Here, I’m going to cover some of the best software for animation video . Were you aware that there is a plethora of free or cheap software that can produce professional 3d animation video ? If not, don’t worry because I’ve got your back!
Sometimes it’s hard to find what you’re looking for. I found myself in the same boat when I started learning about the best free video animation software available online. There are plenty of great products out there, but I wanted something that was perfect for my needs. Without further ado, here are the most up-to-date resources covering this topic.
GoAnimate
“Make your first video in less than 5 minutes”. Obviously, ease of use is the biggest advantage of this animated video software. As listed on the site, the eLearning industry is definitely a field where such a tool could find good use.
- Lip-Syncing And Voice-Over Narration
The only thing the user has to do is provide the words. The platform syncs the words with the character’s voice automatically. If you add a voice track to the background then the platform automatically assigns it as voice-over narration. - Industry And Occupation-Specific Templates
GoAnimate comes packed with animation templates for an array of different industries and occupations. Great feature for creating animation videos that learners of each industry can relate with. - Character Customization
Character customization features in GoAnimate are quite extensive, with the user being able to choose all aspects of a person’s appearance.
Plans And Pricing
- 3 Premium Options Available
The basic “Go Publish” package runs at $39 per month or $299 per year and includes great features such as 720p videos and unlimited video production. The “Go Premium” package runs at $79 per month or $599 per year with 70 premium music tracks and a live chat feature. The “Go Team” package asks for a monthly $159 or $999 per year and offers 1080p videos 100+ premium music tracks and the ability to import fonts.
Moovly
We put our own platform at the top of the pile for a reason. Before we tell you why Moovly is number one, here is some background information about our animation platform.
Moovly is an online video animation maker which is entirely cloud-based. No need to download and install any software. All that is required is a working web browser and an internet connection, and you can get started creating animations in no time.
Now that you have the basics, what makes Moovly our top pick?
For starters, with Moovly you are not limited to one or a few specific styles. You can create videos in doodle or cartoon styles, but you can also choose any other style you prefer, even your company, organization or school style!
Moovly has unique media libraries with over 1 million media assets you can use, including stock videos, motion graphics, music, sound effects, photos and illustrations, all royalty free and free for you to include in your videos!
Unlike most of the other top video animation makers that feature on this blog, Moovly offers a full-featured Free version. Sign up for free and immediately start working on your animated video, it’s that easy!
CrazyTalk
This is one of the most entertaining animated video software mainly focusing on facial animation for both Windows and Mac. Lots of great features including a 3D head creation tool.
- 3D Character Pipeline
Easy creation of 3D avatars as well as full body animations. - Talking Avatars
Import your photo and CrazyTalk will give voice to it. 2D or 3D avatars made from your personal pictures with 3D face fitting technology. - Appearance Customization
CrazyTalk allows users to fully modify physical features, clothing and hairstyle. - Auto Motion And Auto Lip-Sync
The platform adjusts the avatar’s head movements and facial expressions to suit the voice tone of the audio file the user provided. Mouth and lip movements are also synchronized with the voice.
Plans And Pricing
- 3 Premium Options Available
The Standard edition can be purchased at $39. The Pro package costs $99 and the Pipeline package costs $149. User’s choice depends on what type of features are needed.
PowToon
Next up on our list is PowToon. Similar to Moovly, PowToon offers different licenses, including a limited Free License, a Pro and a Business license. Powtoon’s styles are rather limited and – as the name suggests – primarily cartoon based. One of PowToon’s features that distinguish itself from the other video animation makers on our list, is the option to choose between Presentation mode and Animation mode. If you are already familiar with Powtoon, but looking for an alternative, don’t worry, we have you covered.
iClone
If you want quality animated video software that’s been used by highly acclaimed organizations and companies such as the FBI, Ford and Microsoft then you’ve found your solution.
- 3D Characters
Lip-synced and fully customizable 3D characters with facial animation as well as soft cloth physics simulation and motion key editing. - Environment Creation
Whether we are talking about interior designs or landscapes iClone comes packed with ready-made templates for quick design. - Advanced Lighting And Shadowing Effects
HDR, IBL and AO features along with many other tools help you create life-like atmospheres for all your animated video needs. - Open Architecture
iClone 7 APIs, Motion Curve Graph Editor, Python Scripting and a Custom Shader constitute some unique features of iClone.
Plans And Pricing
- 6 Premium Options Available
Standard premium package starts from $199 with 6 additional plans available offering different features.
Vyond
Third, on our list, we have Vyond (formerly called GoAnimate). Just Like PowToon and Moovly, Vyond is an entirely cloud-based platform, committed to creating cartoons. One of Vyond stand out features is the ability to add lip-sync to your chosen characters by adding a voice recording or importing an audio file. Vyond does not have a free license, but rather a 14-day premium trial for you to try out their platform.
Toon Boom Harmony
This animated video software focuses on providing the tools for compelling storytelling in eLearning. Well-known companies like Universal, Fox and Dreamworks can verify that as dedicated clients.
- 2D And 3D Designs
Harmony gives you the chance to craft unique hybrid animations that include both 2D and 3D designs. - Various Sketching And Drawing Functions
Not only does Harmony come with animation templates, but it also gives the user the chance to enhance creations by use of traditional painting tools. - Production And Implementation Support
As a company with well-known clients, Toon Boom offers expert guidance through all stages of product training, transitioning from another video animation software or even certification preparation for proper use of Harmony.
Plans And Pricing
- 3 Premium Options Available
Essentials package costs $16 per month or $192 per year and includes a user interface in 4 languages including Chinese and Japanese. Advanced package runs for $41 per month or a yearly subscription of $492 with animation accelerator features such as morphing and advanced onion-skinning. The top package is called Premium and will cost you $78 per month or $936 per year. It includes an artist-friendly toolset with unique curve deformers as well as 3D camera rotation. If you opt for annual billing you will get a 33% discount.
Wideo
Wideo is a user-friendly content creation platforms on the market today, although with limited styles available. Wideo is a versatile video animation platform that also allows you to create presentations. With Wideo, you have access to a range of pre-animated templates, all of which are gracefully designed. The only downside however is that you can only create free animations of up to 30 seconds long. Anything longer will require you to upgrade to a paid license.
Conclusion:
It takes a lot of effort to create stunning animation videos – not to mention the countless hours working on them using video animation software, only to be met with complaints that “the image looks kind of pixelated”. Animation is a form of art that uses a variety of film techniques and props to create special effects or drawings. Typically, it involves producing a series of images, called frames. The process is known as frame by frame animation. In order to create the illusion of movement, each frame is slightly different from the last one.