, published in 1979, became the authoritative guide to making animated movies. Now, as we enter the twenty-first century, the explosion in computer technology has created a corresponding boom in animation. Using desktop hardware and software, animators can easily produce high-quality, high-artistry animation and mix the aesthetics of traditional cel animation with dazzling 3-D effects. Kit Laybourne's digital revision to The Animation Book brings you to the cutting edge of animation technology. Richly illustrated with frame-grabs, production stills, and diagrams, this volume shares Kit's infectious enthusiasm for the limitless possibilities of today's hybrid techniques, and it provides beginning animators with all the information they need to jump in and start their own animation projects. More advanced animators will find The Animation Book to be an invaluable resource with detailed descriptions of filmmaking gear, computer hardware and software, art supplies, plus Internet and other resources.
Using an innovative case-study approach, Kit deconstructs how a range of digital projects were carried out at some of today's hottest animation studios, including Wildbrain, Blue Sky, Protozoa, Fantome, Broderbund, Nicktoons, and Klasky Csupo. These step-by-step studies show how desktop animators can follow the same creative process in their own films.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Increasingly dated, December 2, 2008
By
Oluseyi (Brooklyn, NY USA)
The Animation Book is a fairly comprehensive review of traditional animation methods, with a few remarks on digital technology integrated into that workflow. Despite the updated title's mention of 3D, this book is not a valuable reference for 3D animators - or even for 2D digital animators (Flash, for example).
Indeed, that is its greatest disappointment. The book is far more of a historical reference than an introduction to contemporary production methods.
Animation Fun, November 25, 2008
By
Amos Oren Long III (the Black Swamp.OH,USA)
Very Pleased. We bought the book for our son who is very interested in animation. He is very happy and has gotten some great ideas and encouragement from the book.
Perfect Reference, August 2, 2007
By
Kristen Miller (Livonia, MI United States)
If there was ever a 'textbook' for learning animation, this is it. I have several books on animation production, from cell to 3D, and this on the pretty much the backbone of them all. I am not a professional animator, though I wish I was. This book provides a plethora of reference films for various styles of animation (it's nice to have a somewhat comprehensive list of styles) and suggestions for production. Though, it does lean more towards the artistry of animation, rather than digital production techniques to turn a quick buck.
I recommend this book as a primer for anyone who is passionate about animation as an art, hobby, or the first step in building an animation production house from scratch.
I Really Need to get the New Edition..., January 6, 2006
By
Michael Weber (Atlanta)
I just about wore out my copy of the original edition of this book years ago; i never got far into *doing* animation, but it really helped me to *understand* what i was seeing on the screen (as well as serving as a source of recommendations as to Good Things to look out for...)
While this may not be quite the essential text for asiring animators that Will Eisner's "Comics and Sequential Art" (q.v.) is for would-be comics pros, it is a Very Good overview of the field as a whole, from techniques to materials to the creative aspects.
There is, admittedly, not sufficient detail on any one subject to take one to a true professional level, but there is sufficient detail and commentary to let the tyro make a beginning in almost any aspect of animation (within one's financial limitations, anyway -- while costs are rather less now than they were in the day when film was the sole practical medium of choice, some aspects of animation do cost more than others to do) nd work at it enough to get an idea as to whether that's what she wants to do.
And remember -- you might not intend to make animation your life's work; but Mike Jittlov was an accounting major who took an animation course because he needed an elective and it fit his schedule. The film he made for that course won him an Oscar nomination...
Anything can happen, and this book is a good place to check it out if you think animation might be one of the "anythings" you'd like to happen to you.
GREAT INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATION TECHNIQUES, September 16, 2004
By
E. Hall (MA, USA)
This is a great book for both students of animation and anyone out there who just wants to know more about that thing called animation. Laybourne is very easy to read and goes step-by-step through various animation processes in such an accessible way that its almost entertaining.
If you have a serious interest or just a passing interest, this is a great book!
