Is computer animation better than hand-drawn animation?

[asdf]

I'm just starting, and I know very little about animation, so I'm hoping someone can help me with this.

I understand that computer animation is the latest phase in the business, and it is superior to hand-drawn animation, because computer modelling offers far more detail than the traditional variety. If so, then I'm wondering why anyone is still using 2- and 3-D stills.

I'm a very poor artist, but I have very good mathematical and computer skills, and I like story-telling, so I am leaning now towards doing some work in computer animation. If someone can advise me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[OwenWelsh]

Traditional animation and CG are just two different mediums, like oil or acrylic on canvas, people have a preference on which to work with. Both of them have strengths and weaknesses. With that in mind, make sure you take advantage of all the strengths the medium has to offer when you begin your project.

[asdf]

Can you point me to some links that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of either medium?

I loved Secret of Nimh, by the way. I presume Don's a traditional animator?

[arif]

Can you point me to some links that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of either medium?

I loved Secret of Nimh, by the way. I presume Don's a traditional animator?

yes..Don bluth is a traditional animator,producer, Director...and a GREAT TEACHER......hmm...what ever you do in both traditional and cg ...it all requires the `Principal of animation` which has been invented long time ago and it is still worth...your work wont be looking great without it....you will see lots of CG works out there...but..cant find life in most of them unless where the 2d animators were behind of them...
so, it doesnot matter which medium you want to involve...learn the basic proper thing then explore..

Regards,
Arif

[asdf]

I'd love to learn from Don, but I don't like drawing - failed art classes in elementary school, actually, though I've always aced mathematics.

[asdf]

Tell me more.

[Rodney]

You are in good company if you think can't draw but still want to animate.
John Lasseter of PIXAR fame took his drawing weakness and turned it into a strength. (He was let go by the Mouse House but now leads it today as Chief Creative Officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios)

I see computer animation as an extension of hand drawn animation.
Just as Disney had his Multiplane camera technology, so today we have the computer and digital process to augment the animation we draw today.

One of the supreme benefits of digital technology is that of digital compositing. This was a product of another aspiring animator that couldn't draw (and two guys that would team up with John Lasseter to form PIXAR); Alvy Ray Smith and Ed Catmull (Ed is now President of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios).

Both John Lasseter and Ed Catmull had determined drawing would keep them from being the successful animators they wanted to be but in computer technology they saw something that most others did not see; a way to make their dreams reality. They took animation where most animators hadn't even dared to dream.

Whether you prefer to draw your animation or move digital control points around in 3D space computers will be in your future. They are extensions of the same thing.

...and I think knowing math will be advantageous either way!

[asdf]

I see computer animation as an extension of hand drawn animation.
Just as Disney had his Multiplane camera technology, so today we have the computer and digital process to augment the animation we draw today.

I seem to get that impression. I would be interested in learning under Don, and I think he has something to say about video games, which are a close cousin of animation. I'm trying to decide if I should go into video games instead, because it uses computer programming more than animation.

BTW, have you seen the graphics on Arkham Asylum? They look really good, and I'm wondering how you compare them to say, Snow White or the Secret of Nimh.

[Rodney]

BTW, have you seen the graphics on Arkham Asylum? They look really good, and I'm wondering how you compare them to say, Snow White or the Secret of Nimh.

Sorry, haven't seen it here.

I don't really play computer games. Just being on a computer every day is 'gaming' to me.

[Solium]

You should go where your "strengths" are. If the computer is the more comfortable tool for you then I would go into computer animation.

If you struggle with drawing then I wouldn't suggest doing that.

Of course it wouldn't hurt to expand your skill set with some art classes. If nothing else there is a lot to learn about "layout", "composition", "negative space", "color theory", "design" etc. The more you know about "traditional" art the better computer artist you will become.