Absolute Beginner
Basically, one of three programs creates flics (animations):
Autodesk Animator (2D, 320×200 resolution 256-color flics) Autodesk
Animator Pro (2D, any-resolution 256-color SVGA flics) Autodesk 3D Studio
(3D, any-resolution flics plus broadcast quality animation)
Soon, a new product, Autodesk Multimedia Explorer will come out. It will be
a collection of Autodesk Animator, a Windows player for flics, and a CD-ROM
featuring a huge collection of animations.
If you just want to get into this on the ground floor and don't require
high-resolution animations, wait for the Explorer. If you definitely want
to use high-resolution 2D, purchase Animator Pro. If you're interested in
the ultimate–3D animation, go after 3D Studio. If you just can't wait, but
can only afford low-resolution, run out to an Egghead and pick up Autodesk
Animator.
Animator Pro and 3D Studio are available only through authorized Autodesk
Multimedia dealers. Autodesk Animator can be found in Eggheads. I'm not
sure where Explorer will be sold. There's a special 800 number to get a
list of dealers, but I can't remember what it is. There are several dealers
on line here. Maybe one of them can give you the number and some general
prices.
– Jack