How to Create 3D Animation Movies on a Budget?

Want to produce your own 3D animation and think you can't do it without nail-gnawing hours struggling with technical stuff and spending a small fortune on 3D animation software? I got some good news...

When we look at Pixar and Disney movies, we naturally think, Wow, all that CGI (computer generated imaging) must take a ton of money to produce. You'd be right. But you'd be wrong to think you couldn't do something like a Pixar movie for yourself at home.

But before you rush off and buy some software that will help you create your own animation film, pause a moment and consider what kind of stories - however short - you want to tell. What characters will you be looking to create? Can you sketch out a storyline? Because let's be clear, cgi movies are a lot more than just a bunch of special effects and high end graphics. And if you want to entertain people with your 3D animation films, you need an idea and a story.

Increasingly software for 3D animation is becoming more affordable to the average Joe. And the tutorials that come with new packages tend to be better and better. But none of the above means you can create quality animation in five minutes - even the experienced animator will encounter obstacles, so be sure you can put the time in.

Until very recently every 3D animation software package I came across came with a hefty price tag. Maya, the industry standard software, retails at well over a thousand dollars and 3D Max costs over 2K. And both are pretty complex, so the learning curve is steep. Not the kind of thing you can get going on in your spare time. But then I recently came across IllusionMage. And I was amazed, first, at the price - well under $100.00 - yes, you read that right - and, secondly, at the quality of the 3D animations.

My son, age 9, took one look at the graphics and, wide-eyed, asked me when we were getting one. Not only does it sell for the price of a family ticket at the cinema (OK, big family;) and look high-end, it comes with a bunch of video training tutorials and even a money-back guarantee - which is unique among 3D animation software packages. And it's not just popular with amateur animators, the professionals are using it too.

Step-by-step video tutorials in 3D animation software

You get over 6 hours of video tutorials. And each one runs through a new lesson, step by step, so you don't get overloaded with info and want to give up!

This animation software is flexible and highly responsive, making it easy to use. You really can create some magical graphics and 3D animations with this. You don't even need a really fast computer to use it, although you will need to be patient as you download some of the graphics and 3D animations.

As with everything computer-oriented, you just have to jump in, make your first 3D animation and learn from your mistakes and build up from there. Keep your first idea really simple, but take the time to make sure it has something of an idea.