What are the best animation software programs? Here you’ll see a list of the most popular animation software and a comparison of which ones are the best. So, if you’re looking for an Animation Software program that’s easy to learn and use, choose an item from this Best Animation Software List…
Animation Software can be expensive, especially if you’re on a budget. While the big dogs are great, some of them can cost thousands. So what is the best animation software? We’ve created a list of the best animation software for beginners in 2015. Animatics are essential to cartooning and often make or break an animated scene. It’s always good to have a storyboard before animating your scenes.
Moho Pro
The best animation software for Mac is a powerful rigging tool
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows and MacPrice: $399Best for: Mid-level, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Powerful rigging system+Content library
REASONS TO AVOID
-Confusing UI-Steep learning curve
This award-winning animation software for Mac has everything you need to create professional 2D animations. With its powerful rigging system, you’ll have your characters jumping off the screen in no time. Use Smart Bones for better facial expressions and body turns – and in Moho 13.5, you can use the new intuitive V-bones system to help with foreshortening and complex actions.
Moho has been used to create plenty of Oscar nominated films, like The Breadwinner, Song of the Sea, Secret of the Kells, and Wolfwalkers, and is one of the industry standards for professional 2D animation.
CelAction2D
The best professional animation software for Windows
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: WindowsPrice: From $71/monthBest for: Beginners, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Supports large teams+Vector and raster support
REASONS TO AVOID
-No cross-platform support
With four Editions of CelAction2D – Studio, Professional, Animator, and Educational – this 2D animation software for Windows has something for everyone. The Studio edition is an excellent choice if you’re working with a large team, producing feature films, animating television series, or creating animated shorts. This edition also includes upgrades and support and is the first to receive new features.
If you’re working alone or with a smaller team, the Professional edition might be the way to go. But if you don’t need all of the rigging tools, there’s always the Animator editor; however, you won’t be able to build assets – for that, you’ll need the Studio edition.
The Educational edition is identical to the Professional edition but only recognised educational institutions can purchase this edition. You also can’t use this edition for commercial productions.
Cartoon Animator 4 (formerly CrazyTalk Animator 3)
Professional 2D creativity and animation design
Cartoon Animator 4 is software for all levels of users – suitable for beginners as well as professionals who want to create engaging high-quality animations.
The software allows you to create custom 2D characters, choose characters from the huge database, and import PSD character templates. You can easily make any static image move by applying different motion templates provided in the library, even 3D motions.
The software also comes with a bone rigging tool, supports audio lip-syncing, facial detection, and many more simple and advanced features, depending on the edition you are using. Pretty much, Cartoon Animator 4 allows you to have full control over your 2D characters and create a professional animation.
Features:
- 4K video support;
- library of pre-made character templates and motion templates;
- tools for creating 2D characters including rigging and bone tools;
- tools for animating characters including elastic and bouncy curve editing, facial free form deformation, audio lip-syncing;
- tools for creating talking heads and employing them on any character;
- easy to import PSD files as character templates, and export to PSD for graphic editing;
- live facial motion capture – from any angle;
- head driven body movements;
- up to 360 degrees head turning;
- supports many popular image and video formats;
- plus many more advanced animation features.
Pricing:
- Pro Edition – $99
- Pipeline Edition – $199
- Special bundle discounts
- Free trial – 30 days
Stop Motion Studio
Stop-motion animation software for beginners
An app perfect for beginners in video making. Stop Motion Studio will help you create amazing 4K stop-motion animations that can easily be mixed with 2D style drawings painted directly onto the image.
With the frame-by-frame editor enriched with super handy features, you have a powerful and affordable app for your device. Stop Motion Studio can be installed on iPhone, iPad, macOS, Android, and Windows, and you can easily open the same project on different devices.
Features:
- 4K ultra HD videos;
- runs on iPhone, iPad, macOS, Android, and Windows;
- manual or automatic control of the focus, exposure, ISO, white balance
- DSLR camera support;
- green screen option and background library;
- import of images, audio, video files;
- frame-by-frame view and easy editing;
- grid and onion skinning options;
- connect a remote camera as a second device;
- paint tools, sound effects, magic eraser, and more handy tools.
Pricing:
- for iOS – $4.99
- for Mac – $9.99
- for Android – $4.99
- for Windows – $1.99
Toon Boom Harmony
Use on: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Best for: Everyone, beginner to pro
Toon Boom Harmony is an industry-leading 2D animation software. You can use it for frame-by-frame animation or rig animation. In fact, if you’re used to hand-drawing your animations, this software offers unique and robust tools for scanning and cleaning up your drawings.
While this software is appropriate for beginners, it’s not limited to those just starting out. Major studios have used Toon Boom Harmony to create shows such as “Rick and Morty,” “Family Guy,” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Animators can choose between three different levels of the software, which each offer different features and price points. The most basic package starts at $25 per month.
Houdini
Use on: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Best for: Experienced to pro
An advanced animation tool, Houdini has been used in several well-known feature films, including “Frozen” and “Zootopia.” Houdini offers what’s called a procedural workflow, which generates animation in real time. This is used to simulate things like smoke, fire, water, hair, fur, and clothing. Ultimately, this allows animators to create dynamic and realistic effects.
Another unique feature of Houdini is its nodes-based workflow. Every action is stored in a node, which can be rearranged and adjusted to refine the final product. This provides flexibility and cost-effectiveness that isn’t always possible with other types of software.
Even with these advanced features, Houdini is intuitive and easy to use, making it one of the most powerful and robust animation software options available.
The more advanced versions of Houdini are available to purchase; however, students and hobbyists can access a pared-down version of Houdini to use for non-commercial projects for free.
Conclusion
Our list of available animation software will help you find the best one according to your requirements.