Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is a software service that gives users access to a collection of software developed by Adobe for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography and cloud services. You can pay a monthly or annual fee to use the cloud. You simply download the program off the internet and use it as long as your subscription remains valid. It’s that easy!
Creative cloud gives you access to some of the best digital design apps out there. Some of the apps include Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Lightroom. The great thing about Cloud is that you’re not limited to the confines of your desktop. Everything is stored in the cloud, where you can simply login anywhere and create on the go. You can access your brushes, graphics, text styles, and more across your desktop and mobile apps. You also have access to expert training through hundreds of video tutorials. Prices for creative cloud range anywhere from $9.99/mo to $49.99/mo.
Maya-3D Animation Software
Maya provides high-end character and effects toolsets along with increased productivity for modeling, texturing, and shader creation tasks. It has next-generation display technology, accelerated modeling workflows, and tools for handling complex data. Maya provides demo videos showing features that enable you to tackle challenging character creation and digital animation productions. With Maya you have two pay options; pay as you go or buy. The options can range anywhere from $185/mo and up to rent, or $3,675 to buy.
On a Budget
If you’re designing on a budget, one of the best free programs out there is Blender. It is being made by hundreds of active volunteers from around the world; by studios and individual artists, professionals and hobbyists, scientists, students, VFX experts, animators, game artists, modders, and the list goes on. Blender’s comprehensive array of modeling tools make creating, transforming and editing your models a breeze. Whether it’s simple keyframing or complex walk-cycles, Blender allows artists to turn their still characters into impressive animations. You have tools that help sculpting, simulations, video editing, gaming, you name it, they probably have it. Blender comes with a fully fledged compositor built right in. That means no more exporting to third party programs, you can do it all without leaving the program. Because the Blender community is so large, it comes loaded with a vast array of extensions that you can turn on and off easily.
Tablet
A design tablet is definitely something you shouldn’t go without. It is possible to work without it but once you use one you’ll never want to go back.
Wacom is known for being having great quality gadgets and has tons of options. The Intuos line up is a great place to start, especially for drawing, sketching and photo activities. they have creative pen displays that allow you to work directly on screen with a pressure-sensitive pen.
Bamboo is made by Wacom and a favorite amongst designers. It’s a wireless touchpad that lets you navigate with gestures and write or doodle with a digital stylus. Scroll, zoom, swipe and select intuitively by using familiar gestures. Easily add handwritten notes, sketches or doodles to your digital documents with the simplicity of using a pen. It connects to your computer through a USB radio dongle. They come in a variety of fun colors.
Because Wacom offers so many options of pens, tablets and accessories, their prices can range from $10 for a stylus, to $1,300 for a tablet.