3D ANIMATION SOFTWARE: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Each of the products we reviewed are powerful and intricate, which makes choosing between them difficult. To help you decide which application is right for you, we have highlighted the most import aspects of the best 3D animation software packages: features, the user interface and software extensibility.

Modeling Features 
There are multiple modeling styles, including polygon, subdivision and NURBS. Most 3D animation software packages specialize in the polygon and subdivision modeling methods, but the best packages offer NURBS as well. This curve-based modeling technique is ideal for building smooth, organic surfaces necessary for creating things like cars. We also recommend that you look for a soft-selection tool for easy, accurate modeling.

You should select software that simulates a wide range of materials, like muscle, fur, hair, liquid and skin. These materials go a long way towards creating believable characters and settings for your animations. Having them available within your application (without a cumbersome plugin) will make them much easier to apply to your models.

Animation Features
Your character models can really come to life in the animation stage of production if you have the right features at your disposable. We recommend software with support for multiple animation layers with editable motion trails and extra tracks for audio effects. Pose blending also makes the process of animating characters a pleasant and efficient process.

Intuitive User Interface
Those uninitiated in 3D modeling may find themselves lost at the helm within the ocean of features and tools packed into the user interface before them. Unless you have prior experience, you should choose an application that is easy to understand. Intuitive placing of buttons and features will allow you to find what you need without fighting through manuals. We also recommend a customizable user interface for the professionals out there — creating a workspace that fits your unique workflow style can greatly increase your productivity.

Extensibility 
3D animation software packages can do a lot, but the scope of thier functionality can't possibly cover everything you might want do. That is where extensibility comes into play. If your software can't do what you have in mind, you can extend it with plugins and scripts. This gives you the freedom to add functions and features to meet your specific needs.

World creation is extremely complex, and there are innumerable functions and toolsets you will have to master, but it is doable. The best 3D animation software packages give you all the power you need to take those ideas out of your head and give them lives of their own. So go on—build. You are the creator of your world.