How does 3D animation work?

[Vay]

If i want to do a 3D animation with realistic people and very detailed settings, What would i use to achieve it?

Is it possible to animate realistically without the use of those dots that you put on body to capture motion that Image Metrics does.
(Actually i think you can do that because i saw an animation of a graphite sketched person, but i forgot what it is. I saw it on the family guy episode ( and somewhere else) where Chris reaches for a milk and a hand comes out and grabs Chris into a sketched out world with this sketched out guy running around. But i want to make that 3D)

Is there a good software for 3D animation?

[Zazerzs]

any 3d program that you can do animation with and an animator.

animation is only as good as the animator creating it,it can be realistic or not.

the dots thing is called motion capture and while it gives you motion it typically needs heavy clean up.

Go with Maya PLE. its free.

goodluck

oh and the scene you are talking about is 2d animated.

[Flake]

If i want to do a 3D animation with realistic people and very detailed settings, What would i use to achieve it?

You have many options as far as software, but unless you have vast experience or a team your goal is ultimately unrealistic.
3D animation is almost the definition of a "team effort".

Typically, you'd have modellers, texture artists, riggers, lighting guys, animators, render monkeys etc. Oh, and at least 10 render boxes.

Seriously, look at the FX credits for anything.

(before anyone brings up "Ghost Warrior", the guy was already a 3d expert and very experienced lead animator..)

Is it possible to animate realistically without the use of those dots that you put on body to capture motion that Image Metrics does.

Yes, Disney managed it for many decades, you'll need a bunch of animators and lots of skill.

(Actually i think you can do that because i saw an animation of a graphite sketched person, but i forgot what it is. I saw it on the family guy episode ( and somewhere else) where Chris reaches for a milk and a hand comes out and grabs Chris into a sketched out world with this sketched out guy running around. But i want to make that 3D)If I remember right, that was a parody of A-Has "Take on Me"'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AXNBR2smPY

That's an old animation technique called rotoscoping where you basically draw each individual frame over live action footage. We can kinda automate that these days. In your example they were likely running filter effects over existing 2D animation.

Is there a good software for 3D animation?

Loads of them. Get the demos, pick the one you hate least.

Be aware that all the pro level ones come with 3000 page manuals.

Go to www.cgtalk.com and read all the stickies.
DO NOT post "which 3D software should I use?" or your thread will be closed in nanoseconds and everyone will automatically dislike you.

Edit: seriously, 3D, while fun and interesting is a VAST subject, that's why the jobs tend to be so specialised, Steven Hawking would likely struggle to get good at all of it..
The interfaces alone of applications like Maya, XSI , LW or Max make PS or Painter look pretty easy.*

*note: interfaces, not skillsets, don't get cranky.