Techniques and Software You'll Learn in Computer Animation Colleges

What computer animation colleges will teach you.

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Train for a Career in Computer Animation Colleges

Preparing for a career in animation for film, television or video games requires a lot of technical training in industry-standard software and hardware, in addition to the study of basic animation, design and filmmaking techniques. Computer animation colleges—and other institutions offering a computer animation degree—provide curriculum in these fundamental areas.

Still asking yourself, "Why do I need to know storyboarding? And who's Maya?" Read on to find out what types of techniques and software aspiring animators learn about at computer animation colleges, and why they're important to finding a job in the industry.

Learn Fundamental Techniques with a Computer Animation Degree

Some of the critical knowledge you'll acquire at computer animation colleges falls outside of the realm of software and hardware, but still constitutes part of your technical training in the field. These include some of the traditional art, design and filmmaking principles used by animators throughout the history of animation:

Storytelling and scriptwriting
Character design and development
Storyboarding
Drawing and design for animation
Camera and lighting techniques

If you choose to emphasize game development, then you may also learn about concepts specific to animation for gaming, such as game logistics and level design.

Computer Animation Colleges Teach Animation Hardware and Software

Being an animator demands a high level of technological expertise in computer equipment specific to the animation industry. Some fundamental skills include using a scanner and digital camera to import still images and movie clips, and learning to create CDs and DVDs with professional-quality content, even if it's just your demo reel. If you delve deeply into character animation, you may also learn about technology such as motion capture equipment.

Among the most important skills taught by computer animation colleges is how to effectively use a wide range of imaging, animation and production software. Software is what enables you to bring a memorable character like Shrek or Wall-E to life on the big screen or the computer monitor—everything from movements to clothing textures to weather effects is a product of animation technology. You can expect to learn about software programs such as the following in your computer animation degree:

Audio editing: Audacity, Adobe Audition
Image creation and editing: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Motion graphics: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Flash
3D animation, rendering, compositing, lighting and texture: Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, DigiCel FlipBook, Pixar Renderman
Video editing: Adobe Premiere, Windows MovieMaker, Apple Final Cut
Game creation: Unreal, Unity, Game Maker

As the animation industry continues to change, so too will the software and technology involved in creating games, movies and websites. However, the mission of computer animation colleges remains the same: educating tomorrow's animators with the tools they'll need to succeed in the job market.

Find computer animation colleges in your area to get started today.