Workspace
When undertaking an ambitious project, one must be prepared with the right tools for the job. There are always alternatives, but for these tutorials, I’ll be using:
A MacBook Pro
As my default work center, I’ve chosen a MacBook Pro running at 2.4 GHz with 2 GB RAM. I’ll be running Mac OS X (10.4) as a matter of preference, but I intend to include Windows equivalent shortcuts in the videos.
To the Linux community, I feel for you, but Toon Boom Digital Pro is not supported on Linux platforms (although I’ve heard promising reports about WINE).
If you are an animator considering a computer purchase in the near future, remember that RAM is power.
A Wacom Cintiq 12WX
This is the pride and joy of any digital artist’s arsenal. At $999, it’s a little pricey, so I recommend the lesser Wacom tablets (Graphire and Intuos [I have no comment on Bamboo]) unless you’re wholly devoted to the trade.
A Sony Bravia HDTV
You might look at me funny for this one. This is a personal recommendation for anyone animating for television. You should always know how your work will look to the end consumer. Screening your work in a theater is expensive and watching it on your computer desktop can be misleading. My solution was this TV (it was on sale). Using a DVI-HDMI cable, I can preview work for HDTV directly from my computer without broadcasting (sorry, I just can’t do that) or risking quality loss on DVD. I HIGHLY recommend a proofing station to all of you, even if it’s not an HDTV.
Pepsi
Finally, the sweet nectar of the gods. I wouldn’t advise anyone to begin work without a refreshing caffeinated beverage.
There you have it! Now you, too can build your very own garage-corner animation studio!
These are the tools to get you up and running. For learning purposes, this should suffice until we get into sound later in the year.
The next post will be a tutorial based on a viewer submitted query. Enjoy!
~Justin “Denny” Furlong
