3D Animation
3D animation is animation produced inside a virtual three-dimensional scene, where modelled objects, characters, lights, and cameras are posed in software and rendered into 2D image sequences.
It is the standard for modern visual effects and feature films, offering depth, solidity, and the ability to view the action from any angle. Myth Studio is a London 3D animation studio producing stylised, craft-led 3D work for brands including Nestle and Chiswick Park.
Related
Related services
Sources
Academic papers, recognised industry standards, and canonical industry texts that back up claims in this entry.
- The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. Thomas, F., Johnston, O., Walt Disney Productions, 1981Supports: historical 3D animation foundations
- Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques. Parent, R., Morgan Kaufmann (Elsevier), 2012Supports: Standard textbook on computer animation algorithms
Frequently asked questions
What's the typical 3D animation pipeline?
Modelling, rigging, texturing and shading, layout, animation, lighting, rendering, then compositing. Each stage feeds the next. The model has to be complete before rigging starts, the rig has to work before animation starts, and the look needs to be locked in LookDev before final lighting and render. Production scheduling protects this order.
How long does 3D animation take compared to 2D?
3D pre-production takes longer because models, rigs, and look development have to be built before animation can start. Once those assets exist, animation itself is comparable to 2D. The full minute-of-3D timeline is typically eight to sixteen weeks at TV quality, longer for film or VFX-heavy work. Render time also adds days at the end.
How is AI changing 3D animation?
AI is starting to assist with auto-rigging, motion capture clean-up, in-betweening, and texture and material generation. We use these inside our AI-assisted animation workflow to remove the slowest manual steps and free animators for the creative work. The character animation, lighting choices, and final renders are still owned by human artists.