The Complete Animation Course: The Principles, Practice, and Techniques of Successful Animation Paperback – January 1, 2003

Not too long - only about 150 pages. And not text-heavy at all. But not an expensive "coffee table" book of pictures either.I wish more books had a format like this. Most topics are covered in one two-page spread (no page turning) with the topic stated clearly in a sort of extended headline that may be two short but complete sentences. There's a sensible order, but it isn't heavy-handed, so you could open the book at random and read independently whatever two-page spread you get and it would make sense by itself. There are sidebars and illustrations galore. Rather than the usual case of all the additional items "decorating" the text, here the "text" is just one more compositional element that doesn't grasp at some kind of "priority".It mentions topics as diverse as the right desk chair and 3D software for the masses. It makes a great introduction to the entire field. You'll wind up actually understanding 2D vs. 3D animation, cel vs. digital, vector vs. raster, and so forth. And there's a lot of emphasis on what creators actually (should) do and on what's reasonably possible.Just a bit dated - I wish there were a newer edition. But not so ridiculously out of date it reads like something in a museum. True, some of the "current" examples are now "out of print" ...but I can deal with that. It looks to me like an overview that was on the cutting edge a decade ago is still an awfully good overview.

It lets you know everything you will need and will face if you wish to become an animator.

Chris has created an invaluable resource for anyone interested in creating animation. I have recently created 2 animated shorts and am well into my third. My first effort was created using Toon Boom Studio's 2D software and for the second, I used Macromedia Flash. I then embarked upon an old-fashioned hand drawn animation with plans to scan the art, assemble it and then edit it. How to do it? My How to Draw animation books barely touched upon the tools needed and none of them covered modern technology, especially the all important modern tool, the computer.Lady Luck was smiling the day I discovered Chris Patmore's "The Complete Animation Course". The book is NOT a how to draw animated figures kind of book. However, it is a valuable resource filled with ways to produce an animation. The book is handsomely designed and easy to navigate. If you want to know how to find software to create "Pencil Tests" of your drawings to see how you animated action is unfolding, Chris lists several inexpensive programs (and some very expensive ones, too!) and tells the reader which ones are for Macintosh and which ones are for PC. You want to know about setting up a Rostrum Camera? It's in there. How about simple cutout animation or stop-motion animation (also know as claymation and stop-action)--it's also covered. Chris offers many options for the fledgling animator to choose from.He gives inside animator tips on equipment and procedures. I found myself regularly referring to his book as I moved through the various stages of drawing, shooting pencil tests and scanning the final art.I'm a long time illustrator but I'm new to animation. The Complete Animation Course has helped me immensely.5 Stars & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Overall book is in good condition. I paid more, picking a "new" book because I can't stand books that have been written in or tattered. As you can see one of the pages (I've only made it thus far in the book so I don't know what's to come), has writing in it. And it erases so it is pencil. Also a random hair?? Weird... if I'm getting charged more, I expect to actually be reviving a new book. Can't return as I need it for school. But other than that I'm sure it will serve it's purpose.May be a little outdated for today's tech world though

This book pointed me in the right direction. I was trying to decide what materials, software and techniques do I chose to get from point A to point B in my personal project. I looked for a class but I would have had to enroll in college. This book covers story boarding. It explains the different techniques of animation used and explains what they are used for as well as discuss software and their many price range. I discovered the most popular software programs that the large movie and cartoon studios use. The history of animation is covered. It explains how you can start your own projects and includes a great supply section. The book is a little dated but surprising still up to date. I even found a full professional animation program that was mention that sold for a lot of money but because the company has been bought out, it is now free. This book is the first book you should read if you are starting out in animation and do not know what is out there.

I teach 3D Animation at the Robert Morgan Educational Center in Miami, Florida. I use this text as a one of the primary resources in my program. Although it doesn't go too in-depth, it does provide a brief introductory overview of the main topics relevant to the traditional methods of animation. I highly recommend it to anyone studying/teaching the subject.

ok

Just getting into animation and this book is a go to for me. When it says a COMPLETE course, it was for me. History and style breakdowns opened my eyes to a new world