24/01/2024

What is the best software for 3D animation?

In today's world, 3D animation has become an essential part of the entertainment industry. From movies, television shows to video games, 3D animation is used everywhere to create realistic and engaging visual experiences for the audience.

3D Animation software provides users with a platform to create, design, generate and develop animated 3D graphics, simulations, and drawings. They can help artists and designers to make the most unusual fantasies come to life.

If you're looking to break into 3D animation, choosing your software is the most crucial starting point. A good software can help you save a lot of money, time, and effort.

There are plenty of 3D animation software available on the market, but no one ideal software for everyone. Some of the programs are simple, and a few are complicated. Choosing the best 3D animation programs requires consideration of a wide range of factors.

Fortunately, we have listed the 10 best 3d animation programs here, including both free and paid options, highlighting their pros and cons so you can make an informed choice.

What is 3D animation and its importance?

Unlike traditional 2D animation - 2D Animation software, 3D animation is the process of creating animated images and videos that appear to have three dimensions, using computer software.

The software allows artists to create 3D models of objects, characters, and environments. These 3D models are then rigged, animated, and rendered to create the final product.

3D is very technical and you have lots of other elements to consider outside of just animating: modeling, rigging, lighting, rendering, cameras, etc. And all of these things can break or run into issues…

The importance of 3D animation lies in its ability to create visually stunning and engaging content that can captivate audiences and effectively communicate complex ideas.

It is used extensively in film, television, video games, advertising, and education, among other industries.

How to choose the best 3D Animation Software?

Given that different software has different features, usabilities, and prices, it is imperative that you are aware of the program you acquire.

Some animation software is best suited to building games while others are suited to creating cartoons. So the best choice depends on the type of work you want to create.

Pixar, Rockstar, Epic Games and more all have their own approach to animation. Learn what the pros use, If you want to join these companies.

Of course, the cost is another important factor. Being a beginner you may not want to spend a lot on animation software.

10 Best 3D Animation Software

Are you a professional looking for the best premium 3D animation software, or an amateur seeking the best free option? There will be always suitable software in the list below for your choice.

Please note that the 3D animation software below demands high configuration computers to use, Otherwise you may experience frequent crashes.

1. Autodesk Maya

For making beautiful 3D animations, Autodesk Maya is the movies and visual effects industry standard.

Maya is great in doing character and industrial animation. It's also easily customizable, this means that it can be easily integrated with other third-party software.

2. Autodesk 3DS Max

3DS MAX is a popular and easy to use 3D modeling, animation and rendering software.

It was first used in animation of computer games, and then began to participate in special effects production of film.

3. Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is pretty easy to pick up, the rigging tools are great fun to work with if you need to do any TD work or just rig your own models for animation.

The animation tools are great to work with too and if that wasn't enough you get the added bonus of the modeling and sculpting features.

4. Houdini

Houdini is mostly used for VFX and simulation, but you can use Animation in Houdini, especially when it comes to hair, body and muscle dynamics.

You could even use it to animate simulations for certain scenes quicker than animating simulations in other 3D software such as Maya or Blender.

5. Modo

Modo is a versatile 3D software program that can be used for a wide range of applications, including 3D modeling, texturing, animation, and rendering.

It has a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to use, making it ideal for beginners and professionals alike.

6. Blender

Blender, a free and open-source piece of software, is extremely well-liked for its adaptability, potent capabilities, and user-friendly design.

Blender provides a full feature set of tools for developing production quality 3D animations.

There are some complexities to Blender but nothing you can't overcome.

7. Daz Studio

Daz Studio is fundamentally intended for 3D person demonstrating, delivering, and movement.

It offers an easy to use interface and many pre-made 3D models and resources.

8. iClone 8

iClone 8 is a popular software for creating real-time 3D animations, particularly for character animation and virtual production.

It offers a range of features such as motion capture integration, character customization, and real-time rendering.

9. Clara.io

Clara.io is an online 3D animation tool which has AI-powered features like automatic camera framing, motion capture for animation, automated lip syncing based on audio, and more.

You can create cartoon characters, rig them for animation, and use the AI tools to speed up the animation process.

10. Cascadeur

Cascadeur is a standalone software for 3D keyframe animation of humanoid or other characters.

Thanks to its AI-assisted tools, you can make key poses really fast, instantly see physical result and adjust secondary motion.

Conclusion

We hope the above list will help you find the perfect tool for your animation needs.

Every software has a few specific functions and gear that every other application can't substitute. What you go with often comes down to budget, operating system and your tech skills.

Think about which features are most important to you and how you're most likely to use animation software. It can be helpful to write a quick list of your top priorities, that way it'll be easier to decide which animation software is best for you.

Many 3D animation software programs offer free trials. We highly recommend you try a few out to get an idea about how it'd look with your workflow.

Have you found the ideal option for your needs? Don't forget to share it with me in the comments section below.

Related Posts: Veikk Drawing Pads , Best Laptops for GamingBest Laptops for College Students .

FAQs

What is the best free 3d animation software?

Blender is widely considered to be the best free software for making 3D animations.

It supports entirely 2D and 3D pipelines including modeling, rigging, animation, rendering, compositing, and video editing.

Additionally there are some industry standard tools out there that have free learning editions such as Houdini, Nuke, Clarisse.

Can I do 3D animation without drawing?

While drawing skills can be a valuable asset in the world of 3D animation, they are not a strict requirement.

Many successful 3D animators can still make great animations without knowing how to draw.

Do you need a drawing tablet for 3D animation?

No, Generally you don't need a graphics tablet for 3D animation.

3D animators aren't normally drawing anything, they're adjusting controls created by riggers. And, for the most part, that means there's no big advantage to a drawing tablet.

But graphic tablet is still a must-have for anyone looking to simplify the tedious animation and drawing processes.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-3d-animation-software

08/01/2024

Best apps for Taking Notes on iPad, Android, Mac and PC

Note-taking is one of the best habits anyone can instill. The mere act of writing whatever you learn in lectures, seminars, and even life in general, can have a profound impact on your life.

A note-taking app is a lightweight tool that allows you to digitally record information on your device instead of writing it on paper.

You can type, draw, add images, checklists and even attach files to your notes. There are lots of modern abilities which you can check out and you will like it.

The best note-taking apps make it simple and easy to organize essential information and store it for quick access.

What's more, some note taking apps is cross-platform and works on Mac, Windows, Chrome OS, iPadOS and Android – a huge advantage since people normally use all kinds of devices. Everything is also synced across the devices.

Note-taking apps have all but taken the place of paper notes, and, with all of their extensive functions, can help you build an easily-accessible second brain.

There are now hundreds of note-taking tools available to users, But which one is the best for you? Sometimes too many options can be overwhelming.

Choosing the right note-taking app can be a daunting task, but don't worry – We have narrowed down the top 20 picks for note-taking apps to help you.

The 20 Best Note-Taking Apps in 2024

Here are 20 popular note taking apps that are widely used right now. Some are all-around great choices for every note-taking task, while others are more suited to individual or collaborative use.

1. OneNote

OneNote is a comprehensive note-taking app developed by Microsoft. It allows users to create notes in various formats, including text, images, and audio, and organize them in notebooks and sections.

2. Notion

Notion is a versatile productivity app that combines note-taking, project management, and database functionalities. It allows users to create notes and organize them in a hierarchical structure, as well as collaborate with others and track tasks.

3. Evernote

Evernote has been a popular choice for note-taking for many years. It has a wide range of features, including the ability to create notebooks, organize notes with tags, and sync across devices.

4. Obsidian

Obsidian is a great app for taking notes and organizing your thoughts. It's simple to use and has a lot of features that other note-taking apps don't have. The only downside to Obsidian is that it's not free, but it's worth the price.

5. Joplin

Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do app that allows for the creation of plain-text notes and supports synchronization with various cloud services. It runs on iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.

6. Google Keep

Google Keep is a simple and easy-to-use note-taking app that integrates with other Google services, such as Google Docs and Google Drive. It allows users to create notes, lists, and reminders.

7. SimpleNote

Simplenote is a minimalistic note-taking app that allows users to create, edit, and sync notes across devices. It also supports tagging and search functionalities.

8. Standard Notes

Standard Notes is a secure and private note-taking app that offers plain-text editing, encryption, and cross-platform synchronization.

9. Zoho Notebook

Zoho Notebook is a beautiful and intuitive app that lets you create notes, lists, sketches, audio recordings and web clippings.

10. Bear

Bear is a stylish and intuitive note-taking app known for its markdown support, making it ideal for students who need to format their notes efficiently.

11. Notability

Notability is a powerful and versatile note-taking app that allows students to take handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, record lectures, and organize their notes effectively. It also supports syncing with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox.

12. GoodNotes

GoodNotes is another popular app for handwritten note-taking. It offers a wide range of pen and highlighter options, shape recognition, and advanced search capabilities to find notes quickly.

13. Roam Research

Roam Research is a powerful PKM tool designed for pro note-takers to make notes, capture ideas and most importantly connect them up using backlinks & a graph.

14. Squid

Squid is a powerful, intuitive, and delightful Android note-taking app. You can take handwritten notes just like you would on paper, but with many advantages of digital vector ink! Easily markup PDFs to fill out forms, edit/grade papers, take lecture notes, or sign documents.

15. Logseq

Logseq is a personal knowledge management tool that is not well-known, but it's one of the best note-taking apps out there.

Logseq's "interstitial journaling" approach allows for seamless integration of daily tasks and thoughts, making it a useful tool for productivity and organization.

16. Workflowy

Workflowy is a clean and distraction-free app that helps you quickly capture notes, plan your to-do's, and get organized. Simple to use, but incredibly powerful, Workflowy can help you manage all the information in your life.

17. Dynalist

Being an outliner software, Dynalist is a collaborative note-taking tool that can also help you take notes hierarchically. The software organizes information in a way that helps you with recall, much like a second brain.

18. Ulysses

Ulysses is a powerful tool perfect for Mac users who want to take their note-taking to the next level. It is a feature-rich app with a clean and simple interface, making it easy to use.

However, this tool is not freely available, hindering some people from being able to utilize it.

19. Apple Notes

The pre-installed Apple Notes app is a simple and user-friendly option for basic note-taking. It supports text, handwriting, images, and checklists and syncs across all Apple devices.

20. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a document editor and note taking app that can be greatly beneficial in a wide range of scenarios.

Users will find Dropbox Paper's simple and distraction-free layout makes it perfect for everyday writing.

How to choose the best note taking apps?

The app you use for note-taking can have a huge impact on the quality of your notes. You need to consider some important factors before choosing.

We have assessed note taking apps for ease of use, features, organization tools, team collaboration, cloud storage, cross-platform compatibility, handwriting support, and a number of other factors.

Add all types of content

Most note taking apps allow you to add a wide variety of content to your notes. for example, with Audio recording function support, you can record sound bites from your lectures, or even an entire lecture, as a backup to your note-taking.

Using apps like OneNote you can record audio or video into a page, embed online videos and other content, clip from your screen or the web, print documents directly into your notebook and add photographs or scan documents using your devices camera and Microsoft Lens.

Organization Tools

One of the main aspects of note-taking apps is how they organize your notes. There are broadly two organizational systems that note-taking apps use: folders and tags.

Folders are what you'll likely be familiar with from Windows' File Explorer or Finder on Mac.

Tags use a different approach. You first give each note page a unique label (or tag). Then, you can find notes under a specific tag by selecting the tag name in your workspace.

Evernote utilizes a good tagging system. However, it's not the best choice for using folders, as it only offers two layers of depth: Notebooks and Notebook Stacks.

If you want a deeper hierarchy, Notion is a top choice that uses infinitely-nested folders, so you can create a fully fleshed-out structure for your notes.

Team Collaboration

If you're working with a group of colleagues, consider creating a shared online notebook so you can collectively collate notes and resources and add comments without having to physically meet up.

This means you can't lose shared material. Notes can be shared with the click of a button, and as long as they are saved or backed up it's pretty difficult to lose them.

Search Functionality

An obvious reason for you to take notes is so that you can go back and review them later. But sometimes flipping through pages of notes to find one piece of information can be frustrating.

Many note-taking apps offer search functionality where you can search for keywords and phrases to quickly find information. Some note-taking apps even allow you to search your handwriting.

Cloud Storage

If you use OneNote, your notes will be stored in your Office 365 account by default. This will make them available on any device as long as you log into the apps using your University account details.

Most other note taking apps include cloud storage too. Keeping your notes in the cloud means they're available for you to read or add to wherever you are, on any device, and there is less chance of losing them.

Write by hand

Writing by hand can be quicker for some and may feel more natural than typing.

If you have a pen tablet for note taking, you can write directly into app with a stylus, with the option of converting this to text later on.

You can also use a pen to annotate PDF or Word documents when researching or reading documents.

Most note taking apps don't offer the option to write and sketch by hand, which can feel limiting to a lot of people.

Several note-taking apps that support hand-written are OneNote, Evernote, Notability, Goodnotes, Apple Notes, and Squid.

Related Posts: Drawing Pads for Annotating PDF DocumentsBest iPads for DrawingBest Android Pen Tablets.

Price

Our picks include a mix of free and paid options to meet the needs of different users; when possible, we note when free apps also include in-app purchases and what features those extra fees unlock.

When deciding which of the note-taking apps to use, consider what your needs are.

Free and simple apps will deliver a simple experience, but for more complex feature needs you should probably look to an app with a paid for subscription.

Conclusion

Taking notes is a powerful habit to build; one that can dramatically increase your productivity and your creativity.

Note-taking apps keep your information organized and help you focus on what's most important.

We highly recommend these 20 well-known note-taking apps, each with its own strengths and features.

Whether you're looking for a simple, all-in-one solution, or something more powerful and versatile, there's an app for that.

Taking notes has never been more exciting or easier! It is a good idea to try out a few different apps and see which one works best for you.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/20-best-note-taking-apps

27/12/2023

Best Wireless and Bluetooth Drawing Pen Tablets

Wireless drawing tablets are great if you're trying to make a desk looks cleaner, or like drawing with your tablet on your lap.

Mobile productivity hounds who want gear that's ready for travel swear by them, too, and some models are able to be wireless, carried around by itself, and even let you draw directly on the screen.

Thanks to hyper-fast connections and long-lasting batteries, you no longer have to sacrifice some more practical functions to enjoy the freedom of using a wireless tablet.

In fact, they're so fast and reliable nowadays that even the hard-to-please artist crowd is beginning to embrace them.

These days, the pen tablet market offers plenty of wireless options, from basic non-screen units to standalone display tablets.

If you are a beginner and don't have much expertise, picking the best wireless bluetooth drawing tablets for your needs can be difficult.

In this article, we provide all the buying advice and deep-dive reviews you need to select the right wireless drawing tablet.

We've spent hours and hours researching each model, surfing the web, just to bring you a list of the very best wireless graphic tablets around.

What are the two types of wireless drawing tablets?

Bluetooth pen tablets connect with the device over Bluetooth completely wireless connection no need for a dongle.

But some wireless tablets work on 2.4 GHz radio frequency they need a dongle to insert into the USB port of the connecting device.

2.4GHz vs Bluetooth Connection: Which is Better or faster?

The answer depends on what the connection is used for, and what version of Bluetooth you're talking about.

2.4GHz will usually offer lower latency than Bluetooth but use more power.

Bluetooth technology has been refined over the years, but the older versions of it are still used for some applications. The different versions are numbered with the latest version being Bluetooth 5.

The later versions have significantly increased the transmission range as well as the speed and capacity of earlier versions.

In general, when shopping for Bluetooth drawing tablets, it's best to look for tablets using the latest version of Bluetooth.

What are the advantages of a wireless pen tablet?

Wireless drawing tablets are a great way to boost your productivity and comfort levels at work or home.

One of the main advantages of wireless pen tablets is that they eliminate the need for cables and wires that can clutter your desk and limit your movement.

With wireless connection, you can position your tablet wherever you want, as long as they are within the Bluetooth or USB range of your computer.

This gives you more flexibility to adjust your posture, angle, and distance according to your preferences and needs. You can also easily move your devices around if you need to change your location or work on different surfaces.

With no wires, there's little risk of damage or interference due to any accidental pulls or trips over cables!

And it is much easier to transport, since you don't need to worry about pesky wires and cables. This makes it perfect for people who need a mobile solution, such as students, business people, and more.

In addition, The wireless pen tablet also comes with a usb cable for easy plug-and-play in case your device doesn't have Bluetooth or the tablet itself is out of battery.

What are the disadvantages of using a wireless drawing tablet?

Wireless tablet require batteries, which can run out of juice at the most inconvenient times.

Compared to a wired tablet, Wireless tablet can sometimes have a slight delay in their response time, which maybe a disadvantage in situations where precise movements are required.

Wireless tablet can be susceptible to interference from other wireless devices, which can cause the tablet to malfunction or become unresponsive.

The final disadvantage to consider before purchasing a wireless tablet is that there are limited options on models.

Wireless tablets are still rather rare to the market so many of them are expensive and contain a lot of extra features that are not needed.

How to connect a bluetooth drawing tablet to a computer?

To connect your bluetooth tablet to a computer, first, ensure it has enough batteries.

Then, turn on the tablet and activate pairing mode, usually by pressing the "connect" or "pair" button.

Next, on your computer, go to the Bluetooth settings, search for available devices, and select your tablet from the list.

How to choose a wireless drawing tablet?

Apart from introducing a couple of new factors that you need to pay attention to (namely, connectivity and battery life), picking out the best wireless drawing tablet isn't all that different from choosing best pen tablet overall.

Wireless tablets that connect via a USB receiver or dongle can only connect to a computer or device if it has a USB-A port.

Bluetooth connectivity on the other hand does not require any dongle or extra receiver and can therefore easily connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices without the need for any ports.

Likewise, battery life is another consideration. Be careful about what wireless tablet model you choose and how long their rechargeable lithium batteries last.

What are the 3 main types of graphic tablet? Does it support wireless connection?

In the world of graphic tablets you have three kinds: pen tablets without display, graphic tablets with display, and standalone drawing tablets.

1. graphic pen tablets

A non-screen graphic tablet consists of a pen and a plastic pad, with which you can perform various manipulations with information in various art programs.

Since your hand is on the tablet and your eyes are on a computer monitor, So screenless tablets are more difficult to use and take longer time to get used to.

They are a really good option for someone getting started in digital art. The main reasons for this is that they are much more affordable and quite durable.

This type of tablet has Wireless compatibility, You can often choose between a wireless or a wired only model.

Some of the most popular options include: Wacom Intuos, Huion Inspiroy, and XPPen Deco.

2. Pen tablets with screen

There are graphics tablets with screen available in the market. These devices are commonly referred to as "pen displays".

They combine the features of a traditional graphics tablet with the convenience of a built-in screen, allowing you to draw or design directly on the display.

There is a much smaller learning curve and it feels more natural from that perspective. However, Even if they have a display, you still need to hook them up to a computer, so not portable.

They are essentially secondary computer monitors you can draw on. These tablets doesn't have computing units like processor, RAM, storage, battery, and OS inside.

No such "wireless pen display" exists yet, as the amount of data that would need to be transferred wirelessly to get a FHD~4K display to operate unwired from an actual computer is too great.

At the top of this category are the Wacom Cintiq, Huion Kamvas and XPPen Artist. They come in all sorts of sizes with all sorts of options. Every extra, whether it be a bigger screen, or higher resolution functionality, will drive up the price point.

3. Standalone Drawing Tablets

They are powerful and costly machines that act as a full workstation all their own, allowing you to draw without the aid of any extra devices.

Brands like Wacom and Huion offer Dedicated all-in-one tablet workstations (Windows 11): Wacom MobileStudio Pro 13/16, and Huion Kamvas Studio 16 — essentially display tablets with built-in PCs.

Regular consumer tablets have come a long way, Apple's ipad Pros (iPad OS), Samsung's galaxy tabs (Android), and Microsoft's Surface Pros (Windows 11), with its special attention to artistic endeavors - support pen input, has garnered a passionate following.

All these independent drawing tablets can be used wireless, and portable, making them a convenient option for artists who want to create digital art while traveling or away from a computer.

The problem is the software available is limited - especially on android and ipad os, super expensive price, the pressure points on regular consumer tablet are not as good as professional ones.

10 Best Wireless drawing tablets

Here are our top 10 picks for the best wireless drawing tablets with or without a display built in:

1. Ugee S640W

2. XP-Pen Deco MW

3. XP-Pen Deco Pro MW

4. Huion Inspiroy Dial 2

5. Huion Inspiroy Q11K V2

6. Wacom Intuos

7. Wacom Intuos Pro

8. iPad Pro

9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

10. Surface Pro 9

Conclusion

Want to work or play without cables getting in the way? Wireless graphics tablets are becoming increasingly popular due to their mobility and flexibility.

These 10 best Wireless tablets are in different price brackets. Each has particular benefits and a lot will depend on your budget, preference, work type and skill level.

If you have the money for it, wireless standalone tablets with screen would be the best, most natural-feeling option for a mobile solution.

It doesn't matter if you pick the iPad Pro, Samsung galaxy tab or the Surface Pro 9, you will have a wonderful machine to work with.

In case you're a beginner or an intermediate-level artist, sticking to the budget wireless screenless pen tablets is probably a good idea.

They are unbelievably affordable and will still allow you to create artwork as good as anything created with a super expensive tablet.

It's up to you to decide which one best suit you.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/best-wireless-bluetooth-graphic-ta...