Create 3D Animation | How To Create A 3D Animation

Do you want to hire an animator to create a 3D animation but aren’t sure how to get started?

Video Igniter’s guide to creating custom animations teaches everything you need to know including:

• How to create a 3D animation with a professional animator?
• What does it cost to create 3D animation?
• How long does it take to create 3D animations?
• Tips to help you save +$1,000 when you hire an animator to create your 3D animation.

But first, let’s take a look at some examples of 3D animations that Video Igniter can create for you:

Examples Of 3D Animations Video Igniter Can Create For You

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you.

Check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

To start creating your 3D animation, contact us or schedule a call with our production team.

Are you looking for a different style of 3D animation? 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.

 

What Does It Cost To Create A 3D Animation?

3D animations tend to cost over $7,500 to create each 60-seconds of animation. For context, PIXAR’s 3D animated films cost over $1,000,000 to create each 60 seconds of animation.

Want to figure out how much it will cost to create your 3D animation? Send us a message to get a custom quote, schedule a call with our production team or fill out this questionnaire.

How To Create A 3D Animation With Video Igniter?

Let’s take a quick look at how to create a 3D animation so that you understand what’s involved during every stage of the production process.

1). Contact Us

To start production on your 3D animation, get in touch with the animation team you’re hiring to create your 3D animation.

Send us a message about your animation.

Schedule a call to discuss your 3D animation project.

We’ll work with you to develop a production plan and quote for your dream video. Our team will also spend some time getting to learn:

• Who your target audience is?
• What key messages you want to convey to your audience?
• What action do you want your audience to take after watching your 3D animation?
• What visual style you want to use to create your 3D animation?
• What do you want to show in your animation?

After we agree on the scope of the production project and budget, we will send you a production agreement to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.

2). Script

Our team will use the information we learned from you to develop the first draft of the script for your 3D animation. We will review your script with you to ensure your key talking points are addressed in a way that resonates with your target audience and make revisions as necessary.

3). Storyboard

Next, we will turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard acts like a blueprint when we create your 3D animation. The storyboard provides instructions for the 3D modelers and animators so that they understand what to create and how to make things move during every sentence of your script.

We’ll go over the storyboard with you to ensure all of the visual storytelling aspects of your animation are designed to enhance the presentation of your key messages. If changes are needed, we will update your storyboard and share the 2nd draft with you to review and approve for production.

4). VoiceOver

You will receive voiceover auditions from several voiceover artists. Give them a listen and let us know which one you prefer. Our team will hire that voiceover artist to record the full narration and license the recording for use in your 3D animation. We will send the full recording to you to listen to so that you can review it and request edits or approve it for production.

5). Soundtrack

Music is used to enhance key moments in 3D animations. Our producers will select several options that we feel will enhance the presentation of your 3D animation. Give them a listen and let us know which one you prefer. Then, we’ll acquire the broadcast license for the soundtrack so that we can legally use it when we create your 3D animation.

6). Concept Art

After your storyboard is approved, our art director will begin developing concept art for your 3D animation.

You will receive multiple pieces of concept art to choose from. After you select your preferred visual concept, you can collaborate with our art director to refine the visual details of the concept until you love it.

7). 3D Models

Following the approval of your concept art, our team will begin developing all of the 3D models needed to create your animation. We will first have you review the blank 3D models so that you can request edits to their visual form.

Next, we’ll add coloring and textures to your 3D models. You will be given another opportunity to review the models and request edits before approving them for production.

8). Animatic

For certain projects, we may create an animatic for you to review and approve. An animatic is like a storyboard that is synced up with the timing of your voiceover. Its purpose is for us to ensure we have the timing nailed down for very element in your 3D animation before we spend the time creating all of the motion design.

We will share the animatic with you to ensure we have the timing nailed down for all details before we begin animation and make edits as necessary.

7). Animation

Now that everything is approved, it’s time for us to create your 3D animation. 3D animation is a labor intensive process and it could take a week or more to create your video. As soon as the first draft is ready, will share it with you to review. Give the animation a detailed review and organize all of your edits together into a single list. We’ll integrate all of your edits and then render out the final draft of your 3D animation for you to use.

How Long Does It Take To Create A 3D Animation?

Expect production to take at least 1-2 months to create your 3D animation. This style of animation requires detailed planning to ensure your animation is created accurately, the first time. We recommend starting 3D animation projects as early as possible to avoid adding rush delivery costs to your production budget.

Want to figure out how long it will take to create your 3D animation? Schedule a call with our production team or send us a message with details about your project and we will create a production timeline for your animation project.

How To Save +$1,000 When You Create A 3D Animation?

Combine these five tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of creating your 3D animation:

1). Start Production ASAP

Rush delivery can increase your 3D animation production budget by 25%-50% or more! You can skip this production cost by starting production on your video as soon as possible.

2). Use Free, Legal Music

Stock soundtracks cost $20-$500+ to license. Popular songs can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars to license for commercial videos. You can skip this production cost by sourcing royalty free music from Incompetech or Facebook’s sound collection.

3). Write The Script For Your Animation

Script writing costs average out to $500 for every 60 seconds of 3D animation we create for you. You can skip this production cost by writing the script for your animation yourself. Not sure how to get started? Download our free script writing template to learn how to create your own script.

4). Create The Storyboard For Your Animation

Storyboard creation costs are also in the neighborhood of $500 for every minute of 3D animation we create for you. You can of course skip this production cost by creating the storyboard yourself! Download our free storyboard template and storyboard creation guide to get started.

5). Record The VoiceOver

VoiceOvers tend to cost $50-$500 to record and license for commercial 3D animation projects. But did you know you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free – no need to buy any expensive equipment or professional software. If you want to skip this production cost, check out 1:31 in this video to learn how to record professional quality voiceovers for free.

Still have questions about creating 3D animations?

Do you have a question about creating 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.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Need help syndicating your animated video? Ask us about video promotion!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

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.

“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 with our production team 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.