Adobe is most popular for its image-editing software, Photoshop. But did you know that Adobe makes software for 2d animation? If you’re looking to get into CGI with cartoon animation, look no further. I’ll show you the best 2d animation software from Adobe in this post.
With all these 3D animation tools around, if you want to create 2D animation, you might be wondering if there’s anything else than Adobe Flash out there. After all, 3D animation software can be pretty pricey and doesn’t always offer the traditional “flipbook” type of look. So why not try something like Adobe Animate CC (formerly known as Adobe Flash Professional), which is a free and powerful tool that allows you to create stunning 2D animations for the web and mobile devices.
OpenToonz.
Initially released in 2016, OpenToonz is a free animation software program. Since it is an open-source software tool, any developer can edit and modify its code to make it better and customize it to suit their needs.
Its main aim is to link academic research and animation to facilitate ideas and research.
Best for:
OpenToonz is perfect for developers and animation artists who are looking for a high level of customizability. It is also suitable for small and medium businesses and creating education tutorials.
Key Features:
- Offers GTS scanning tool that you can use for sequence scanning (only available for Windows)
- Compatible with TWAIN (and an animation program interface)
- Comes with an impressive variety of animation effects, including changing picture styles, affected incident light, and more
- Offers a wide range of keyboard shortcuts so that you don’t have to use the mouse all the time
- It is compatible with four types of scanning (black and white, colored and with or without binarization)
- Creates efficient and seamless cutout animation
- Offers FX schematic feature
- It can develop wavy distortions and change picture styles
- Offers in-built particles effect feature (create rain, snow, sparkles, smoke, and much more)
Pros:
- Supported on a large number of platforms like Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Open-source software (can be edited at the source for high customizability)
- Free for use
- Trustworthy and endorsed by major animation studios (Studio Ghibli)
- Comes with starting manual for first-time users (comes in English and Japanese)
- User-friendly, intuitive interface
Cons:
- Needs an enormous RAM size to work seamlessly (otherwise, it may crash)
- New frame animation and frame creation requires drawing (it is not an automatic feature)
- Provides only 2d animation but provides onion skinning
Pricing:
OpenToonz is a free animation tool. It can be accessed online and can be used for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
KeyShot.
KeyShot is a stand-alone, ray tracing, and global illumination animation program. It is specifically used to create high-quality 2D and 3D animations. With KeyShot, you don’t even need to place an additional graphics card in your PC.
Furthermore, it supports more than 30 file types for rendering 3D animation and is laced with attributes, including interactive labeling, texture mapping, and physical lighting.
Best for:
This software is especially useful for concept modeling, where the benefits of 3D are needed. You can also use it for jewelry designing, toy designing, and automobile designing.
Key Features:
- Provides real-time 3D image rendering workflow
- Native support for over 30 3D-file formats
- Includes more than 750 preset materials to help you differently style your videos
- Core strength lies in its speed and flexibility
- Animation and VR available
- HDRI lighting enables you to adjust and light your scene as per your requirement
- KeyShot XR allows us to create interactive, touch-enabled visuals for mobile and web
- Real-time ray tracing (progressive global illumination with dynamic lightning)
- Can provide still image animations, interactive web content, and mobile content
- Scattering media feature (adds particle scattering)
Pros:
- Unrivaled detailing, accuracy, and realism in visualization
- Compatible with both Windows and Mac
- User-friendly, intuitive interface (for those with experience)
- Imports and exports a variety of model formats
Cons:
- Comes with a hefty price tag
- 3D animation can be difficult to grasp for a novice
- Framing, sizing, and re-sizing the window might get difficult at times
Pricing:
KeyShot offers three pricing plans:
Pencil2D Animation
This free software is ideal for 2D hand-drawn animations
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, Mac, LinuxPrice: FreeBest for: Beginners and hobbyistsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Simple user interface+Supports raster and vector
REASONS TO AVOID
-Limited tools-No 3D support
If you’re looking for a lightweight animation solution that’s not only open-source and free but also easy to learn, then Pencil2D Animation is an excellent place to start. With its minimal UI design, you can focus on what’s essential: animation.
This cross-platform tool is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD. With support for raster and vector graphics, this beginner-friendly software is free and open source, and is an excellent choice for hobbyists.
Blender
If you are looking for an open-source 3D animation software, look no further, Blender is here for you. It is the most popular free animation tool used to create 3D animations. Blender is developed by many contributors all over the world according to the needs of users. Therefore, the software is well-equipped with massive effects and features for newbies and professionals to make stunning animations. In addition, it’s among the few 3D animation tools that can create 2D animations. Besides, the software is used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, virtual reality, and computer games.
Image by Blender.org
Main Features of Blender
- Have a great collection of tools for both modeling and sculpting.
- Full animation support with Onion Skinning and layers.
- Grease pencil allows you to draw in 3D space, make traditional 2D animations, cut-out animations, as well as motion graphics.
- Built-in video editor allows you to perform basic actions as well as more complex tasks.
Synfig Studio – Mac Software to Animate Video
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: You can create many layers once a time and sync audio for your animation.
Con: This one needs much time to learn, especially for beginners.
An open-source 2D animation software that works on Macs, Synfig Studio delivers multiple players while you are creating content. Whether you want to add geometric, filters, distortions, or transformations, it is all possible! And thanks to the high-end bone system, you can create cut out videos using bitmap images!
The thoughtful part is there are two download versions on the homepage: stable version and development version. If you want to enjoy a stable and smooth animation editing experience, choose the stable one. However, the development package gives you access to the use of the latest features.
For a novice, you can learn Synfig from step by step guide in Wikipedia and video tutorials. Four languages are available including English, Russian, Dutch, and French for a video course.
You can free download its latest version 1.3.11. The upcoming version is 1.4.
Features:
- It offers support for many layers within the animation.
- The program’s bone system means that you can easily create animations with bitmap images or vector artwork.
- It allows you to sync your creative work with any sound that you want. Has a full-featured audio editor.
Conclusion
The latest advancement in animation softwares has come in the form of Adobe software. With this software, professionals in this field are able to animate through simple clicks. Also, there is no hassle of carrying around your computer or laptop to work on your animated projects. All you need is Adobe software and a proper internet connection.