Learn how to think before you animate. Thinking Animation is a one-of-a-kind book that emphasizes how artists can use traditional animation techniques and principles with the computer generated animation technology of today. Written by seasoned animators with experience in both 2D and CG, Thinking Animation is an exquisite guide aimed at experienced animators; however, the skills taught within are still accessible and valuable to the novice animator. This full-color book includes numerous interviews with experienced contributing authors from a wide range of backgrounds, including stop-motion, visual effects, traditional animation, and CG. Thinking Animation is non-software specific. It contains a history of the field of animation as well as insight into how CG studios operate. It embraces the future of animating with the computer while still retaining the core values that traditional animators use as formulas and principles.

Really well written and interesting book.

This book is just fantastic, it was such a pleasure to read that I really hoped it would not end.

I found it different from other books on the subject as it gives you an overview about most processes in animation and helped me solidify some concepts that I was not sure about. It’s not a technical book so don’t expect step by step tutorials, which I think it’s great as it wasn’t intended to be. It’s a book you can just enjoy on the couch with out trying to follow and press buttons.

I recommend this book to really any one who wants to have an inside look at the animation world, any one who really wants to get to grip with the terms and concepts of animation.

Best chapter was the one on acting as it really supplied some stellar advice and ideas.

Really well written and interesting book.

This book is just fantastic, it was such a pleasure to read that I really hoped it would not end.



I found it different from other books on the subject as it gives you an overview about most processes in animation and helped me solidify some concepts that I was not sure about. It’s not a technical book so don’t expect step by step tutorials, which I think it’s great as it wasn’t intended to be. It’s a book you can just enjoy on the couch with out trying to follow and press buttons.



I recommend this book to really any one who wants to have an inside look at the animation world, any one who really wants to get to grip with the terms and concepts of animation.



Best chapter was the one on acting as it really supplied some stellar advice and ideas.

Excellent!!!!

An incredible source of insight and information even for a novice like me. The layout and flow makes this an easy read, interesting, and useful.
The insight is just what I was looking for. Thanks to the authors and editors. A great book!

Great resource

"Thinking Animation" is a good overview and learning resource for anyone that wants to know how the magic of animation is made. It covers all the basic principles of animation, breaks them down and explains how they’re used. It’s not a step by step instruction manual of animation, though. If you’re an animation student, no matter what the medium: hand drawn animation, flash animation, 3D animation, stop motion animation, etc, this book is an excellent ’text book’ that covers just about everything.

Modern Day Reference Bible for 2D and 3D Artists

I thought it was going to be Richard Williams’s style book but it wasn’t and in fact im kind of pleased. To me it’s more like a book full of wise wisdom and tricks of the trade and really explains things in a clear cut way. If only I had this book when I first started out in the whole learning 3D thing 6 years ago this would have been my bible for deciphering most of the terms and understand what they really mean.

I really like the book has point of views from different people and how they approach their work. A really insightful book and helpful for people who have a 2D background and going to a 3D one, as there are so many terms in 3D that you don’t find in 2D e.g. a graph editor and tweaking f curves. For those with a 3D background already I think book will help achieve more from their 3D animation.

This book would have really helped me a lot when I was do my dissertation called as it covers nearly every aspect I was talking about and would have saved me time, it was even helpful to see where Angie and Jamie had referenced there information from too.

All in all I think for some people as soon as they see too much text it might put them off as after all animators/creative are visual people. But on the other hand if your passionate enough and want to learn from the best or knowledge that’s been past down from animator to animator its a worthy buy and for me its been a worthy buy - a book fully loaded with knowledge and wisdom, what more could you want, its like having the best animator sitting right next to you.

Modern Day Reference Bible for 2D and 3D Artists

I thought it was going to be Richard Williams’s style book but it wasn’t and in fact im kind of pleased. To me it’s more like a book full of wise wisdom and tricks of the trade and really explains things in a clear cut way. If only I had this book when I first started out in the whole learning 3D thing 6 years ago this would have been my bible for deciphering most of the terms and understand what they really mean.

I really like the book has point of views from different people and how they approach their work. A really insightful book and helpful for people who have a 2D background and going to a 3D one, as there are so many terms in 3D that you don’t find in 2D e.g. a graph editor and tweaking f curves. For those with a 3D background already I think book will help achieve more from their 3D animation.

This book would have really helped me a lot when I was do my dissertation called as it covers nearly every aspect I was talking about and would have saved me time, it was even helpful to see where Angie and Jamie had referenced there information from too.

All in all I think for some people as soon as they see too much text it might put them off as after all animators/creative are visual people. But on the other hand if your passionate enough and want to learn from the best or knowledge that’s been past down from animator to animator its a worthy buy and for me its been a worthy buy - a book fully loaded with knowledge and wisdom, what more could you want, its like having the best animator sitting right next to you.

A must read for the modern animator

Being a professional animator, I was anxious to read this book. I finally got hold of a copy and was really impressed. The stage is set with a well researched history of the dynamically changing world of animation. Then the title theme comes into play in a very authoritative explanation of the art and craft of CG animation, with its roots in the traditional methods. What I liked was that the techniques discussed are not limited to any particular software package. A smart decision by the authors, as this book is not likely to ever go out of date. Adding spice throughout the book are anecdotes by various pros in the business, which are often quite humorous. THINKING ANIMATION is a must read for both practicing and armchair animators.