Creating a polished 3D animation is a complex process that involves multiple stages and a variety of techniques. That process is often referred to as the animation pipeline, and understanding it is crucial for anyone looking to learn how to animate, improve their production workflow or break into the animation industry.

Here, we'll break down the animation production pipeline into clear, actionable steps, guiding you through each stage of pre-production, production and post-production. From storyboarding to modeling to editing, we'll show you how to efficiently take an animation from a fledgling idea to a finished product.

Pre-Production

1. Concept Development and Storyboarding

A storyboard consisting of six illustrations, each of which has a dark background. Each scene is captioned with a description of what’s happening within it, such as ‘Reveal profile of a cave. Unlit. Silhouettes of rocks.’
In the Skillshare class “Storyboarding for Animation: How to Illustrate and Design for Successful Motion,” teacher Sarah Beth Morgan shows animators how they can use storyboards to plan out their animation projects. 

The first step in any animation's pre-production stage is concept development, which involves brainstorming and developing initial ideas into a coherent storyline. This foundational work sets the tone for the entire project and ensures that the narrative is engaging and well-structured.

Once the initial concept is solidified, storyboarding comes into play. Storyboarding involves creating visual scripts that outline key scenes and sequences, which makes it essential for planning the animation. By creating a storyboard, you’ll make it much easier to visualize the flow of the story and make necessary adjustments before moving on to more time-consuming steps.  

Hint: If your animated film will have dialogue or a voiceover, now’s also the time to start scriptwriting.

2. Character and Environment Design

Three characters on a white background, with each section of each character labeled as either ‘wide’ or ‘narrow.’
In the Skillshare class “Character Design Crash Course: Dynamic Design in Four Steps,” teacher Melissa Lee shows students how proportions can affect character design.

Character design and environment design are also critical aspects of pre-production. This process includes creating detailed character sheets that showcase different angles and expressions of each character, as well as background art that defines the settings in which the story unfolds.

When tackling this step, remember that consistent design is vital for maintaining a cohesive look throughout the animation. With that in mind, take the time to make sure that every fundamental element aligns with your animation's overall aesthetic and narrative vision.

Production 

3. Modeling and Texturing

The 3D graphics software Blender open on a computer. On the left side of the viewport is a model of a frog made out of gray shapes. On the right side is a preview of the finished model, which is a cartoonish green frog with large eyes sitting on a lilypad. 
In the Skillshare class “Blender 3D: Deep Dive Into Modeling,” teacher SouthernShotty3D uses Blender to model a cute frog character from scratch. 

During the production stage, the abstract concepts and designs developed during pre-production begin to take shape through 3D modeling. This involves building the characters and environments in a digital space using 3D animation software like Blender, Maya or Cinema 4D, usually by starting with basic shapes and then progressively adding more details.

Modeling is followed by texturing. This adds surface details to the models and provides them with color, patterns and textures that make them look realistic or stylistically appropriate. High-quality textures are crucial for creating an immersive and believable animation, so be sure to choose yours carefully.

4. Rigging and Animation

A 3D cartoonish blue owl rendered twice. The one on the left is a finished animation of the owl standing on an orange background. The one on the right is an unfinished animation of the owl in an identical pose, with its rig visible. 
In the Skillshare class “Animating in Blender 3D: Your First Character Rig,” teacher SouthernShotty3D demonstrates the basics of character rigging. 

Next up in the production phase is rigging and animation. Rigging is the process of creating a digital skeleton for 3D models, which allows them to move in a realistic manner. This involves setting up bones, joints and control handles you can use to more easily manipulate your models.

The animation phase brings these rigged models to life through techniques like keyframing and motion capture. Keyframing requires manually setting the position of the 3D model at specific points in time, while motion capture records real-life movements—typically with the help of a motion capture suit—and applies them to the models. This stage is where the characters and scenes finally gain motion and emotion, and you get to see your animation come to life.

Post-Production

5. Lighting and Rendering

Blender open on a computer. In the viewport, the user has created a campfire consisting of several logs and orange flames. The flames are emitting a warm orange glow. 
In the Skillshare class “Complete Beginners Guide to Blender 3D,” teacher Harry Helps shows students how to illuminate a cartoon-like campfire in Blender. 

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood and enhancing the aesthetics of your 3D animation. Different lighting techniques can evoke different emotions and highlight important aspects of a scene, so try experimenting with various lighting setups to find the one that works best for your project.

Rendering is the process of generating the final frames of the animation. It involves compiling all elements, including models, textures and lighting, into complete and finished frames. Rendering can be taxing on your computer and may take hours or even days to complete, but it's essential for producing high-quality animations. (Pro tip: If your computer isn't powerful enough to render your animation in a reasonable amount of time, consider using a render farm instead.)

6. Compositing and Editing

The software DaVinci Resolve open on a computer. The user is overlaying white text on a 3D animation of beverage bottles.
In the Skillshare class “Blender 3. 0: Masterclass in Product Animation,” teacher Smeaf shows students how to composite text onto a finished animation in DaVinci Resolve.

Compositing involves combining various visual elements into a single cohesive frame. This process can include adding visual effects (VFX), adjusting colors and layering different elements to create a polished animation and fix any unwanted problems.

Editing is the final stage of post-production in which the final animation is refined and perfected. This includes sound design and sound effects, incorporating additional special effects and ensuring that the animation flows smoothly and meets the desired quality standards. Color grading and color correction are also performed to ensure visual consistency from start to finish.

Elevate Your Animation Skills with Skillshare

Each stage of the 3D animation pipeline—from pre-production to post-production—is essential for creating a top-notch final product. Each step requires a specific set of skills and knowledge, which can be honed through practice and continuous learning.
To embrace continuous learning yourself, enroll in one of Skillshare's many 3D animation classes. Our experienced teachers provide beginner-level tips, advanced tutorials and industry insights that can help you become the best 3D animator you can be.

Written By
Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz is a freelance writer who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and dog.

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