How to Learn Adobe Animate Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning Adobe Animate is no different.This Adobe application is used to produce animation and interactive vector graphics for a variety of media. If you’ve always wanted to learn Adobe Animate, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in a way that works best for you. 

What is Adobe Animate?

Adobe Animate is an Adobe application used to create 2D animation. With it, Animators can produce animation and interactive vector graphics for a variety of media, including television, games, apps, and online video. They can export their work to multiple platforms, including Flash/Adobe AIR, WebGL, and HTML5 Canvas. Animate has been used to create a number of popular cartoons, including My Little Pony and The Amazing World of Gumball. It was previously known as Adobe Flash Professional, a top-rated program in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Animate has numerous tools that allow Animators to create complex and detailed animations. For instance, its virtual camera feature can pan, zoom, and rotate animations. Audio synching lets Animators sync the audio in their animations. Vector brushes make it possible to resize, move, color, and animate brush strokes. Animation apps like Animate give Animators the tools to create things that would be difficult to draw by hand.

Read more about what Adobe Animate is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Adobe Animate?

People have been using animation for more than one hundred and fifty years to entertain and communicate a wide variety of content. Animation can grab an audience’s attention, tell stories, simplify complex content, and communicate ideas quickly. As a result of its versatility and universal appeal, animated content is used in many professions. Early animation featured hand-drawn content. However, today’s Animators use computers and animation applications such as Adobe Animate.

When people think about animation, many think of cartoons, which are indeed one thing many Animators create. Animation is in countless forms of media, and much of it develops from applications like Adobe Animate. Adobe Animate, in particular, is frequently used to generate cartoons and 2D animated television shows. The application can be used to create characters and add effects and audio, and it has developed many well-known shows and movies, including My Little Pony and The Amazing World of Gumball. However, cartoons are only one of the things that Animators create with animation apps. Apps also help to create video games for computers and mobile devices, educational content, and a wide variety of advertising and animated content for the internet.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that Animators typically choose a specific medium to work in, such as television or video gaming. In addition, they often specialize within that medium. For example, some video game designers specialize in creating characters, while others focus on scenery. Animators who specialize in this way are typically part of a larger team, with each team member working on one part of a project.

Live Online Adobe Animate Training

Live online training has become an increasingly popular way to learn Adobe Animate and other animation applications. With this format, students receive live instruction but don’t have to spend time or money commuting to a classroom. Another thing many people like about live online classes is that they can be diverse, with people from different parts of the country or even the world. As a result, students often get varied perspectives on the course material and find different types of networking opportunities.

However, live online training can also have some drawbacks. A classroom is explicitly designed for learning and has a live teacher, so it can be easier for students to focus. In contrast, students learning online can be more likely to get distracted. Another thing that some people don’t like about live online classes is that while they don’t have to commute to a classroom, they still have to log on at a set time to attend the live class, so they don’t have much flexibility.

Students who pursue live online training will find many different course options. Noble Desktop teaches many animation skills, with shorter classes like After Effects in a Day and more comprehensive classes such as a Motion Graphics Certificate. Those who want to learn Adobe Animate specifically can use Noble’s Classes Near Me tool to find live online Adobe Animate classes.

On-Demand Adobe Animate Classes

On-demand training is the most flexible option for students who want to learn Adobe Animate or another animation application. On-demand students can complete their classwork wherever and whenever they want to. This can make managing a busy schedule that includes school, work, and family and friends easier. Students who enroll in on-demand classes can often interact with peers and instructors as with an in-person course. They just use different tools to do so, such as discussion boards and video conferences. Finally, on-demand classes are often cheaper than live ones.

While the flexibility of on-demand classes is attractive to many, it can be problematic for some. Students who learn at home may find getting distracted from lectures or homework easier. Some also find that it takes a lot more self-discipline to learn when they are in charge of their own schedules. For instance, procrastinating and doing something else can be easier than studying.

Many providers offer on-demand classes that teach Adobe Animate and other animation programs. These include Udemy, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning. Noble Desktop is a good place to visit for more information about the various on-demand Adobe Animate classes available.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Students who want to learn more about animation applications like Adobe Animate, but aren’t ready to commit to a paid class, can start by reviewing free introductory online courses and seminars instead. Most free resources don’t teach users everything they need to know about animation apps, but they can be an excellent way to learn some basics. YouTube is a great place to find free animation resources. The site has lots of free tutorials about using Adobe Animate to create various types of animation.

Noble Desktop is another excellent free resource. This website has numerous free seminars on a variety of topics related to animation. For instance, Get Started in Motion Graphics provides an overview of motion graphics and video editing and includes an introduction to animating with Adobe After Effects. Intro to Cinema 4D Lite is another free Noble seminar. It gives students an overview of Cinema 4D Lite, which creates animation through Adobe After Effects.

For students who need help with specific features of Animate, the Adobe website can be helpful. Adobe offers many short, free tutorials that answer common questions about Animate. These include Using Layer Effects in Animate, Design Social Media Content, and Create an Animated Infographic. Adobe’s Animate Support Community, also on the Adobe website, is another place to answer questions about the app. The Support Community is a place for users to share questions and answers about various topics related to Animate.

Read about more free Adobe Animate videos and online tutorials.

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

You can learn a program like Adobe Animate by taking in-person, live, or on-demand classes. Several research studies show that in-person training is the most effective. For instance, in one research study published in 2021, researchers looked at online learning at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. They found that online learning had some negatives compared to in-person classes. Students who took online courses reported that they felt less connected to both their instructors and their peers. Some said they felt like their instructors cared less about them. In addition, grades were lower by half a grade for online students.

Engagement and a feeling of personal connection are common reasons students choose in-person classes. Many like that live classes allow them to receive immediate instructor feedback and informal discussions with fellow students. Talking to other students is integral to the learning process and can lead to valuable networking opportunities. Another benefit of live classes is that students usually learn in computer labs with new equipment and up-to-date software, which can be particularly important when learning a computer application like Adobe Animate. 

Live online training is the next best thing to in-person classes because while learning happens through a screen, it is still live with an instructor and a group of students. This class format can be the best option for some people because it doesn’t require a commute. Live online training can also be beneficial because it removes geographical barriers, allowing students to connect with people worldwide. This can increase networking options and also expose students to more diverse perspectives.

While most people prefer learning live, some end up taking on-demand classes instead. On-demand classes are much more flexible than live classes, allowing students to study whenever they want rather than attending class at a set time every week. On-demand classes are also typically cheaper to enroll in, and students save even more money because they don’t need to commute to a school. However, with pre-recorded content, on-demand classes have the potential to be outdated.

Tips to Succeed When Learning Online

Online learning differs from an in-person experience, and students who learn online rather than in a classroom may encounter some unique challenges. By being aware of these potential challenges, students are more likely to succeed with their online education. Below are some tips on how to be successful with online learning.

Engage with Instructors and Classmates

Learning online sometimes feels like a solitary experience, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Online classes usually have lots of collaboration opportunities, and many encourage it. Students can message teachers for help, and they can communicate with other students through formats like online discussion boards. Some online classes even require students to work on group projects. Engaging with instructors and classmates is an integral part of the learning experience and can lead to valuable networks that exist even after a particular course is over.

Minimize Distractions

An important part of learning successfully online is figuring out how to avoid getting distracted. A classroom is explicitly designed for learning and has limited distractions. In contrast, online study usually takes place at home or in another place that can have many distractions. Students who learn from home often set up a specific study area so they can be away from all of the distractions of their house. Some people play music to tune out background noise. Others find it easier to go to a place like a library or coffee shop to avoid home-related distractions altogether.

For some people, distractions come specifically from their computers or cell phones. For instance, emails or other notifications can pop up and take the focus off the course material, or students can simply find it too tempting to browse apps or websites rather than study. Students with this problem can try turning off their phones or silencing notifications while studying. For computers, some apps can temporarily block competing websites like social media.

Understand Your Personal Learning Style

Everyone learns differently, and one way to get the most out of online learning is for a student to figure out their personal learning style and try to learn in ways that suit that style. For example, some people are most productive in the morning, while others are more focused at night. Certain students learn best by listening to a lecture, while others are more visual learners. Online students can get the most out of their learning sessions by understanding these things about themselves.

Understand the Technical Requirements 

Before enrolling in any class, it’s a good idea for students to make sure that their setup meets all the technical requirements of that course. One thing that all online learning requires is a reliable internet connection. One way to increase a connection's strength is to connect to a router directly rather than using wi-fi. 

In order to learn an animation application, students may also need a computer that meets certain specifications. For example, for Adobe Animate, the minimum requirements for Windows are an Intel Pentium 4 or Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, or Intel Core Duo processor, Windows 10, at least 8 GB of RAM, and a monitor resolution of 1024x900. Mac users need a Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support and a macOS version 10.15, 11.0, or 12 operating system.

Key Insights

• You can learn an animation application like Adobe Animate by taking an online course.
• Live online training offers the benefits of live instruction without the commute.
• On-demand learning requires a high level of motivation, but it also has a lot of flexibility.
• You’ll get more out of an online class if you try to communicate with your instructor and classmates.
• When learning online, you may need to take action to reduce distractions.
• You can get the most out of your online learning sessions by understanding your personal learning style.
• Before enrolling in an online class, ensure you have a reliable internet connection and a computer that meets the technical specifications of the app you are learning.

Learn Animation & Motion Graphics with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

At Noble Desktop, students can learn animation and motion graphics with hands-on classes that fit many schedules and learning styles. Every class is small and interactive and led by expert instructors. In addition, Noble always provides a free retake option. The free retake allows students to retake the same class once within a year without paying for it again. Students can gain additional animation or motion graphics skills using the free retake without investing in another class.

The After Effects Bootcamp is a popular option among students who decide to study animation at Noble Desktop. Students in this bootcamp learn After Effects, a program that professional Animators commonly use, in just 18 hours. Bootcamps like this are popular because they provide quick, intensive training that gives students a good understanding of the subject matter over only a few days. Many pick a bootcamp when they want to add one skill like After Effects to their resume.

However, bootcamps are not the best option for everyone. Some students prefer more in-depth training and opt for a certificate program instead. Certificate programs take longer to complete, but they cover more subject matter. For instance, Nobel’s Motion Graphics Certificate takes two months full-time or four months part-time to finish. During that time, the curriculum covers animation programs, including After Effects, Cinema 4D Lite, and Premiere Pro, and how to use these programs to work on multiple animation projects.