How to make a 2D animated web-series

A broad overview of how to make a 2D animated web-series, using examples from Yesterday's Heroes (youtube.com/user/yesterdaysheroesTV). Software used: Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere and Blender.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments!


Further reading:

~ Backgrounds ~
3D models are all made in Blender - blender.org
Inking is done in Illustrator - adobe.com/au/products/illustrator.html‎
How to use the Pen Tool in Illustrator - vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/illust…

~ Characters ~
Characters are drawn in Illustrator - adobe.com/au/products/illustrator.html‎
A good tutorial on preparing characters for animation using Illustrator and AfterEffects - sketchypictures.com/1111/create-cartoons-ch1/

~ Animation ~
Animation is done in AfterEffects - adobe.com/au/products/aftereffects.html
Skeletal animation / inverse kinematics is done using DUIK - duduf.net/?page_id=151
A good tutorial on getting started with DUIK - vimeo.com/7872163
A good tutorial on using time-remapping to control facial expressions, which also covers phoneme-based lip synching - podcasts.creativecow.net/after-effects-tutorial…
A good overview of the basic phonemes required for lip synching - adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/lip-sync-smartm…
John Lasseter of Pixar explains the basic principles of animation - siggraph.org/education/materials/HyperGraph/ani…

~ Editing ~
Editing is done in Adobe Premiere - adobe.com/au/products/premiere.html‎