Here is a common step-by-step workflow:
Step 1: Craft the Story and Script
Outline: Start with a rough outline of your story idea.
Refine Script: Use a free AI text generator (like ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to polish your outline into a detailed script.
Breakdown: Divide your script into a series of scenes (e.g., 10-30 scenes). This is crucial for the next steps.
Step 2: Generate Visuals and Characters
Image Prompts: For each scene, use the AI text generator again to create highly detailed, consistent image prompts. Specify a 3D animation style (e.g., "Pixar style 3D render," "low-poly 3D animation") and ensure consistent descriptions of your characters to maintain their look across scenes.
Generate Images: Use a free AI image generator (like Leonardo AI, which has a free tier) to create still 3D images for each scene using your detailed prompts. Save the generated images.
Step 3: Animate the Images
Image-to-Video: Use an AI image-to-video generator (such as a free version of a tool like Kling AI or Luma AI's Dream Machine) to take your still images and add slight motion, transforming them into short video clips or scenes. Some 3D animation platforms, like Krikey AI or DeepMotion's Animate 3D, also offer free-tier tools for text-to-animation or motion capture (from a video) to quickly animate 3D characters.
Step 4: Create a Voiceover
Text-to-Speech (TTS): Use a free AI text-to-speech tool (like ElevenLabs' free tier) to generate professional voiceovers for your script. Choose a voice that fits your character or story's tone.
Step 5: Final Editing
Assemble: Import all your video clips, voiceovers, and any music/sound effects into a free video editor (like CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, or a browser-based one like Clipchamp).
Sync and Refine:
Arrange the clips in the correct story order.
Sync the voiceovers to the correct scenes.
Add transitions between scenes for a smooth flow.
Include free background music and sound effects (sources like Pixabay or free-to-use libraries are helpful).
Export: Export your final 3D animated story in high quality.