What is a 2D animated video?
A 2D animated video uses two-dimensional motion images, meaning the objects and figures in the video have height and width but no volume. The objects and figures used in the video look like flat images.
2D animated videos are commonly used for creating animated movies, marketing videos, explainer videos, advertisements, websites, etc. They help brands connect with their audience and engage them by simplifying the brand’s desired message or a process.
What does a 2D animated video include?
- 1) Designing characters
- 2) Developing storyboards
- 3) Creating special effects
- 4) Animating scenes
- 5) Transitioning backgrounds
What are the benefits of using 2D animated videos?
Businesses across industries prefer 2D animation videos to improve brand awareness and introduce products or services to the target audience. An ideal 2D animation video involves a vibrant colour scheme, amazing character animations, and impactful messaging that has a great recall value to persuade the audience.
How are 2D animated videos created?
The process of creating 2D animated videos is divided into three parts:
1) Pre-Production
The first stage of the process involves writers and animators working together and deciding on the story, flow, and script of the animation. The team then designs the characters, chalks out the storyboard, and selects the colour theme and the background for the video.
While working on the script, the writer ensures that the script guides and directs the visual action and the storyline in the video, thus giving more clarity to the sequence of events in the video.
2) Pre-Production
In the production stage, the elements created during the pre-production of the video are brought together to produce and work on the animated scenes. This process includes animating the characters, designing scenes, and adding colours to the background along with making some rough animations. In short, during production, the team brings the characters, elements, and story to life, step-by-step.
To perfect the job and make the animation look smooth, tracing and in-betweening processes are used in the video. Tracing is used to clean up the rough animation on an animation layer or on the same layer with different colours. Whereas, in-betweening is used to add more transitional frames between mainframes so that it looks more natural and seamless.
3) Post-Production
During the final stage of creating 2D animated videos, the team carries out the final editing and enhances the final product. This phase ensures that the final video successfully translates the desired message, creates an impact in the audience’s mind, and engages them with the content with correct sound effects and frame lengths.
Tools to create 2D animated videos
An animated video published by a brand also represents its stature and the standards of its communication and marketing efforts in the market. Thus, creating a low-quality video with a lack of clear messaging can do more harm than good.
In order to create successful 2D & 3D animated videos that people remember, the use of effective tools becomes imperative to achieve the goal. Here are some of the common tools that designers and animators use in the industry:
For Animation:
- 1) Pencil 2D
- 2) Adobe Animate
- 3) Adobe After Effects
- 4) Synfig
- 5) Animate CC
For Graphics:
- 1) Adobe Photoshop
- 2) Adobe Illustrator
- 3) Adobe InDesign
- 4) Canva
What is a 3D animated video?
In 3D animated videos, computer-generated figures and objects are brought to life by utilising motion in three-dimensional space. 3D animation allows subjects to move and rotate, giving a real-life experience in a digital environment.
It is central to an array of industries such as gaming, movies, virtual reality, and TV shows among others. Moreover, with the help of 3D software, many industries also use it to design and develop products, for presentations and marketing purposes, and more.
The process of 3D animation
1) Concept and Storyboards
Similar to 2D Animation, the process of 3D animation begins with planning, conceptualisation of ideas, and creation of storyboards that guides the team to visually present the story or an idea in the video.
2) Modelling
Modelling is all about taking a shape and moulding it into a 3D mesh. One of the common ways to do it is by taking a simple object, and creating a shape out of it that can be refined and detailed.
3) Layout & Animation
In the third stage, the animation process is initiated. The selected 3D object is made to move in different ways, either using keyframes—moving the object on a frame-by-frame basis—to using motion capture data.
4) Rendering
The animator proceeds to render the 3D character when the animation, lighting, and camera angles are finalised. The process of rendering mainly involves creating and exporting the designed graphic images and making final changes to the 3D character as per the light and shadows, reflections, transparency, etc.
The benefits of using 3D animated videos
1) Attracts audience attention
Due to its universal appeal, 3D animation attracts the audience’s attention and creates a great impact on their minds.
2) Promotes engagement
Businesses often opt for animation to engage with their audience. With the help of unique concepts and visual appeal, 3D animated videos help brands to create connections with their audience.
3) Creates branding
3D animation is one of the proven effective tools for branding. An ideal 3D animated video leaves an impression on customers’ minds and further amplifies the brand’s uniqueness in the market.
4) Attracts online traffic
Besides the high demand and consumption of videos by the audience in their daily life, animated videos work great on different digital platforms. This gives high chances for a brand to get explored by their targeted audiences. In addition, a study shows that incorporating videos on a landing page can significantly increase conversions by 80%.
Tools to create 3D animated videos
- 1) Adobe Character Animation
- 2) MotionBuilder
- 3) Maxon
- 4) Keyshot
- 5) Mari
Conclusion
2D & 3D animated videos are effective mediums when it comes to simplifying and explaining a complex idea or a process to the targeted audience. Apart from having knowledge about animated videos and their benefits, it is crucial for a brand to partner with professionals who are capable of translating their ideas visually through an animated video.
At Orange Videos, we provide creative video production with strategic marketing thinking that helps you leave a mark among customers and in the industry. For an expert video team, contact us!
