Free 2d animation software for mac is the first tool I like to share because this is what I use. It’s part of an older set of blog posts about how I create gifs, and it may give you ideas about what kind of animation software that might be useful if you want to animate something yourself. It’s a free, opensource tool and the community behind it is large enough to guarantee that it will be maintained and updated as long as needed. It has been used by many to create animations for things from music videos to videogames.
One of my favorite things about 3D animation is how you can create a cinema-quality animation without having to be a professional graphic designer before hand. Some advanced skills in After Effects can get you very far. Now, this doesn’t mean that 2D animation is a simpler thing to execute since it involves a lot of cinematic principles and timing. This also means that you need the right tool for the job. If you’re looking for free 2D animation software for Mac, then this post is for you. In here, I’ll cover the best free 2d animation programs for Mac that will get your animations looking great in no time.
K-3D.
K-3D is another incredible 3D animation and modeling software on this list. Packed with flexible plugins, it is a potent tool for designers and artists. On top of that, it has been described to be intuitive, easy-to-use, and easy-to-learn.
Compatible with both Mac and Windows, it also offers a vast range of additional possibilities as compared to traditional modifier stacks for visualization. It also provides 2D animation for the basic user requirements. It is, however, not a free software tool.
Best for:
It is best suited for professional artists, web designers, and animation specialists. It is also perfect for creating films and documentaries, designing jewelry and toys, and more.
Key Features:
- Very flexible and comes with the power of a node-based visualization pipeline
- Creates multiple combinations of your choice
- Advanced undo/redo system
- Can combine flexible plugins to provide you with numerous solutions (robust, object-oriented plugin architecture)
- Designed to provide motion-picture quality animation from the ground-up (render engines)
- Procedural and parametric workflows
- Modification of start of a workflow propagates to the end (intuitive)
Pros:
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Free software and can be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes
- Can offer users both 2D animation and 3D animation
- Can be useful for low-budget animation artists
- Complex workflows are easy to create, understand, and decipher
Cons:
- Lacks proper tutorials about how to animate and use the product
- Can be difficult for beginners to use without appropriate guidance
Pricing:
It is entirely free of cost and is open to use by any person. All you need is an internet connection.
PowToon.
Founded in 2012, PowToon creates and sells SaaS software to create animations. It is a web-based animation software that offers a wide range of services, specializing in 2D.
From creating educational tutorials to personal interaction – PowToon comes in handy for everything related to animation.
Best for:
PowToon provides lots of templates and royalty-free images. Plus, it is great for professionals who deal extensively with presentations.
Key Features:
- No watermarks
- Downloadable as mp4
- Full HD video (1080 p)
- You have complete control over the privacy of your account
- Directly export to various social media sites like YouTube
- Detailed videos walkthroughs and tutorials available to help you get started
- Multiple character animations and cartoons to choose from
Pros:
- Animations are clever and well-detailed
- 24/7 priority customer support
- Has a free plan but with limited qualities
Cons:
- Can sometimes become slow (while editing)
- No offline editing options
- A bit expensive
- Does not offer 3D animation
Pricing:
PowToon comes with four pricing plans:
- The ‘Starter’ plan costs $79 per month.
- The ‘Pro’ plan is $89 per month.
- The ‘Pro+’ plan costs $197 per month (save 69% on annual billing).
- The ‘agency’ plan is priced at $99 per month and is offered only on an annual subscription.
If paid annually, you can save up to 79% for both “Starter” and “Pro” plans.
It also offers a freemium plan with limited attributes for users with basic requirements.
Blender
An impressive set of free rigging and modelling tools
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, Mac and LinuxPrice: FreeBest for: Beginners, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Full animation solution+Free and open source
REASONS TO AVOID
-Steep learning curve-Confusing UI
No list of the best 3D animation software would be complete if it didn’t include Blender. Blender’s animation toolset features a character animation pose editor, forward/inverse kinematics, and sound synchronisation – all of which make animating your next professional or hobby project that much easier.
What’s nice about Blender is that you can use it for more than simple animation: you can sculpt, model, render, and more. You can even use the Python API for scripting and customisation through app extensions.
Open Toonz
This professional animation tool is free and open source
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows and MacPrice: FreeBest for: Beginners, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Offers plugins and an SDK+Professional level output
REASONS TO AVOID
-Slight learning curve-A little buggy at timesAdvertisement
If you’re looking for a professional animation tool that won’t break your budget, then OpenToonz is the way to go. This free and open-source program, customised by Studio Ghibli and based on the software Toonz (developed by Digital Video S.p.A. in Italy), is a powerhouse. You can use it to create simple animations or professional productions. It’s also an excellent choice for the classroom as it’s powerful (and free) and easy to learn.
Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is an open-source software based on vector. Synfig Studio is known as one of the newest animation tools on the market. Also, it is used to create 2D animations. Moreover, it allows you to control over editing the vector artwork and options to make your puppets. Synfig is used to create animated films or other kinds of videos such as cartoons and marketing initiatives.
Image by Synfig.org
Main Features of Synfig Studio
- Professional interface with a convenient workspace.
- Calculate vector shape to animation automatically.
- It specializes in vector graphics, so you can create both simple and complex animated objects.
- Provide over 50 layers, filters, bones, as well as advanced controls to create artwork and animation of any complexity.
Conclusion
Animation has become one of the most versatile forms of art in recent years. With more ways to combine creativity with innovative techniques, 2D animation has become a powerful tool for filmmakers across the globe. Today, I’ve got some awesome news for you, all on top of the fact that I have found some free software to get you started on your own amazing animated journey.