New learning materials, tutorials and streams
Jun 3, 2022
Animation beginner's course on YouTube
Due to the great development progress of the past two years some of our video tutorials are already outdated. Our animation training expert Elena has therefore been working on a Cascadeur course over the past few weeks. The result of her work is a 7-part introductory course in physical correct character animation with Cascadeur. Each individual course unit consists of a video of about 15 to 20 minutes in length. Animation beginners who follow all given instructions should plan around 45 minutes work time per lesson.
Elena's Cascadeur course starts with an introduction to Cascadeur's user interface and goes on to cover topics such as posing, overlaps, working with the center of mass, ballistics and other important knowledge for character animators.
>> Watch the free lessons on our YouTube channel
New tutorials on Cascadeur's physics tools
We have added another chapter to the interactive tutorials on our website: Physics! In 7 interactive lessons you will learn everything you need to know about how to use Cascadeur's various physics tools, and how to make the most of them. In the approx. 2-hour course, our animator Elena will guide you from the simplest basics of physics-based animation to complex topics like motion compensation and secondary animation.
>> For beginners and pros: Cascadeur's physics tools tutorial
Node Editor stream for animation experts
Cascadeur's Node Editor was introduced with version 2022.1EA. It is a versatile tool that allows advanced animators to access the inner structure of character rigs and fully customize them. We are aware that such a complex tool requires some training even for experienced users.
For this reason, our CTO Alexander Grishanin streamed and recorded a detailed introduction to the structure and operation of the Node Editor. Both episodes of his two-part presentation can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
>> Node Editor Introduction Stream (Part 1)
>> Node Editor Introduction Stream (Part 2)
How to animate Daz characters with Cascadeur
Many animators use the free 3D software Daz Studio to create character models, which they then import into Cascadeur and animate them in a physically-correct way. In the past, importing Daz Studio characters into Cascadeur wasn't always easy and intuitive. But with the release of our latest version 2022.1EA we were able to eliminate these difficulties: Most of the reported compatibility issues in Cascadeur's FBX support have been fixed, and FBX import of DAZ Studio characters is now fully supported in Cascadeur. A great video tutorial recently released by the Daz 3D blog team explains how easy it is to integrate both programs into your animation workflow.
>> Watch the tutorials for Daz&Cascadeur users
Enjoy animating!
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Best Shots: How to Use References for Better Action Animation (Part 2)
What can live-action fight scenes teach us about animation? In this follow-up to Part 1, Team Cascadeur's technical wriiter Fjodor explores how references from martial arts films can be used as a foundation for impactful 3D animation. From frame-by-frame analysis to working with centers of mass, this article shows how to go beyond copying and turn reference into real animation craft.
Indie Game Spotlight: Deformed
In Deformed, solo developer Deformed Studios throws players into a tense horror shooter full of biotech experiments and long-range combat. What began as a simple idea - put a monster in a game - grew into a dark, action-packed experience. Cascadeur made it possible to build complex cutscenes, gameplay animations, and even ragdoll moments. From blocking out poses to polishing final shots, it streamlined key steps in a solo dev pipeline.
Indie Game Spotlight: Eclipse Breaker
In our latest Indie Spotlight, Jorge Rodriguez, founder of Lunar Workshop Games, shares the journey behind his action-packed retro roguelike Eclipse Breaker. As a former developer of major titles like Call of Duty and Double Action Boogaloo, Jorge explains how Cascadeur helped him bring complex animations to life despite not having formal training. With Auto-Rigging and AutoPhysics, he was able to create unique characters like a spiraling water dragon and flying bosses. An inspiring story about creative freedom, technical solutions, and the power of the right tools.
Cascadeur 2025.1 introduces AI Inbetweening
With Cascadeur 2025.1 we are introducing a powerful new AI tool today that automatically generates smooth, natural animation between two poses - making your animation workflow faster and more intuitive than ever. With this new Inbetweening feature, seamless transitions are now just a click away!
Indie Spotlight: Crowned in Steel
Marko and Dusan Fajler, the duo behind indie studio Sverun Games, set out to build Crowned in Steel - a brutal action-adventure with its own unique identity. In our latest Indie Spotlight, they share how Cascadeur helped them create over 270 custom animations without prior animation experience, bringing their fluid, combo-based combat system to life with precision and control.
Indie Spotlight: Freerun AR
Our latest Indie Game Spotlight features Freerun AR, a parkour game that uses procedurally generated animations - drawing inspiration from Cascadeur’s physics engine. Developer Wray Burgess has been a longtime fan of our software and has incorporated some of its core principles into his own animation approach. While Cascadeur wasn’t directly used for Freerun AR, its influence can be seen in the game's character movement and animation systems. Learn more about Wray’s journey, his passion for action sports games, and how Cascadeur shaped his perspective on animation!
Indie Spotlight: Ninja Resurrection
From zero to the hardest fighting game: Indie developer Daniil Lyubimov, the solo creator behind Wize Studios, set out to build a fighting game from scratch - without any prior experience in animation or game development. The result? Ninja Resurrection: A Tale of Kuro - now available on Steam. In his blog article, he shares how he brought his vision to life, the challenges he faced, and how Cascadeur became an essential tool in his creative process. With over 800 animations created in Cascadeur, he was able to bring dynamic, high-quality movement to his game in record time.
Best Shots: How to Use References for Better Action Animation (Part 1)
Animation gives us full control over movement, timing, and expression - but making motion look natural and dynamic is no easy task. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using references.
In this three-part series, we’ll explore how to find and use references for action animation. Part 1 focuses on live-action scenes: what makes them useful, where their limitations lie, and how we can adapt them to create better animations.
Indie Game Spotlight: Mutation
Meet Manuel, the creative force behind Mutation, a sci-fi Lovecraftian dungeon crawler that combines roguelite, survival, and RPG elements. Developed as a solo project, Mutation challenges players to escape a dangerous, procedurally generated structure while facing ever-evolving threats. Cascadeur helped Manuel cut his animation time in half, enabling him to craft lifelike creatures and intricate gameplay. Now available on Steam Early Access, Mutation has already earned praise from critics and horror gaming enthusiasts alike.