What is the best combination of animation software to learn for?

Question

One of my friends told me to go for Maya, photoshop and after effects. Does any one know any other combination?

Answer 1

It depends on what kind of  animation you want to do, really. If you want to do CG animation Autodesk's Maya is a must as it has become an industry standard. Photoshop is also the standard for digital image editing, and After Effects is the photoshop of video editing. Adobe After Effects is used for motion graphics, video compositing, complicated title graphics, etc. If you want to do 2D animation like cartoons, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Answer 2

the combination that u have is good for a broadcast company or a company that makes animation films promos for tv etc......and photoshop is the best for print media, web and broadcast media....there can also be a combination like what im doin as a web designer....Flash and photoshop or flash and illustrator along with dreamweaver

Answer 3

That is a pretty good combination.  Maya and Photoshop are arguably the top of their respective industries.  

For compositing (you mentioned After Effects), you could also check out Discreet.

However, your question feels a little vague.  If you are looking to getting a job in the industry, you might want to specialize.  For instance, do you want to animate? model?  do effects?  do character designs?  Storyboard?  All of these have their own special skill-set -- and, unless you are applying for a small studio, they are all different positions (for instance, if you were applying for an animation position, the person who is hiring won't care how well you can render your scene or model characters).



With that said, I probably would focus less on the software and more on developing your skills.