What?

[weeblrock]

basicaly i'm a total newb to animation, i'm trying to make a few animated shorts but i have no idea how to, i figured the best thing to do is to get everything i need then figure out how to work it

so what software do i need? modelling software? texturisng software? i dont want any high end stuff just enough to do a 2d animated short, preferably something with a price tag

any help appreciated

[Terro]

For 2d you do not need a modeling oer texturing software. Flash or Toonboom will do you just fine.

[pixelmark]

The cheapest way to get started quick is PlasticAnimationPaper (http://plasticanimationpaper.dk/) (FREE!). From there it can export the animation as a series of jpegs, though you will need some way to put that together for an exportable file. You could use Quicktime pro. Toonboom and Flash have many more features, and in the long run are well worth it!

[weeblrock]

So if i'm going to draw, animate and record audio for this cartoon short, all i need is

Flash
Toon Boom (opus?)
Adobe illustrator CS2 (something i already have)

right?

[flashcartoons]

i only use flash

[ElusiveMoose]

Yeah, if you're just getting started, I'd limit myself to as few programs as necessary. I'd say for now to go with either ToonBoom or Flash (actually, I'd recommend Plastic Animation Paper or just a stack of animation paper and a light table). You won't need both at this stage. And if you go for ToonBoom (unless you're rich), you're going to want Studio.

Though, I think they're now offering a free learning edition of Digital Pro (http://toonboom.com/products/digitalpro/eLearning/ple.php). That might be a good way to go just to get started.

Photoshop isn't necessary unless you're doing photo animation like JibJab, though it's nice for painting backgrounds.

Illustrator isn't necessary either, but might make some of the vector drawing easier if that's what you're used to.

Basically, start as simply as possible. See how you like to work. What features matter to you. Then go from there.

Good luck.