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3d modeler vs animator

The differences between 3d modelers and animators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a 3d modeler and an animator. Additionally, an animator has an average salary of $76,853, which is higher than the $75,946 average annual salary of a 3d modeler.

The top three skills for a 3d modeler include animation, adobe photoshop and visualization. The most important skills for an animator are animation, motion capture, and storyboards.

3d modeler vs animator overview

3D ModelerAnimator
Yearly salary$75,946$76,853
Hourly rate$36.51$36.95
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs1,245551
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

What does a 3d modeler do?

A 3D modeler is responsible for designing project models by utilizing various software applications and computer tools to represent high-quality digital content that would help the team and clients visualize the object. 3D modelers work closely with the design team to evaluate ideas and identify its feasibility scope on an enhanced digital view, giving them the ability to adjust and revise structures as needed. A 3D modeler must have excellent technical and critical-thinking skills to understand the clients' specifications and recommend solutions through graphics analysis.

What does an animator do?

The animators are specialized artists who conceptualized ideas from their creative minds with technology applications. Animators cater to different specialties depending on their expertise. They used multiple techniques and tools to create a digital masterpiece. An animator is required to have an excellent time and project management skills to meet deadlines. They should also be detail-oriented and technology savvy to keep up with the latest trend in the digital market. Animators are required to have regular communication with the respective department for the updates or adjustments as needed.

3d modeler vs animator salary

3d modelers and animators have different pay scales, as shown below.

3D ModelerAnimator
Average salary$75,946$76,853
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $114,000Between $52,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALas Vegas, NV
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyMedia

Differences between 3d modeler and animator education

There are a few differences between a 3d modeler and an animator in terms of educational background:

3D ModelerAnimator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorAnimationAnimation
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

3d modeler vs animator demographics

Here are the differences between 3d modelers' and animators' demographics:

3D ModelerAnimator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 81.4% Female, 18.6%Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 7.5% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between 3d modeler and animator duties and responsibilities

3d modeler example responsibilities.

  • Manage design collaboration and storyboard creations.
  • Partner with clients and a team of engineers to create detail and effective, multimedia training and sales aids.
  • Lead FX artist in creation, development, and implementation of particle flow and rigid body simulations to production pipeline.
  • Establish project direction and concepts, develop character designs and storyboards, and coordinate art assets from the project team.
  • Refine 3d concepts for production and rapid prototyping
  • Sketch technical drawings for architectural drawings and client presentations.
  • Show more

Animator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team of artists to create the art and animation for motion comics aspects of the show.
  • Train & supervise newly appoint employee in achieving realistic looking effects and help integrating the effects in compositing with cg elements.
  • Create many logos for a YouTube sketch.
  • Sketch every seen multiple times utilizing several camera angles and character blocking.
  • Assist in the animation development of learning videos and nursery rhymes for YouTube.
  • Implement uniform display geometry to support texture artist and UV mapping artist, demonstrating advance UV mapping skills.
  • Show more

3d modeler vs animator skills

Common 3d modeler skills
  • Animation, 10%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 7%
  • Visualization, 7%
  • Texture, 6%
  • UV, 5%
  • Auto CAD, 5%
Common animator skills
  • Animation, 36%
  • Motion Capture, 7%
  • Storyboards, 5%
  • Motion Graphics, 5%
  • AAA, 3%
  • Graphic Design, 3%

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