How to Make Animated Youtube Videos

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/cogito07221
Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: nebula.tv/videos/cogito-how-t...
I get a lot of comments on how I make my videos so in this video I will tell you exactly what software I use along with free alternatives and how I learned to use them and I’ll tell you exactly what equipment is use.
This video will be split into 5 sections: Research & Writing, Audio, Illustration, Animation, and Editing & Music. They’re in the order I actually make the videos in.
So how do you make KZbin Documentaries, well let’s find out.
MY PATREON / cogitoedu
Follow our illustrator at / chicodlhistoria
Follow me on twitter
/ cogitoedu
Or Reddit r/cogitoedu
Or Facebook @CogitoYT
MERCHANDISE
cogito-store.creator-spring.com/
Programs and Plugins Used:
Maps: aescripts.com/geolayers/
Limbs Animation: aescripts.com/limber/
Free Limb Animation: rxlaboratory.org/tools/duik/
Convenience:
aescripts.com/tiny-tools/
www.mtmograph.com/products/mo...
Writing
hemingwayapp.com/
Clippings.io
pdf.online/ Xodo Reader
Production:
www.adobe.com/creativecloud.html
Free Audio Editing: www.audacityteam.org/
Free Storyboarding: wonderunit.com/storyboarder/
Free Image Manipulation: www.gimp.org/
Free Motion Graphic Software: www.blackmagicdesign.com/nl/p...
Free Video Editing: www.blackmagicdesign.com/nl/p...
Free Video Editing: kdenlive.org/en/
Hardware:
Microphone: www.shure.com/en-MEA/products...
Audio interface: focusrite.com/en/usb-audio-in...
Drawing Tablet Current: www.wacom.com/en-us/products/...
Drawing Tablet Previous: www.wacom.com/en-us/products/...
Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com/creator
Video/Images provided by Getty Images and Archive.org
Maps provided by maptiler/Geolayers

[@CogitoEdu]

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/cogito07221

[@gamerdude6375]

thanks mate

[@luxvult5202]

Remember stopping watching your videos years ago and then rediscover your channel and be amazed by how your videos improved! You do a lot of work and it shows!

[@bvirald7225]

Bro make what is Christianity

[@coviddatalab7408]

Thanks for this video very useful

[@xavierian6314]

Try using Adobe Character Animation or Adobe Animate.

[@ssj1260]

I have zero intention of doing any of this, but this was absolutely fascinating to watch. Godspeed fellow Ireland person.

[@SRILANKANCHRISTIAN]

nice

[@haydennix8223]

😂😂😂😂 idk why I laughed so hard at this

[@jonescity]

@@haydennix8223 Same it was perfect. LMAO.

[@FreeKillerGhost]

after watching vid, me either. XD

[@aclopolipse]

On behalf of all new and small creators who use animation, thank you! The research bit really hit home for me. It's a rabbit hole that can either suck you in, or give you half a dozen ideas for projects down the line.

[@2bit8bytes]

It's your boy, Cookie Dough! Don't forget to smash that like button!

[@yassinesafraoui]

Going through that heck of a process to create one single video and repeating that over and over rapidly to upload a video every few weeks... Massive respect for you and other content creators who put such tremendous efforts in their videos

[@Taiwo_talks]

This is very interesting and complicated at the same time. Well done mate, this shows how much effort you put into your videos.

[@StefanMilo]

That was so useful, I’m going to be coming back to this video a lot

[@jimpennin9588]

When is your next video?!? 🤣 Keep up the great work. I find myself recommending your channel whenever those topics come up

[@StefanMilo]

@@jimpennin9588 soon, been delayed due to factors out of my control

[@kksal4375]

Wooowwww, I am mind-blown! The amount of time, energy, resources, creativity, detail, etc. you put into this is beyond outstanding!! This is truly an inspiration to me. Subbed. Thank you for sharing and many blessings!!

[@PakBallandSami]

personally as a person who is interested in making videos this is great i like when youtubers talk time tell us how they do there job and even every one has there own way of making video it is still very interesting to see how some one makes there video they can give us interesting advice with other vise have taken long time to learn own our own so thanks for making this love you

[@alexilonopoulos3165]

*their

[@PakBallandSami]

@@alexilonopoulos3165 no

[@Periwinkleaccount]

@@PakBallandSami why? Also, please use punctuation. If you don’t it makes everything you type uncomfortable to read.

[@SRILANKANCHRISTIAN]

[@alexilonopoulos3165]

@@Periwinkleaccount thats an L take too lmao

[@shayneweyker]

Do audio editing starting from the end. Because the last take is almost always the one you want to use. Once you isolate the good take, it's faster to seek through to find the last take of the previous part (because the words are different) than it is to go forward and have to wade through all your takes to find the last/good take when the words are all the same between takes.

[@CogitoEdu]

How have I never though of this 😯 Thank you!

[@StefanMilo]

Wow that's actually genius

[@richiexandersin2864]

Can someone dumb this down for me? Im getting jumbled by the words

[@shayneweyker]

@@richiexandersin2864 An audio recording of voice over typically has the reader read the text until they make an error. Recording continues but the reader then back up to the point before the sentence or paragraph where they made the error and then they begin again. This means the recording will look something like Section 1 first take ... Section 1 last take ... Section 10 first take ... Section 10 last take By listening to the audio at the end of the recording you find Section 10 last take. One you determine that's the take you want to keep, cut that into a separate clip from the rest of the recording. Then remove everything back to the end of section 9 last take listening for the words you know are in section 9. Then keep repeating the process you did for section 10 for each section until you have one clip for each section with the last/best take.

[@aclopolipse]

I started doing this about a year into making videos, and it's been an absolute game changer. Finding "the good takes" was always the most grueling part of the process.

[@PoliticswithPaint]

7:20 Your wife is a genius, that box is such a great solution! I will try to make something similar now :' )

[@securiosityy]

Absolutely mind-boggling how much work goes into your videos. It was fascinating to watch. I'm a researcher and I know I would love the research part but wouldn't want to deal with tall the frustrating software components/apps to create the final result. I have so much respect for your work. Keep up the good work!

[@marykirmo]

Me here thinking the research part and the writing part I want NO part of. I love the story boarding, animation and VO etc.

[@todayilearnedabout]

This is an amazing look into how videos are made. I started a year ago and its taken me so long to work out the process. This will be helpful to take me up a level. Thank you. This would have taken as long as any other video and its was done purely to help others. You are amazing.

[@santiagoamador7587]

This is literal GOLD, i've been looking for a video like this and its perfect. Thank You!

[@kraavok]

Trying to make my first, probably too ambitious, YT videos and I was feeling very lost. This guide is like having a mentor near me to walk me through it all. Thank you immensely!

[@LocdnessMomster]

Comeback when you’ve done it so we can celebrate

[@puneetmishra4726]

I really can't thank you enough for this video man. Just lots of love buddy.

[@abrahamkibret1053]

Bruh, I appreciate your videos a whole lot more now. Also that progress in the end with the moving 3d background was incredible.

[@nithins9640]

I recently started a coding channel and thought of adding a bit of animation and this man made me speechless.. hats off to the video man ✌️

[@techport1357]

I am still trying to navigate highschool at the moment and some of my projects have taken extra long because of balancing school with research, clips, etc. I am happy to know that pre-production is the longest part! As it took me the longest for my first (and only) short educational video, I used to only use google/Wikipedia for my sources and came very empty handed. Thank you so much for this video man! Your content is great and this video has definitely inspired me to not give up on my projects!

[@bhavyajoshi7808]

Your animation and video and researches are just really really really awesome ❤️❤️❤️, and I just really love your soothing voice/accent😍😍

[@mathOgenius]

Man! I was just searching about how to animate my videos nicely, But seeing how much effort you put in your videos is really inspiring, I have not yet put this much effort in my Phd research lol. Thanks for inspiring me !

[@tonychima564]

Hey, I can help u animate ur videos with at affordable cost. Let me know if you are interested

[@aliruane]

Dis man has skillz. I can do all this stuff and appreciate how time consuming all this is. The sheer amount of work going on here is awesome. Well done.

[@mileikapowell3625]

I tried to make a video and it’s a work in process thanks to you

[@bzzuf]

An amazing inspiration for me to start learning animation! been doing premiere for years but never gave after effects a shot, thanks.

[@BeybladeDad]

Realizing how low key amazing these kinds of videos are 😱🥲 I've tried using DaVinci, but it's such an uphill battle. Amazing video showing your process 👏👏

[@Infotokev]

I cannot thank you enough for both mentioning and verbally reinforcing your encouragement to do good research. I will watch further videos based on this alone.

[@hudsonkroening4420]

I have been waiting for a video like this for years. This helps so much, thank you!

[@embrio.]

Wow. Good for you for sharing so much of your process! I've always wondered what it would take for me to be able to create the kind of content I love watching, and you really filled in the blanks for me. I appreciate you.👏

[@embrio.]

Also, a huge takeaway for me is that I don't need to start at my destination. When you mentioned that your animations began as recorded Google Slides presentations, that was such a boost to my confidence! I can start where I am and still create things that are worth sharing. Such an important reminder--thanks again!

[@adityaray4341]

After watching this video , i have a whole new level of respect for you cogito !

[@creativesstudio_19]

This is so helpful, Thankyou so much Cogito

[@italodiscohd]

Dude, you're amazing! I can see how much effort you have put into making this

[@rohitt23]

Hey thanks for this very detailed video, loved it and keep it up. I'm gonna apply this to my works now😁

[@kakashihatake-pe6ed]

Thank you bro, it is very informative. Loving your content

[@sohanyadav1978]

Tons of Respect Bro...🙏 Had no Idea that So much efforts go in making these Videos👀

[@ikhsanradjab]

This is a very well-made video. You've earned yourself a new subscriber

[@jarmandomelgoza2149]

This was by far the best HOW TO I’ve come across. 🔥 ❤ 🔥

[@user-zm9ip1bc9v]

salute for your effort for just a one video! Imagine doing this for years. you are incredible.

[@dirkgoldman1155]

As someone who wants to start in KZbin animation this is the best video I have watched on the creation process.

[@healermusic4734]

Respect for the Research man.

[@Jordieeee304]

This is an incredible video. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@vugar_ibrahimov]

Simply amazing. Very well step-by-step explanation.

[@MultiSciGeek]

I wondered this almost every time I watched any of your videos, and honestly the most mind-blowing thing recently has been the illustration/animation! I assumed you might have used some help (cause it's way better from the older stuff), but pretty impressive to see you handle all the aspects of educational video making! Like wow that's pretty talented, I'm impressed. Even better is your dedication to quality research, without which the videos would essentially be pointless, if not downright dangerous for the misinformation... And while your "academic integrity" is great, it does seem a bit tedious - like ask a professor the same questions and they'll quote it off the back of their head (aka Reddit like you said)... which brings me to my next point - NOT ALL SOURCES ARE EQUAL. Sure use Google Scholar, but then also be aware of the biases of the authors and the limitations of their papers - which is something I feel you should have at least mentioned in your video. Some topics are so obscure, it's almost a sin to take all your sourcing from a single author... All that being said, like you said Wikipedia is pretty good, and all the topics that I personally know about have been pretty spot on... like mostly... some of it were triggeringly wrong, cause I see the ground reality here, where I live. But alas I don't blame you - Eurocentric anthropological studies and hard to access locations, like archeological evidence from decades old warzones or super restrictive countries, are a problem worldwide academia-wise! Really wish we could apply your (and mine!) passion to study all the lesser known topics in the world, which I always see this channel try to cover. And like honestly really well done! I appreciate it. I feel like you should be funded by National Geographic or something. Send a team of researchers to new locations. Awesome job!

[@_Solaris]

I'm a recording/mixing engineer. I already have too much on my plate to go beyond that, but your channel is one of my favs. I appreciate why it takes so long for you between uploads.

[@travist2176]

Thanks for all the great tips

[@user-fq6po7iu3w]

Thank you. Really appreciate this.

[@kentlofgren]

Amazing. You spend a lot of time helping us. Thank you.

[@MultiSciGeek]

6:47 Hahaha way back it was me who complained about the audio quality, and honestly I AM SUPER GRATEFUL you took it seriously! I'm donating to you as soon as I get some cash bruhh

[@CogitoEdu]

Thanks for providing feedback and helping the channel improve :D

[@JMill77]

Your videos have awesome animation, thank you for making this video!

[@snail655]

This guy is fantastic,he does proper research for every video,he deserves more sub

[@Mightydoggo]

This is so so *SO* much more helpful than all those "how to grow on youtube" videos. A real process from a real person that gives you an idea for your own workflow. Thank you!

[@pavelandreev4727]

That's a lot of work to get a video out. Thanks a lot for all this effort, for us, the viewers it is awesome to be able to watch high quality educational videos.

[@aakash.pradhan]

You put a great deal of effort in your videos. That's why they are beyond awesome. 👋👋👋

[@ArnaAlayneMorton]

🤯🤯🤯 blown away! Amazing - thanks for sharing!

[@DanielSRosehill]

Thanks so much for open sourcing the process. Love making these but have a long way to go at script writing and animation!

[@adrianrafaelmagana804]

Thanks for sharing this cogito, this is great

[@WilliamV0414]

Thank you for this content! It was really helpful to understand the animation process

[@frofoodie7763]

Very interesting video. Thanks for all the detailed information. Also great ad transition.

[@light-gz2fx]

Wow! Now i know, it takes a lot to create these masterpieces. ❤️

[@Immigrantlovesamerica]

Yeah. That’s why he takes 2-4 months per video release

[@smrter]

Thank you for sharing, this was amazingly in-depth. I currently pay an animator and illustrator, but u make it look like all is doable for me down the line. Thanks for sharing your process. U got one more Patron for this 👍🏿

[@eightstitches]

You my friend, are golden!!!

[@houseofhistorythepodcast3213]

Incredibly fascinating to watch other people's workflow. You have a great wife and dog, by the way!

[@user-yc1kj9xc2b]

You're probably the best KZbin animation/subject channel. Ngl

[@brainybender]

It's insane! You did a great job! I hope that, at some point, I can do something similar, but right now, it looks so complicated.

[@marenecarstens496]

Design student here! Vectors are basically mathematical equations in the form of shapes and lines (so think of it as a mathematical graph). That's why illustrator is so limited in proper brush choices compared to Photoshop. To create a brush in Photoshop you need to create pixels, in Illustrator you need to make a whole new equation that won't crash your PC

[@ankitaaarya]

Very well put

[@simpilot001]

I know and it’s so interesting. Someone very smart had to be born for our enjoyment

[@RacetasClub]

That's actually a really good explanation to a question I didn't even consider. Thanks :)

[@Smart_Chick_]

FINALLY, SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T SAY "Type your prompt into chat gpt and it'll generate your script"!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!! SUBSCRIBED IMMEDIATELY!!!!❤❤❤

[@convexmathematics]

Hey are you also someone trying to learn animations ?

[@TheUnMedia]

Even though I'm quite good with Geolayers 3 & after effects, still it was fascinating to see the all thing which goes behind one video. You are amazing bro.

[@LynTheWitch]

WoW. WoW. Omg. It sounds like SO MUCH work! Respect!

[@nolancarte6015]

This looks great! Thanks for the information

[@arthmendhe999]

Wow , THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO❤❤❤

[@RykerArt]

This was the best thing that i've seen in months. Thank you sir.

[@StellarOceans]

Thank you, fantastic piece of work

[@d.benjamin1108]

I’m really glad you created this video. It shows me what it takes to make a good animation video. As a beginner, I was overwhelmed and thought I may need to study animation in college. Probably won’t but I was still glad to see this. On to Plan B.

[@BurnerWah]

The red pandas section is very important Completely unbiased

[@SkyParlay]

I enjoyed this very much, thank you for sharing & creating!

[@thatdiygingerguy]

This is gold! You like unveiled all the youtubers secrets 😀 Thank you

[@MrTaleTrap]

Mind Blowing! Extreme Respect for a Creator, Hats OFF Bro !

[@01.110]

Oh my... This is what´ve been looking for!

[@ellicel]

I’m exhausted just viewing the amount of work you put into your work! This is the first video of yours that YT has recommended to me, but I’ve chosen to subscribe based on this alone. I feel I have to support someone who does so much research to ensure he’s providing quality information (instead of using AI to rewrite the Wikipedia page!). 😂

[@ScoffatHistory]

And that is why your videos are so much better animated than mine, you know what you're doing! Appreciate you sharing this. I follow many of the same steps you do outside of the unbelievable commitment you have to the animation part - which frankly bores me and for me is all done in da Vinci resolve. I really do need to do what you have and spend time working on improving my art and animation skills and creating assets...but research is just so much more interesting!

[@samiribrahim7544]

I am lost for words to say Just thank you And that is a great masterpiece to me.

[@drumdover]

This is amazing. Well done!

[@ilovednewyear]

Thanks for the info.

[@4Nooby4]

This is a realy good and thorough video. good job and thank !

[@ferdusenurchaity]

Love your videos

[@vishalsahu3579]

Lots of hard work

[@anishkoirala8532]

I can't stop myself appreciating you👏👏👏👏👏

[@anglerfish61]

I took notes, thank you for the information

[@himanshusingh0]

Amazing videos brother 🙌 Keep going Stay motivated We are with you 🙏🚩

[@jenelaina5665]

Here for this! Yay!

[@FenrirDragonheart]

Pure Awesomeness. Thanks!

[@lucretiadoran5214]

Super useful. TY!

[@John_DaMan]

FINALLLY , I NEEDED A VIDEO LIKE THIS!...THANKS!

[@ChrisRaynorMD]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks!

[@tyrapsandtape]

Thanks, that was useful!

[@JSAbbott]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your process. The Scarlett audio interface is needed because the non-USB mics don't have any power supply so you need an interface for the power supply and you also need it to connect the mic to the computer.

[@Prof_Aurochs]

Thanks!

[@CogitoEdu]

No, thank you 😀 I hope this was useful to you!

[@anakinskywalker2306]

Thank you bro

[@ariohandoyo5973]

I subscribed to your channel because of lovely animation in your videos the very best animation editing like no Animation editing ever was.😍

[@english.with.shooka]

it was so useful for me thank you

[@kuroazrem5376]

I wanted to do a video like yours for my thesis presentation. The person helping me said it was impossible...Now I know why.