So let's get starting!
Step 1: Knowing what you want
You can't start your animation before planning what you want. You can start off by making a very simple animation, like using stickmen (fig1), or just planning it out on a paper. You can also just visualise it in your head if you prefer.
Fig1: Stickmen
Step 2: Getting started
In order to start your animation, you need a good editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop (Fig2). Paint is not a great program for complicated and detailed animations, but can be used for simple and quick animations.
There are many more programs out there though, so you just have to look!
Fig2: Photoshop
When using such programs as Photoshop, it's a good idea to use many layers when making your animation, in case you screw up somewhere, since you won't have to restart completely. Now we can get starting
Step 3: Getting smoove animation
In order to have a good animation, you need many well edited frames.
There can be a great difference when you make a smoove and rough animation (fig3), especialy when it comes to selling your animations.
Fig3: Smoove > Rough
Rough animations can be quicker and easier to do, but the results aren't always pretty. But rough animation can be used for another purpose: Fast Forwarding your animation (Fig4) There is not much point in putting a lot of work in something fast if people wont see it clearly anyway. Smoove animations can also be used to show a slow motion action, when you want them to see the detail of the action.
Fig4: Fast and Slow
Step5: Finishing off
If you are selling your animation, it is a good idea to put a signature of some sort on it, to show that you made it. You also need a good website to post up your animations on, such as Tripod or Photobucket.
That is all for Tribor's tutorial for now, but don't worry. You can all post up your animations in here and ask oppinions from other animators, and ask how you could improve it.
Remember: Practice makes perfect!
