Posts Tagged ‘Computer’

Liven Up Your Dull Computer With Free Animated Cursors

If you want something beyond the typical, dull cursor, you can add excitement to your computer with a cute animated cursor. Several sites offer these animated cursors at no charge. Animated cursors are available in a wide variety of themes, from stars and flowers to anime characters to nostalgic cartoon characters.

My favourite animated cursor is one of Homer Simpson. I grew up watching The Simpsons, so having an animated Homer floating around my desktop is a great way to remember how much I loved the show when I was little. Even when I’ve had a horrible day, getting on my computer and seeing Homer dance as I browse the Internet never fails to make me smile. Finding the perfect animated cursor was as easy as a quick visit to an animated cursor website and downloading the cursor I wanted. Installation was fast and simple. Some sites that offer animated cursors also have programs available that allow you to design your own animated cursors. If you can’t find the perfect cursor for you, you can use the software and design the exact cursor that is right for you.

With all the animated cursors available, finding the right one should be a cinch. Many sites feature animated cursors from classic television shows, cartoon and movies, like Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, 101 Dalmatians, The Little Mermaid or Harry Potter. For the sci-fi or computer geek, there are a huge amount of cursors with a science fiction theme. You can get Star Trek, Red Dwarf, Stargate SG-1, Star Wars or Battlestar Gallatica animated cursors, or just about any other popular science fiction television show or movie. Computer geeks can choose from a variety of animated cursors featuring characters and items from EverQuest II, World of Warcraft, and other massively multi-player online role-playing games. Comic book geeks would enjoy X-Men, Spiderman or Batman animated cursors. Just for fun, you can even get an animated light saber cursor. Whatever you like, there’s bound to be a cursor that can help you express your devotion to your favourite cartoon, television show, movie or game.

Computer Animation Jobs Comes In Different Varieties

If computers fascinate you, then there are some really great jobs in the industry that you may want to check out, especially in the design, animation and graphic genres. Many of the individuals that have computer animation jobs started out with a love of movies, cartoons and graphics.


This type of career will allow you to help design computer animation programs, design 3D or 2D animations and possibly even develop computer games. This has the potential of being more than a job, as it may very well develop into a career you adore.


Although a computer animation degree is not absolutely necessary for this type of employment, it can certainly be helpful. Many of the major companies have “scouts” that go around and check out the many computer animation programs and speak with students about this as a career possibility.


This type of career is perfect for stimulating your imagination while letting you design and learn different techniques. You may decide to go into movie animations or gif animations or any number of other possibilities.


Even the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences offer internships to qualified individuals who are interested in computer animation jobs. Unlike a regular internship, they also offer a salary and are great about allowing creative freedom to the potential employees.


The field of animation has all kinds of possibilities for writers, character designers, illustrators and animators. Television and movie projects offer a realm of chances for success to beginners, as well as veterans. You have the chance to explore different areas of the industry, such as art animations, animations videos and a number of other specialties.

Diverse Opportunities With A Computer Animation Degree

If you’re considering a computer animation degree and have been discouraged by people telling you that there isn’t much opportunity in this field, don’t believe it. Computer animation is actually a field that covers an incredible amount of territory and is currently in need of qualified, talented people. What surprises many people is the diversity of opportunities for individuals with a computer animation degree.

The first and most obvious opportunity (and the one that usually generates someone’s initial interest) is computer animated films such a cartoons and feature length movies. A generation ago these weren’t even dreams, but today some of the greatest money making films of all time have been computer animated. Studios like Pixar and Industrial Light and Sound are staffed by computer animators who design their films from conception to final cut.

Not Just Movies Anymore

But you don’t have to move to Hollywood to put a computer animation degree to good use. In fact, large cities that have dynamic advertising industries are increasingly drawing computer animation specialists. Advertising firms recognize the value of unique, unusual and compelling commercials, and computer animation is a favorite method of catching viewers’ attention in today’s marketplace. Whether it is talking lizards or elaborate accidents, animation takes advertising to the next level.

Theme parks also rely heavily on those with computer animation degrees to make their rides and other features more appealing. How many times have you waited in a long line for an attraction and been entertained by a short animated feature that sets the tone for the coming attraction? Today’s haunted houses and many other entertainment venues feature some form of computer-generated animation as either the main component or to enhance the overall effect.

Find the Right Computer Animation School

Animation schools can train students to work in film animation or specifically in the digital field with computer animation. Typically animation schools offer a variety of 2-D and 3-D animation courses, which will allow you to find work as an illustrator in many different types of media. Animation schools are available for students with all levels of experience, so be sure to explore your options.


Computer


Animators make use of computers and other electronic devices to produce drawings and characters. All the computer skills in the world can’t mask a bad artist, however, so make sure that you find a program where you’ll spend the long, necessary hours to hone your craft.


Programs


Animation school graduates can choose to focus on classical animation, film animation, digital animation, or specialize in a specific area of computer animation. Some arts and animation programs are offered online and these courses can be a great option for students that are self-motivated and are able to manage their time and make course work a priority in their lives. If you are interested in learning more about online computer animation schools and other programs of study, please search our site for more information and resources.


Career


Animation has evolved into a lucrative career path. Earning your art degree can go a long way toward helping you succeed in your chosen career. Most animators start out as assistants on their way towards a successful career in computer animation. It may seem unimportant, but this beginning role in a company gives students a new, refreshed perspective on learning the necessary skills of that particular company.


Technology

The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Edition

Product Description
An insightful, up-to-date look at creating in the digital environment
In a practical, easy-to-understand format, The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects covers every aspect of creating and outputting fully rendered three-dimensional computer still images or animations, including visual effects for live action. Along with helpful insights into the newest techniques available in the latest software programs and hardware, this new edition provides solid co… More >>

The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Edition