2d animation, as an art form, emerged from a need to fill the void of the constant search for entertainment. With the advent of technology and its increasing role in improving our lives, comes a whole lot of artificiality that has robbed us of what we hold priceless – a never-ending quest for a good source of entertainment. But this situation is not altogether hopeless. The popularity of 2D animation has been on the rise not just because it is ideal for beginners but also because professionals have finally found a worthy alternative to computer generated 3D animations.
Animation is a fascinating art form. You can learn how to do animation even if you’re a beginner with just these free animation software. Want to learn about best free animation software for beginners? Or about animation software that is free download? Check out this list of 2d animation software.
Toon Boom Harmony
Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.
Compatibility: Windows, Linux, and OSX
Pro: You can make 2D and 3D animation, both with models.
Con: It may take some time to learn how to make 2D animation for beginners.
Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely.
This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.
You can also check the Toon Boom Harmony Advanced Review from the TopTenReview website for more information.
Features:
- Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology – Brush Engine
- Advanced color palettes and paint options
- 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
- Cut-out animation tools
- Traditional paperless animation.
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.
Price: Free
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.
Price: Free
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).
Animation Studios
Animation studios is an all-in-one videoediting software for making 2D explainer videos in any language. Name thelanguage or niche, and you have it. It is one of the best software with groovyand cool templates with the trending niche. Make the videos from scratch. Ithas in-built assets, props, and characters. Enjoy the experience of makingamazing videos with a professional experience. It helps you in reaching out toa global audience. It has so many languages that you can translate it quickly. Anaverage mobile user spends 4-6 hours a day watching videos, the videos createdwith animation studios help impact the viewers’ minds. With entertaining andcatchy content, you can create your brand, business, and website for free.
WHY CHOOSE ANIMATION STUDIO?
• Takes minutes to create studio-grade videos.
• It provides you with an unlimited commercial license.
• It is hosted on the Microsoft cloud platform.
Pros:
- This free animation software is super easy to use for beginners as well as for experts.
- In order to create or edit videos, there is no need for any technical skills.
Cons:
- This software has a custom story interface that creates videos from scratch.
Synfig
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Synfig is one of the best free 2D animation software that is compatible with Windows, OSX, and Linux. The best thing about Synfig is that it provides more than 50 layers you can choose from to create simple or professional animation. It does not impose any limitations on you. If you search online, you will find tutorials to get started with using Synfig to create animation.
As a beginner, Synfig studio is the best place for you to start learning 2D animation. Synfig is an open-source application with a stable version and testing version. You can experiment with the testing version before the new features are released in the stable version.
Features of Synfig
1. Allows several layers of content
2. Support using bitmap images through its bone system function
3. Allows adding audio files, voiceovers, or music to the project.
Pros:
- This software is very powerful due to which you can do anything that you imagine for your video.
- In this software, there is a plugin capability that helps you in enhancing your animation videos.
- It is super affordable due to which anyone can easily buy it.
Cons:
- There are few operations that make this software crash due to which you have to continuously save your work.
- It is very heavy software which makes it hard to start.
Opentoonz
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows and OSX
Pro: You can use a plug-in to make beautiful animation effects automatically without further editing.
Con: The UI design is outdated compared with other animation software, but it won’t affect user experience.
Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge, and download it.
And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.
Features:
- GTS scanning tool
- Ability to change picture styles
- Add distortion and light effects
- Compatible with black and white and colored scans
Maefloresta
Price: Free
Compatibility: iPhone and Android
Pro: It is free to use with easy to start introduction, even for kids.
Con: You need to email its staff to get the installer online, which is inconvenient sometimes.
The beauty of the Maefloresta app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 2D animated videos.
There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends. It also offers school solutions for teachers and students.
Features:
- The free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
- Easy animation software with tutorials
- Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease
Conclusion:
Learning software is difficult. Finding the right piece of software can be so great it borders on euphoria, but if you choose the wrong one, there’s a chance you could find yourself with an almost insurmountable learning curve or nagging technical problems that provide little or no satisfaction. It’s important that you choose the 2D animation software that’s right for you, whether it’s for beginner software, professional software, free animation programs, open source animation tools or even good graphics editing programs.