Modeling vs. Animation

[urthmaan]

hello all. hope everyone is doing well. i was wondering while im learning how to model, does someone who knows how to model, also have to also be good at animating? or vice-versa? like, say if youre the type of person who is "so-so" at modeling, but if someone gave you a pre-built rigged model, you know you could animate the heck out of it? or if you know you suck at or dont have the patience to animate, but would love to be down with a project just to build and model a character? is this acceptible that although a person is assigned a job doing either/or, knowing the other is not a requirement, i.e., and artist that gets paid to model doesnt need to know how to animate? i hope this make sence, i was just thinking about how much work and how much teamwork goes into making some types of 3D media. thanks much.

[robcat2075]

hello all. hope everyone is doing well. i was wondering while im learning how to model, does someone who knows how to model, also have to also be good at animating? or vice-versa?

It doesn't hurt for a modeler to be knowledgeable about what a character will need to do in animation.

 

like, say if youre the type of person who is "so-so" at modeling, but if someone gave you a pre-built rigged model, you know you could animate the heck out of it?

At the pro level there are many fine animators who dont' do much modeling. Concentrating on animation rather than modeling probably helped their progress.

 

or if you know you suck at or dont have the patience to animate, but would love to be down with a project just to build and model a character? is this acceptible that although a person is assigned a job doing either/or, knowing the other is not a requirement, i.e., and artist that gets paid to model doesnt need to know how to animate?

Likewise, many people only model or only rig or only texture. Their specialized skills make them valuable as team members.

 

i hope this make sence, i was just thinking about how much work and how much teamwork goes into making some types of 3D media.

Almost anything you see in a commercial movie is the product of much teamwork. Sit thru the credits of a CG-heavy movie and count all the people listed and the special titles they have.

 

However, if you want to work alone, as some artists do, you will need to become at least passable at all the skills.

[Fuchur]

In smaller companies, where most often just one or two persons have got 3d-skills, they need a alrounder...

In the larger once, the need specialist with great knowledge of their sector...

 

As most of the people who work in the 3d-industry are employeed at middle or small companies and only very few people (in comparision) work at the larger studios, it is wise to have a good base in all of the skills you need to make something in 3d.

 

*Fuchur*

[LurkerAbove]

I found learning at least the basics of modeling helped me understand more of what the animation process was about. It also helped me understand things like:

1) Why can KeeKat and Shaggy be so expressive, and Gala's eyes only open and shut?

2) What do these IK settings on rigs mean?

3) What do bones do? Why can't I just move CPs? (yeah, that was a dumb one)

4) How can I get the apple logo off Gala?

5) When the Troll moves, the chain around his neck swings. How cool is that, and more importantly, how do I get to do it?

 

Since the way the model is rigged and built dictates is capabilities so, having at least some exposure helps a ton.