So you want to become an animator, right? I mean, of course, you clicked on this post 😉
Animation isn’t always an easy industry, and it can challenging when you’re new to the game. Don’t get discouraged, though. More and more artists, including animators, are moving from traditional to digital art.
To create digital art, physical tools such as a graphics tablet, a PC, and a stylus make the experience much more effective, and great software is essential. But there are so many options for these tools! Which ones are best for you as a digital animator?
Jan… Jan… Jan, that’s why I’m here to inform you about “the animator kit,” which is a tool that every animator needs. I’ll also present Mas Ardot – our illustrator – to share some of his tools.
A Graphics Tablet
This is how I spying Mas Ardot
Graphic tablet that Mas Ardot Uses
A graphics tablet is a device that allows you to put your hand-drawn animations into a computer in real-time. They’re usually flat with a few buttons. Some drawing tablets have screens enabling you to directly see what you’re drawing. Others have a pressure-sensitive pad, so you can only see your drawing on the computer screen.
Drawing on a graphics tablet takes some time to get used to, especially if you’re accustomed to drawing with a pen and paper. A graphic tablet is essential for digital animators.
A Stylus Pen
A stylus pen gives you more control and accuracy on your drawing tablet. If you need to write or draw on your tablet, it is a must-have item. Take note: It may take some time to use both the stylus pen and the notepad.
When looking for a good stylus pen, you must consider the tip, the part of the stylus that touches your tablet screen. The tip can be retractable, covered by a cap, attached, or not protected. The stylus is also essential to consider: some have Bluetooth connectivity, and battery features and pressure sensitivity vary between styluses.
Make sure you buy a pen that you can grip well. It should have a well-distributed weight, and it shouldn’t be too big or thick in size. Most importantly, it must be comfortable since you’ll use it often, for long periods.
A Fast PC
Any kind of digital artist will need a PC with a fast processor. The more memory it has in its RAM and hard drive, the better. You will need 8 to 16GB of RAM, a 256GB hard drive, and a minimum of an Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64 processor.
If your PC is lagging, you can increase the RAM of your PC to its maximum capacity. You can upgrade your hard drive and use external drives to back up your work. This will help you work faster, especially when dealing with large files.
Software
There are a variety of free and paid options for animation software. Free software can be much more accessible, but paid software often provides extra benefits like continuous product support, compatibility, updates, and security.
You may not always have the latest and greatest equipment, but knowing what graphics tablet, stylus pen, hardware, and software will work best for you and your animation needs is essential.
Knowing what tools to use and when and how to use them is part of every animator’s learning process. The more experiences you have and the research you do, the more you’ll know about the best equipment to use and which features you need and prefer.
Remember, there are no wrong or right choices when it comes to buying equipment for animation. You must find the perfect gear that suits your needs, budget, and taste. And if you don’t know yet what works best for you, that’s okay–you’ll learn as you practice with and use your new tools.
