What is 3D Animation? Process, Applications & Examples

As kids, many of us grew up watching movies like Ice Age or playing video games that felt like a different world; however, much to our inner child’s disappointment, the magic behind it all is 3D animation!

You may not notice it specifically, but 3D animation is all around us, right within the games we play on our phones, the ads we scroll past on Instagram, and even in online classes where complex ideas are explained using fun visuals.

But what exactly is 3D animation? Is it just a drawing on a computer?

If you are someone who loves creativity, enjoys working with technology, or just wants to understand how those cool effects in movies are made, continue reading.

What is 3D Animation?

3D animation refers to the phenomenon of creating moving, three-dimensional images in videos or movies, used for creating characters in movies, video games, and other areas. You will mostly see 3D animation in animated movies, TV shows, and video games, where characters move, talk, and show emotions just like real people.

Characters like Elsa from Frozen or the dinosaurs from Jurassic World are a product of 3D animations, created through specific software.

In simple words, 3D animation brings drawings to life, but in a way that they look real from every side, just like a sculpture, but on a screen.

Get a Free Counseling Session

Book Now →

Book Now

Book Now →

Process of 3D Animation

Now that you know what 3D animation is, you might be wondering, how is it made?

Creating a 3D animation is kind of like building a movie from scratch, but instead of real-world pieces of equipment, you can only use digital tools and your individual visualization.

1. Modeling (Creating the object)

This is where everything begins. Artists build 3D models of characters, objects, or environments using special software. Imagine shaping clay, but on a computer screen.

Read Also: CGI in Filmmaking: Evolution, Impact & Future Trends

2. Texturing (Adding colors and details)

Next, these plain models need a look, skin tone, clothing, surface texture, etc. This stage is like painting, where artists add colors, patterns, and fine details to make things look realistic.

3. Rigging (Making the skeleton)

Before the character can move, it needs a digital skeleton, which is exactly what rigging is about. This step allows the model to bend, jump, or wave just like a real person.

4. Animation (Bringing it to life)

Thereby, animators make the characters move, deciding on how a character would walk, talk, show emotions, or even fly through the sky.

5. Lighting (Setting the mood)

Just like in photography or movies, lighting plays a big role, creating the mood, be it for a sunny day, a mellow night, or a dramatic moment.

6. Rendering (Final output)

In this step, the computer goes through each frame, one by one, and generates high-quality images based on everything you have designed. It adds lighting, shadows, textures, and movements to create the final output that you see on screen.

7. Post-Production (Final touches)

This is the last stage where small edits, sound effects, and visual effects are added to refine the output further.

Read Also: Impact of Animation and VFX on Advertising and Marketing

Where Is 3D Animation Used?

Let us look at some areas where you will surely see the application of 3D Animation.

1. Film & TV

Think of animated movies like Toy Story, Shrek, or Avatar. 3D animation helps create lifelike characters, magical worlds, and epic action scenes that would not be possible in real life.

2. Video Games

Right from FIFA to Fortnite, every movement, character, and environment in video games are built using 3D animation.

3. Advertising

3D animation is also extensively used in advertisements to amplify the impact and visuals. For example, the cool product ad with flying objects, transforming logos, or smooth motion graphics, all of these are created through 3D animation.

4. Architecture

Before building anything, architects use 3D animation to show how a building will look, inside and out. It helps clients and designers see the final space before it is even made.

5. Education

Imagine learning biology through a 3D model of the human heart or understanding space through animated items.

6. Medical

Doctors and medical students use 3D animation to study surgeries, body functions, and new treatments safely and visually, without needing a real patient.

7. Product Design

Big brands, like Apple and Nike, often use 3D animation to design and test products before making them.

8. Virtual Reality (VR)

VR games and training programs integrate 3D animation to curate a new experience in the digital realm, which people can interact with.

Examples of 3D Animation

Let us look at some real-life examples that show just how amazing this art form can be.

• Pixar gave us Toy Story, the world’s first full-length 3D animated film.
• DreamWorks created hits like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon.
• Unreal Engine is used in games like Fortnite and for virtual production in films.
• Blender is a free, open-source tool loved by beginners and pros alike. It is used for creating 3D models, animations, and even short films.

Read Also: The Evolution of 3D Animation: What’s New in 2025?

At AAFT School of Animation, students are trained to work with the same tools used in the industry.

Career Options in 3D Animation

3D animation has been around for years, but now it is in its prime, and quite popular as the application expands, which also means more and more companies need skilled people who know how to create 3D animation. Once you learn 3D animation, you can explore careers like:

3D Modeler

As a 3D Modeler, you will be responsible for creating objects, characters, and environments

Animator

You must already be familiar with the role of an Animator, so here, you would be making the models that move and express animation.

VFX Artist

VFX Artist does wonders with 3D models, adding special effects to films, TV shows, and ads.

Game Designer

Game designers are the ones who build worlds and characters for video games.

Lighting & Rendering Artist

As a lighting and rendering artist, you would be mainly responsible for the later stages of the 3D animation process, as you make scenes look realistic and produce the final outcome.

Learn from the Best at AAFT School of Animation

If you believe you can thrive in this creative field and plan to build a career in 3D animation, then the reputation and accreditation of the institute where you learn the craft can make a huge difference!

AAFT, with over 33 years of legacy in media, arts, and design, might just be the right choice for you. Let us show you why!

Read Also: How AI is Revolutionizing the World of Animation

Choose the Right Program for You

Regardless of whether you are just starting or want to upgrade your skills, AAFT offers different course options.

• M.Sc. in Game Design and Development
• M.Sc. in Animation and VFX
• B.Sc. in Animation & Visual Effects
• Short-term Diploma courses

Learn Industry-Standard Tools

At AAFT, you will get hands-on training in:

• Autodesk Maya – Used by top studios for modeling and animation
• Blender – Free and powerful for both beginners and pros
• ZBrush – Perfect for sculpting detailed 3D characters
• After Effects & Premiere Pro – For compositing and editing
• Unreal Engine – Learn to animate for games and virtual production

So by the time you graduate, you’ll already be comfortable using the same tools that professionals use in real studios.

Learn from Real Mentors (Not Just Instructors)

At AAFT, classes are taught by working professionals, people who have been part of movies, games, advertising, and digital media.

Read Also: What is the Difference Between CGI and VFX With Examples?

Learn in a Creative, Global Environment

AAFT’s campus is not just about classrooms. It is a creative ecosystem created with state-of-the-art tools, including:

• High-end animation labs
• Green screens and shooting floors
• Workshops and masterclasses with international guests

Conclusion

We have seen how 3D animation is everywhere, from the movies we love to the video games we play, even in fields like education and architecture. It is a creative career that blends art with technology and brings imagination to life in the most exciting ways.

If you enjoy sketching characters, editing videos, or even playing games, then 3D animation could be your future career!

Learn 3D animation and explore the endless potential this creative line holds. However, learning something this creative takes the right kind of training, support, and environment. So, regardless of the niche you want to work within, be it in animation studios, gaming companies, advertising agencies, or start something of your own, AAFT will help you build the skills and the confidence to materialize your dreams!