Steps in the Animation Production Pipeline

The Animation Pipeline Process

Embarking on an animation project as a client or agency can feel like navigating uncharted waters.

So to help you understand the process, we’ve created this step-by-step guide outlining how we bring our clients’ ideas to life through the animation production pipeline.

At FUSE Animation, we know that every project is unique. While the stages for the animation pipeline may vary, here’s a general overview of our approach for linear animation projects.

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The Animation Pipeline Process: Table of Contents

First Meeting
Design
Storyboard
Animatic
Production
Feedback
Render & Final Delivery
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1.) First Meeting

Steps in the Animation Production Pipeline

The start of the project begins with an initial kick-off meeting. This first meeting is a great opportunity for the members of our 3D animation studio to meet you in-person, brainstorm ideas, and foster collaboration.

For this meeting, we need a:

Concept
Brief
Any other relevant information from the client or agency
Final script and/or voiceover (VO)

Let’s talk about the importance of the script and voiceover:

Script

The story or underlying message of the animation. We can edit a supplied draft to ensure it animates engagingly and succinctly. The client or agency knows their story best, so we’ll work with them to get the tone and message just right for their brand and objectives.

Voice Over (VO)

The voice that will tell the story. We’re partnered with a fantastic sound studio, and at this stage, we’ll use our experience and theirs to find the perfect voice for the project. If the client has any VO references, sharing these can help us select the right person.

2. Design

References are hugely helpful from the start to understand the look and feel the client desires.

Depending on the project, we provide one or more style frames showing our vision for the final film, allowing the client to give feedback on the design. The number of reviews will depend on the schedule and budget.

Send FUSE your references and design ideas and we can begin storyboarding your dream 3D animations!

Related: What is 3D animation?

3. Storyboard

The storyboard lays out the building blocks of the animation and shows how the voiceover will match up with the visuals. This is provided as a PDF document using Boords.

All key scenes are mapped out, giving the client an overview of how the animation will support and enhance the script. It’s important to note that the style frames from the previous stage provide the visual direction, while the storyboard focuses on narrative explanation—imagine a simple pencil-sketched comic strip.

Sharing the storyboard ensures the client is happy with the direction, avoiding delays later. The client will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback—the number of reviews depends on the project’s schedule and budget.

4. Animatic

An animatic pulls together everything so far to create a fully timed-out rough film, demonstrating timing, flow, and pace alongside key movements and transitions of your product, (e.g. beauty products, furniture, medical devices, windows and glass, farming equipment, etc.), actors, and more.

This stage will not include any finesse. We supply our clients with an animatic as a low-resolution MP4 file.

Having a signed-off VO recording at this stage makes animators very happy! A VO placeholder can be used, but changes later may impact workflow, timing, and costs.

If relevant or if the budget doesn’t allow for an animatic stage, we can provide a ‘boardomatic,’ which plays the VO against the storyboard frames to give an idea of scene timings.

5. Production

This is where we bring the story to life frame by frame, adding lighting, textures, and VFX to the renders, creating enchanting moments that turn the piece into something magical and memorable.

The previous steps are crucial to ensure everything is in place before starting the animation itself. All stages need to be signed off before we begin, as changes afterward are harder to implement and might affect timings and costs.

At FUSE Animation, we utilize the Redshift rendering engine for our production, as well as other software. Contact our team to find out more!

Related: What are Interactive Graphics?

6. Feedback & Close of Project

While the client’s feedback will be given throughout the animation pipeline process, this is the stage where they will give their final overall feedback.

At agreed dates and times, the client has the opportunity to review and provide feedback. The amount of feedback incorporated at each stage depends on the project’s schedule and budget. Prompt feedback is crucial to keep the animation process moving. It’s helpful to list requests in priority order to manage them within the agreed timeframe and budget.

During production, touchpoints will be provided as WIPs (works in progress) and sent as low-resolution MP4 files. The number of WIPs varies depending on the project’s timeframe and budget.

At approval or sign-off points, the latest version must be signed off by all key stakeholders before moving on to the next production stage.

7. Render & Final Delivery

With the final agreed amendments in place, the FUSE team will provide a low-resolution MP4 file for the final sign-off. Once approved, we’ll render and deliver a full-quality file of the animation to the client.

Any changes beyond this point are possible – however please note that they may require additional costs and impact delivery. At FUSE, we do our best to try and avoid this.

Rendering and delivery can take time depending on the size and nature of the files, but the wait is well worth it when you get the final 3D animation!

Contact FUSE for 3D Animation Services!

3D animation and stills , renders, interactive graphics, VR, and AR, are our speciality! If you have a vision for your 3D animation trailers and commercials? With more than 25 years in the animation industry, FUSE can help you create and advertise with 3D animations that you’ll be proud of!

We handle the most simple to complex modeling and animations. Let’s connect and develop a long-lasting relationship and build an effective 3D animation marketing strategy.

Let's Talk About Your Project!

Steps in the Animation Production Pipeline