


These include bringing in 3d models to make them fit in with 2d artwork, being able to use 3d geometry for rotoscoping or reference, using 3d cameras and layout, and using Blender’s modifiers on 2d geometry. Since Blender of course started as 3d software, its move into 2d animation has held onto many of these 3d capabilities. Cerbai also indicated to Cartoon Brew that animator Paul ‘OtaKing’ Johnson has done this with much success for his retro anime-themed 2d pieces, including his hugely popular TIE Fighter short (see above).
#How to use blender 3d animation software software
Images were rendered from 3d software and then imported into TVPaint so that animators could draw the animated lines directly.
#How to use blender 3d animation software movie
Blue Sky Studios used TVPaint on The Peanuts Movie to add some drawn elements of characters’ faces to help achieve expressions that evoked the look of the original Peanuts animated series.

Oftentimes this involves the creation of basic 3d models and camera movement in other software, such as Cinema 4D, and then bringing those models into TVPaint to rotoscope them. TVPaint users, too, are able to extend their 2d scenes in some ways with 3d models and rendering. “When 3d models are not used as reference and need to be rendered in the final frame,” said Stamatakos, “they can be rendered through the video card by Harmony for quick compositing, or in Maya through Harmony.” Boulder Media recently used this approach for the Danger Mouse re-boot to animate the hero’s car. Sometimes they are imported simply as reference and for ‘draw-overs.’ Stamatakos suggests Harmony users often incorporate 3d models into their scenes for sets, or large objects such as props or vehicles. Harmony supports various 3d file formats such as FBX, Alembic, OBJ, and 3DS, with imported models able to be moved, scaled, and rotated on any axis. This is something often done in collaboration with another purpose-built 3d tool such as Autodesk Maya. The second kind of 3d integration, which is available in Toon Boom Harmony, is the ability to import and display 3d models. It is based, like many parts of TVPaint, to emulate a physical tool that was used for traditional 2d animation.” TVPaint’s user interface. Each plane has a specific depth and, consequently, its own speed in the eyes of the observer. Similarly, TVPaint has a multiplane camera feature, as head of communications at the company Benjamin Cerbai, explained: “This is not a 3d camera tool, but you can control movement of several planes with background scenery. This can be done without using any 3d models.” “Layers can be set along the z axis and the camera dollied across or trucked along the z axis, with the drawings at different depths moved to create a parallax effect.

“Harmony and its predecessors have always had the third dimension, the z axis, on which the camera can be moved along and drawing layers can be placed at different depth,” said Toon Boom Animation’s director of marketing George Stamatakos. An artist demonstrates Toon Boom Harmony. An obvious area is perhaps via the use of z depth, or multiplane cameras, within the pieces of software. But they also offer several ways in which 3d animation can be done. Two of the giants in animation software, Toon Boom Harmony and TVPaint, are well known for their 2d animation solutions. We’ve rounded up some of these tools that combine 2d and 3d workflows for artists who are seeking to broaden their stylistic and technical range.
