Game developers are always searching for software to help them create the best graphics and animation in the shortest amount of time. If you are developing a game or looking to improve graphics and animation skills, look no further than these top 2d animation software products that we have hand picked for you based on user ratings and their scores on the most popular review websites such as Amazon, Youtube and more.
Animate your video games or applications with industry’s best 2D animation software. Make a better video game or app with 3D models, skinning tools and lip syncing using this specific 2D animation software for creating animations, cut scenes, cinematics, character development and more.
Synfig
First up we have Synfig, a program first released for free in 2005. This software is great because beginners can just hit the ground running.
It allows for both front-end and back-end design, meaning that you can design the actual content at the appearance level, not being constrained to just code behind the scenes.
TubiTube
TupiTube is a software project focusing on the younger children’s market of animation. This is a much more casual program for animation. But sometimes, the more casual the better I say. It has great ease of access, with users being able to download it easily and get started making some videos.
Its versatility is great as well, as it can be seamlessly used between different platforms.
Its casualness may rub some more serious-minded animators the wrong way, and that’s why I’m lowering its score a bit. But if you have no idea what you’re doing at all, this software can’t steer you wrong.
Pencil2D
This free program uses a great little design where it gets rid of all the complicated mumbo jumbo that might intimidate animation amateurs. Its simple design is simple yet serves a great purpose.
It’s a no-frills kind of experience, but one where even the most newbie animator can draw and create videos. Pencil2D also has a great cross-platform capability.
Opentoonz
Opentoonz has a range of cool in-house effects that can be seamlessly used while making your animations. Opentoonz allows for extensive editing of the code, too. So, once you get good enough at animation, you can bend the toons to your whim! However, that could be difficult for some users.
PowToon
This is entirely a web-based animation program. It’s a nifty, free little browser gem. It allows you to move scenery around, props, move your characters.
It’s primarily used by businesses to spice up their boring old meetings. But good on them for moving in the right direction!
Animate CC
Animate CC is a tool that helps you to design interactive bitmap and vector animations for games, apps, and the web. You can add action to infographics and tutorials.
Features:
- You can create new poses for vector images or figure.
- It enables you to arrange your layers in a parent-child hierarchy.
- It automatically matches mouth poses to voice inflections.
- You can export 360 VR animations.
- This tool allows you to create ads directly with Animate.
- Export images with the right resolution by bypassing the image optimization and using image settings.
SketchBook
SketchBook is a 2D animation application that enables you to animate your ideas with minimal effort. It offers more than 140 brushes to design your art. This program allows you to add unlimited layers that can be blend together.
Features:
- Enables you to draw basic shapes like circle, rectangle, triangle, etc.
- You can adjust the rules as per your desire.
- Allows you to fill color into your artwork.
- It enables you to import or export the layer as PSD (Photoshop Document).
Animaker
Animaker is an online 2D animation tool that provides numerous animated characters, icons, properties, BGs, maps, and charts. It is one of the best 2D animation software that helps you to create an ideal video for your organization, presentation, freelancing projects, as well as personal projects.
Features:
- You can create animated videos in 6 unique video styles like 2D, handcraft, whiteboard, infographics, 2.5 D, and typography.
- Beginners can make videos and use them as both animation and animated presentations.
- It is one of the best free 2D animation software that has 200 sound effects to choose.
- This tool provides 100 background music tracks.
- It enables you to record direct voice recordings.
- Animaker allows the team to collaborate.
- You can export video in full HD quality.
Adobe Animate.
Adobe Animate is a vector and 2d animation software that’s designed for web and mobile app development.
You can animate vector graphics, create interactive content, add effects, and more. This software also has built-in templates that you can customize to your liking.
Best for:
Adobe Animate is designed for people who want to either animate vector graphics, create interactive content, add effects, and more. This software also has built-in templates that can be customized to your liking. Adobe Animate is best for people who want to create animations or interactive web pages.
Advanced Features:
- Use Adobe Animate to animate vector graphics.
- Create interactive content with Adobe Animate’s features.
- Create content with simple drag-and-drop actions.
- Add effects to your animations with Adobe Animate’s built-in templates, such as the color and tone effects, the temporal effect for video, and more.
Pros:
- Extensive support for animation of vector graphics
- Built-in templates for simple customizations and interactive content
- Color and tone effects, temporal effect on video, and more.
Pricing:
Here is a simple breakdown of Adobe Animate’s pricing:
Adobe Animate costs $20.99 per month for the personal version.
If you want to get access to all of Adobe’s products you can pay $79.99 per month and get access to all of their tools.
Either way Adobe Animate offers a free trial that you can try 100% risk-free.
Conclusion
Game Development is amazing and fun. When you create a game, it can be amazing to see the characters you designed and developed to run, jump and fight. However, to make a game, you need to know the software for 3d animating. The software here will help you get started with 2d animation!