For beginners, animating an armature 3D model follows four key steps: rig the armature to the model (if not pre-rigged), set keyframes for major poses, refine smooth transitions, and preview/render the animation.
Rigging connects the armature (skeleton) to the model’s mesh—moving bones then controls the model’s shape. Keyframes record critical poses (e.g., arm up/down) on the timeline to define motion structure. Refining uses interpolation or auto-keyframing to smooth jerky movements between keyframes. Previewing checks for glitches (like mesh stretching), and rendering exports the final sequence.
In tools like Blender, start with simple motions (e.g., waving) and focus on 1–2 bones first—this builds basics without overload.