The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators Paperback – Illustrated, September 25, 2012

Wow! Got this as a gift for a friend.First off I was surprised by how thick and heavy this book was. It's definitely a must have for those interested in animation and really any art student that's working on dynamic movement.We're both artist, but he's much more into animation than I am. After flipping through the pages, I see that this is also just another good art book for anyone interested in dynamic movement and poses. It also has a couple of pages with a small focus on perspective.Secondly this whole book is just great quality. Glossy and thick pages. For nearly $35 and 380 pages, this is just a great deal. I may look into this for myself if the price were to drop though.I really appreciate how this is not just a technical book, but it's really easy to read. From what I'm looking at, there's no crazy jargon and or pretentious writing.

It wasn't too bad and had some really useful advice and imagery.

Bought this book for a college class. 10 years later I am still using this book when it comes to squash and stretch animation. The concepts are easy. Lots of illustrations and thought exercises. I have a few friends that animated for Disney and they keep this book at their desks.

I am mostly a self-taught 2D traditional animator. This book has a fountain of information. Most of the big animation studios have the first and second edition, in their information/reference library. You can learn how to animate, by using this book with the foundations and beyond to begin making your own animation.I just bought it not too long ago and started reading on day one; and being a 2D Animator for over fifteen years - there is so much more I have yet learned from this book. A definite must have for all old and new animators.

Blessed to have this wonderful book.Extremely well done, precision.A must for anyone looking to Animate.

The best part of this book is its recognition of the PROCESS of learning something as marvelously complex as cartoon animation. It is filled with anecdotal views of what and how one learns to do it all better and more believably. It also captures the skills and determination of many of the great artists from the golden age of animation.It is also unapologetic about being entirely about cartoon (drawn) animation, even though the author does recognize that most of the principles he discusses have validity to all forms of animation.As a teacher (and student) of animation, I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. The first 20 pages are a useful summary of the main historical moments in the development of animation, and the next 15 are all about Life Drawing skills, and the next four talk about basic animation timing. The first real anecdote of many breaks in at this point, and then the author returns to direct information exposition thereafter, but these anecdotes can often make it somewhat distracting to find the useful bits amongst the reminiscences.Nevertheless, it's worth the read in spite of the editorial comments, and sometimes because of them. The included DVD (I have the expanded edition) is fun to watch, and brings to "life" some of the examples discussed in print.

I needed a copy of this book for my computer animation class in college and didn’t think I would enjoy reading a required reading textbook but I sure did! The book offers many definitions, examples and things to know for all things animation. I love that it has actual drawn examples on how to maintain continuity in drawings and even has some guides to 3D animation. Awesome book!

Book is worth it if you are starting out. A little cemetery here and there. But you have to follow along with it. The hard back is worth it. Not the paper back.