Blender is predominately a 3D animation suite. It contains some of the easiest to use animation tools available. These in turn enable the 3D artist to produce accurate movement in their mesh objects via a consummate set of armatures. The movements can be choreographed in action sheets just like the master animators have used for years in traditional animation.
However, we are not limited by only being able to manipulate mesh models in an animation. Blender offers some unique facilities to manipulate textures and materials over time. In fact, we will see that it is possible to animate a whole series of material properties that can produce apparent movement with none of the overheads of complex model manipulation. Combine these with the other mesh deformation tools and you will be able to produce some stunning animations.
You may wonder why we need to worry about changing textures when applied to an expertly animated model. Well, take a look at the back of one of your hands. You...