A Newbie’s Guide to AI Animation: Myths, Facts, and Hilarious Realities

Getting consistancy in AI image generation is difficult

A misty afternoon on the out skirts of a small town a sleek black BMW M3 is parked next a dinner. A life like tall slim short haired ginger cat in a white suite with a black tie, dark sunglasses is walking like a human towards the car

Let’s face it: AI animation is the new kid on the block, and everyone wants a piece of the action. But before you dive in thinking you’ll create the next Pixar masterpiece during your lunch break, let me burst a few bubbles, sprinkle in some truths, and share my laugh-out-loud journey in the world of AI animation.

Image shows how difficult it is to get AI to put a character behind a windscreen of a car
Louis The Ginger Cat is sitting like a human in the driving seat of a metallic blue BMW M3 convertible. he is in a smart white suite wearing dark sunglasses. The camera is positioned above and behind the car, capturing the action as the car speeds towards

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Fact: You Can Create Quick Animations

Yes, AI animation can whip up a 5-30 second clip faster than you can decide on what to order for dinner. Moving avatars, swanky backgrounds, or light scene animations? Done and dusted. But if you're after something groundbreaking, hold your horses.

Free Animations: Not as Free as You’d Think

Sure, most platforms offer free credits to get your feet wet. But completely free? Dream on. You’ll likely spend more time signing up for every AI animation platform out there than animating itself. Or, gasp, you’ll need to cough up some cash for subscriptions.

Fiction: Blockbuster Animations in 3 Minutes

Nope. If you think you’re going to write three lines of text and debut your animated epic at Cannes, think again. AI animation might dazzle with standard clips, but when it comes to complex storylines or actual consistency, prepare for some serious frustration.

The Real Struggle

After months of experimenting, here’s what I learned:

  1. Software Roulette
    Creating something unique and polished means juggling multiple tools. You’ll need at least two AI image generators for characters and scenes, and trust me, generating just the right image can take 20+ attempts.

  2. AI Logic (or Lack Thereof)
    AI has a funny way of taking creative liberties. Want a character behind a car windshield? You’ll end up with something resembling abstract art instead. Sometimes, switching tools is the only solution.

  3. Censorship Challenges
    Platforms like Microsoft Designer and Bing often have strict content filters. (Pro tip: If “legs spread apart” gets flagged, use creative phrasing like “legs positioned outward.” You’re welcome.)

The Cost of Creativity

AI loves to burn through credits. Want soundtracks? More credits. Want sound effects? Yep, credits. To save some cash:

  • Use free AI tools like Pixabay Sound Effects and Udio for audio.
  • Create characters and backdrops with free AI image generators before importing them into your animation.

Pro Tip: You’ll Need a Video Editor

For animations longer than 20 seconds with multiple scenes, AI alone won’t cut it. I rely on tools like Clipchamp and ShotCut to stitch scenes together, add soundtracks, and fix AI’s quirks.

Reality Check: It Takes Time

Creating a 30-second animation can take up to five hours! Why? Because AI loves to throw curveballs—random objects, inconsistent characters, you name it. If you’re not careful, you’ll run out of credits faster than you can say, “animation.”

The Bright Side

AI animation is amazing for quick, visually stunning clips. It’s particularly brilliant with sci-fi themes, but for consistency and control, you’ll need patience, creativity, and a few traditional tools like Blender (prepare for a steep learning curve).

Final Takeaway

AI animation isn’t a magic wand—it’s more like a quirky assistant. Use it as part of a toolkit, and you’ll speed up your process while keeping your sanity. Who knows? With enough persistence (and maybe some help from Blender), you might just create the next viral short. Enjoy the ride, and don’t forget to laugh when your AI generates a two-headed protagonist by accident! 🎥✨

Some animation examples that I have created with the help of AI

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