of your animations. Actually, I disagree with the idea that technical skills alone are enough. Developing a strong artistic vision and storytelling ability is equally important to create compelling and memorable animations. For example, I've seen specialists gain recognition by building a diverse portfolio, collaborating on various projects, and staying updated with industry trends and software advancements. Networking in animation communities and attending industry events can also open doors to new opportunities.

Invest time to learn more about anatomy and forming shapes in real life. knowing the basics of clay sculpting can give you a head start when learning how to 3d model and build shapes

If you are going to be dealing with human models invest time to understand basic human anatomy. They will help you produce rigs that are realistic and very believable. Unnatural movement stick out in bad rigs.

Dominar el aparejamiento implica aprender a asignar pesos y restricciones a los huesos para controlar la deformación adecuada de la piel del personaje o la forma del objeto, implica la creación de controles de animación intuitivos que simplifiquen el proceso de manipulación para los animadores, facilitando la creación de movimientos expresivos y detallados, aprender a aparejar es esencial para cualquier profesional del modelado 3D que aspire a trabajar en animación, efectos visuales o videojuegos, ya que permite transformar modelos estáticos en personajes y elementos dinámicos capaces de contar historias de manera convincente y visualmente impactante.

Whether you wish to do character animation or hard surface, rigging is the key! in fact it comes before animation. It may not be the case in 2D, but in 3D, rigging is the basis for animation. Louis Du Mont has a wonderful course on hard surface rigging "Robotic Planet. You should also check out Southern Shotty stuff on Character rigging.

Este nivel de habilidad no solo se enfoca en la fluidez y la precisión del movimiento, sino también en la capacidad de capturar la esencia y la personalidad de los personajes o la dinámica de los objetos en movimiento. Los animadores expertos en movimiento maestro son capaces de agregar capas de detalle y sutileza a sus animaciones, creando una conexión emocional con el público y asegurando que cada acción y reacción dentro del mundo digital sea coherente y significativa, el movimiento maestro no solo es un conjunto de habilidades técnicas avanzadas, sino también un arte que transforma la animación 3D en una forma de expresión rica y poderosa que trasciende lo digital para contar historias de manera impactante y memorable.

learn to work in an organized way! meaning you should plan ahead through STORY BOARDING and ANIMATICS before jumping into your 3D package and start rigging... you should also have a few VFX tricks up your sleeve ... if not specialize in it! which is a whole field for itself, but falls under the category of animation.

From what I've seen, animating one of the hardest things to master is getting movement to look smooth and avoid it looking unrealistic, especially when starting from scratch. I would practice this one heavily and also learn about working with, and cleaning up motion capture data.

En el contexto del modelado y animación 3D es crucial para desarrollar habilidades técnicas y creativas que permitan a los artistas aprovechar al máximo las herramientas digitales disponibles. Esto implica familiarizarse con programas especializados como Autodesk Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D y otros, que ofrecen una variedad de funciones desde modelado y texturización hasta animación y renderizado. Al explorar el software, los artistas pueden aprender técnicas específicas como la creación de superficies orgánicas, la manipulación de luz y sombra, y la aplicación de efectos especiales, lo que amplía sus capacidades para materializar ideas complejas en entornos digitales.

One thing I enjoy is experimenting with different mediums and seeing what suits me. I like to see and hear other people’s reviews of something but I can only be sure when I often test it myself.

participar en comunidades en línea, conectarse activamente también implica asistir a eventos, conferencias y talleres relacionados con la animación y el modelado 3D. Estos eventos ofrecen oportunidades únicas para establecer contactos directos con líderes de la industria, conocer nuevos talentos y explorar oportunidades de carrera. Al hacerlo, los artistas pueden no solo expandir su red profesional, sino también inspirarse y motivarse a través del intercambio de conocimientos y experiencias con colegas y expertos en el campo.

One thing I enjoy is looking for like minded individuals and people with similar goals and we can start there when trying to grow a network. People will sense that you are also trying to achieve something that they are and from there it becomes a case of being authentic and choosing to connect with others who are on the same frequency.

Build a strong portfolio showcasing diverse, high-quality 3D models, highlighting your best work and style. Include both professional and personal projects, and ensure it's well-organized. Regularly update it to reflect your latest skills and achievements. Use platforms like ArtStation to reach a broader audience.

Select only your best works for your portfolio. This is a less is more type of situation. Not all your projects have to be included, only the best ones make the cut

Gaining experience across various fields like modeling, rigging, and animation provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire production pipeline. This holistic view can help identify your strengths and interests, ultimately guiding you to specialize in the area where you excel the most. It also fosters better collaboration with team members and enhances problem-solving skills as you understand the interdependencies between different stages of the production process.

In my humble opinion, having pieces of done work to form a portfolio regardless of how many projects beats trying to convince clients of your prowess with nothing to show of it.

From my point of view I would, create a strong portfolio, exemplifying the ability to animate many types of assets such as vehicles, creatures, and characters. I would also contact 3D artists, they would likely be willing collab with you on a project.

This probably goes without saying but watch the works of popular animation studio like disney and pixar. And don't watch to be entertained alone, watch to learn

Conscious learning is the key in my opinion, you will begin with free tutorials or perhaps attend a college, but then you should seek mentorship either through online courses or one-on-one mentorships. I suggest following all the exercises Derrick Elliot uploads in his YouTube channel.