3D Animation

If you’re looking for an animator to help you create a 3D animation, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s animated video production service is perfect for people who want to make 3D animations but don’t have the ability to create animated videos.

So how does it work?

In this comprehensive guide, we will answer all of your top questions, including:

How can Video Igniter create my 3D animation for me?
How much does it cost to create a 3D animation?
What kinds of 3D animations can Video Igniter create?
How long does it take to create a 3D animation?

Answers to all these questions and more are coming up in this comprehensive guide – including tips to help you save 10%-25% or more off your production budget when you hire Video Igniter to create a 3D animation. But first, let’s take a look at examples of the different types of 3D animation that Video Igniter’s production team can create for you.

3D Animation Production Examples

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you. You can see some of our favorite example videos below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Are you looking for a different type of animation example? Send us a message to let us know what kind of production example you want to see and we will follow up with some relevant production samples.

How To Make A 3D Animation With Video Igniter

Video Igniter will guide you through these 8 steps to turn your ideas into a custom designed 3D animation.

1). Get A Quote

Before production begins, our team will work with you virtually to learn about the 3D animation you want to create. To get in touch with our team, send us a message or schedule a call. Our team will ask you questions like:

What kind of 3D animation do you want us to create?
How will the 3D animation be used?
What do you want us to show in your 3D animation?
When do you need the final draft completed by?

After we learn about the 3D animation you want us to create, our team will develop a production proposal and budget for your project. Once we agree to the scope and budget for the project, you will receive a production contract to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.

2). Script

Now that production is underway, Video Igniter’s writers will develop the script for your 3D animation. Our writers will connect with you virtually to learn the following types of information:

Who is your target audience?
What problems do they experience?
What key messages do you want to include in your video?
What do you want people to do when they’re done watching your 3D animation?

These questions enable our writers to develop a script for your 3D animation that conveys your key talking points to your target audience in a way that resonates with them and inspires them to take action when they’re done watching your video.

When the first draft of your script is ready, you will receive a digital copy to review with your team. Have your team add their comments directly on the script document and let us know when all of the feedback has been submitted. Then, our writers will revise the script and share the 2nd draft with you to review and approve.

If additional edits are needed, our writers will continue to work with you to revise and polish your script until you love it.

3). Storyboard

Next, we turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard functions like a blueprint for your 3D animation; it is a set of instructions that the animators and artists use so they know what to create for all of the scenes in your 3D animation. Each page of the storyboard includes:

A sentence from your script.
A sketch or mockup of the scene.
Bullet point instructions that describe the motion that will happen in the scene.

When you review the first draft of the storyboard, help us understand if we’ve included all of the important visual details that need to be shown in your 3D animation. If there is something we left out, let us know so we can add documentation; otherwise the animators and 3D modelers won’t know to add those specific details when they create your 3D animation.

After all of your feedback is sent to us, our storyboard artists will integrate your feedback and then share the 2nd draft of your storyboard for you to review and approve. If additional edits are needed, let us know and we’ll continue to work with you revise your storyboard until everything looks just right!

4). VoiceOver

Video Igniter’s audio team will hand pick a selection of voiceover artists for your 3D animation. Give the auditions a listen and let us know which option is your favorite. We’ll hire the voiceover artist and coach them through the voiceover recording to ensure they use the proper tone & energy for the recording. When the full voiceover is ready, you will get an opportunity to listen to the recording and request edits before we use the audio to create your video.

5). Soundtrack

You will also receive a selection of soundtrack options for your 3D animation. Give them a listen and let us know which option is your favorite. We’ll acquire the appropriate license(s) so we can legally use the music when we create your 3D animation.

6). Concept Art

Before we create all of the 3D models for your 3D animation, our art director will create multiple pieces of concept art. Video Igniter’s art director will review your brand guidelines and any style references you may have shared. Then, the art director will design multiple pieces of concept art based off scenes from your storyboard.

When you review the concept art, share your honest feedback. Let us know what you like and dislike about each concept. This way, the art director can revise and polish your favorite concept until it’s perfect.

7). Create 3D Models

After the concept art is approved, Video Igniter’s 3D modelers will create 3D models for every object, character and piece of scenery that will be featured in your 3D animation. At first, all of the 3D models will look black and white, like this:

When you review the models the first time, the goal is to help us refine the shape and form of each object. If we left out physical details, let us know so we can add them now.

After the 3D models are approved, our art team will add color, lighting and shading to every 3D model. You will get an opportunity to review the colorized models and request edits before we animate your video.

8). Animation

Now that everything is approved, we can create your 3D animation!

Video Igniter’s animators will organize all of the 3D models to create each scene. Then, they will line up the scenes with the timing of the voiceover so everything appears in sync with the narration. Then, the animators will apply animation to the moving elements so your animation comes to life.

When the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to download a watermarked copy of your 3D animation. Share the video with your internal team and members of your target audience to get a wide range of feedback for your 3D animation. After you consolidate the feedback, send it to us so we can revise your 3D animation. After the edits are integrated, you will receive the 2nd draft of your 3D animation to review and approve.

Once the 3D animation gets your approval, our audio team will spend an extra day or two adding subtle sound effects to your 3D animation. We will also master the audio levels between the voiceover, soundtrack and sound effects so everything sounds loud and clear.

You will be able to download the final, unwatermarked version of your 3D animation after you pay the final invoice for your project.

How much does it cost to make a 3D animation?

Most 3D animation projects cost between $5,000-$25,000 to create each minute of video content. High end forms of 3D animation can easily cost $50,000 or more to create each minute of animation.

To put this into context, a 90 minute PIXAR animated film costs +$100,000,000 to make. This breaks down to a cost of over $1,000,000 to create each minute of video. Thankfully, independent animation companies like Video Igniter are much more affordable to work with ;)

Here are 4 ways you can get a quote for Video Igniter to create your 3D animation:

Deep Dive: How to calculate my animation cost?

How long does it take to make a 3D animation?

3D animation takes a lot more time to create compared to 2D animation. If you want us to create a 60-second 3D animation, we recommend starting production at least 8-12 weeks before your due date. Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up the production process but it will increase your production cost.

Deep Dive: How long does it take to animate a 1 minute video?

Budget Saving Tips For 3D Animation Projects

Combine these tips to save 10%-25% or more off the cost of hiring Video Igniter to create your 3D animation:

1). Write The Script For Your 3D Animation

Writing the script for your 3D animation earns you a discount of $500 off the price of each minute of content we create for you. Download our script writing template for help writing the script for your 3D animation.

2). Record The VoiceOver

If you record the voiceover for your 3D animation, we will omit voiceover recording costs from your production budget.

3). Use Free (Legal) Music

Sites like Incompetech offer libraries of free music we can use in your 3D animation. If you find a free song we can legally use in your video, send it to us and we’ll omit music licensing costs from your production budget.

4). Create The Storyboard For Your 3D Animation

Creating the storyboard for your 3D animation enables you to earn an additional discount of $500 off the price of each minute of content we create for you. Download our storyboard template and review the storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to create your own storyboard.

5). Start Production ASAP

Rush delivery is available if we need to speed up the production process to meet the deadline for your 3D animation – however, rush delivery will increase your production budget by 10%-25% or more. If you want to avoid paying extra for rush delivery, schedule a call with our production team or send us a message so we can start working on your 3D animation as soon as possible.

3D Animation Production Resources

These resources are popular among people reading and researching about ways to create a 3D animation:

How To Make A 3D Video

How To Make A 3D Explainer Video

Still have questions about 3D animation?

Do you have a question about 3D animation that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

Watch the demo reel below for examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce for you.

Looking For An Animated Video Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Couldn’t be happier with Derek and his team. The quality of the work for the cost far exceeded expectations and surpasses anything in the market. Derek was patient, offered many revisions, and was overall great to work with.”

Alex Novick – Founder, Sproutly.com

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.