Easy To Use is a free animation software that makes doing any animation easy. ~ Sometimes the hardest part of learning how to do anything is getting started. Animation is no exception. It’s exciting, but there are so many tools, techniques and acronyms involved (even before you get to the drawing itself) that it can all seem a little overwhelming.
Whether you are a beginner to 3d animation, or an advanced professional, you will find the best animation software easy to use and essential for anyone who wants to create stunning 3D animations.
Procreate
The best animation software for iPad
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: iPadPrice: $9.99Best for: Beginners, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+All-in-one solution+Mobile
REASONS TO AVOID
-No cross-platform support-No vector support
Have you ever wanted to create a lossless 4K video time-lapse of your artwork or have a deceptively powerful animation tool in the palm of your hands? Well, now you can with Procreate for iPad. With Procreate’s Animation Assist, you can sketch out animatics, make looping GIFs, and create beautiful animations without ever having to touch a computer. That’s right, you can do it all with your iPad: sketch, illustrate, and animate your next masterpiece. Used by countless beginners, hobbyists, and professionals, this software is the top pick if you’re looking to create on the go.
Autodesk Maya
Powerful 3D animation software for VFX and character creation
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, Mac and LinuxPrice: $1,700/yearBest for: ProfessionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSAutodesk Maya – 1 YearUS$1,620VISIT SITEat Autodesk
REASONS TO BUY
+Full animation solution+Physics engine and rendering
REASONS TO AVOID
-High yearly cost-Resource heavy
Autodesk Maya is undoubtedly one of the best if you’re a professional animator looking for a powerful 3D animation tool. With Maya, you get it all: modelling, animation, visual effects. As if that wasn’t good enough, Maya has one of the best physics engines and rendering systems on the market.Advertisementhttps://07adfe2694fb810cbf21d2d8d814561a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Maya also ships with a unique feature known as XGen interactive grooming. XGen interactive grooming includes tools like sculpting brushes, modifiers, and sculpting layers. Using these tools, you’ll be able to create many different styles of hair and fur.
Cartoon Animator 4
The best 2D animation software for all content creators
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows and MacPrice: Starts at $79Best for: Beginners, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+3D motion to 2D animation+Works with PSD tools and Wacom
REASONS TO AVOID
-Steep learning curve-No drawing tools
The folks at Reallusion have certainly been busy. Cartoon Animator 4.5 (formerly known as CrazyTalk Animator) is their newest release, and golly if it’s not jammed packed with features. While it may not be an industry standard, Cartoon Animator is powerful enough to create professional animations.
From smart IK motion editing to full-body motion capture, Cartoon Animator has it all and more. For example, with its sprite-based facial system, you can quickly transform a 2D face into a 3D talking head. But that’s not all: Cartoon Animator includes rigging and bone tool so that you can create believable multi-angled 2D characters.
Adobe Animate
Use on: Windows, Mac OS
Best for: Everyone, beginner to pro
If you want to create a traditional cartoon, Adobe Animate is a great 2D animation software option. With this software, you have the ability to animate using a variety of different techniques, including hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation, as well as puppet animation, which allows you to manipulate a character rig without redrawing it. You can even import a character created in Procreate or another illustration tool and animate it within this software.
Many shows have been created using Adobe Animate (previously known as Adobe Flash), such as “My Little Pony.” Adobe Animate is available as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription model, but it can also be purchased individually (unlike some other programs, like Adobe Character Animator).
Adobe Character Animator
Use on: Windows, Mac OS
Best for: Beginners
Adobe Character Animator is perfect for beginners, even those with very little animation experience. That’s because creating and animating a character in this program requires very few animation skills.
Here’s how it works: You choose a character (called a puppet), which can be your own artwork imported from Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, or Adobe Illustrator. Then, the program uses your computer’s microphone and camera to detect your voice and movements and animate the character. Essentially, you use your own performance to animate a character in real time. Whatever you do with your face—including your mouth, eyes, and eyebrows—your character does. Plus, you can add in other movements, like hand gestures.
Ultimately, this allows beginners to create animations quickly and easily. However, it’s best used for animations that are mostly dialogue, as there is limited functionality to create action and physical movement. Interested in seeing an example? Showtime’s “Our Cartoon President” is created with this animation software.
Character Animator is available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud’s “All Apps” plan.
Cinema 4D
Use on: Windows, Mac OS
Best for: Everyone, beginner to pro
Cinema 4D is a 3D animation software that’s ideal for animators at every level, from beginner to pro. Originally developed for Amiga (a computer company that’s no longer in production), the software is now available for Windows and Mac operating systems.
In addition to animating, you can use the software for modeling, lighting, texturing, visual effects, and more. It features an intuitive interface, as well as a customizable layout to fit your needs and preferences. An annual subscription starts at about $60 per month.
Synfig
Synfig is a free, open-source video animation program. It has an impressive set of animation tools, considering its cost. It’s well-designed software that is easy to use for vector images, layers, and short videos. Its interface differs from many programs out there. Once you get used to its quirks, you won’t have any issues using it. There is an active community to help.
However, Synfig is still a work in progress. It’s resource heavy and tends to crash more often than we’d like. Nevertheless, it’s a good way to get your feet wet with animation, especially if you’ve worked with graphic design before. Synfig’s best use is for small projects that don’t require a lot of detail or extensive work. That makes it an excellent choice for small business owners.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Pros:
- Free, open-source
- Online help available
- Plugin support
Cons:
- Resource heavy
- No auto-save feature
Conclusion
This free animation software is designed for beginners and novices who wants to create animated movies, cartoons, music videos, game stories and more. It is best easy to use the software that help you make 3D animation, effects and video special effects.