Free Animation Software for Beginners Download. According to Hubspot.com, people spend an average of 2 hours on the internet every day. The same source says that there are around 460 million people using the world wide web to shop online daily. It’s no surprise that online shopping has become second nature to most consumers. Businesses are capitalizing on this trend by providing customers with sites that are user-friendly and engaging, increasing sales conversion rates in the process.
Are you an aspiring animator? Do you know about any great animation software for beginners? If not, then below is the best collection of free animation software for beginners available over the Internet.
Houdini Apprentice
- SoftwareHoudini Apprentice
- ApplicationMotion Capture, Keyframe Animation
- OSWindows, macOS, Linux
- PriceFree (with limitations)
- Formatsbgeo, clip, fbx, geo, hip
Houdini is a popular tool for game development and 3D animation. This 3D animation software is designed around a node-based workflow. The procedural modeling approach of Houdini allows you to alter the entire model and to quickly generate complex geometries at a constant level of quality by changing individual parameters (nodes). From carefully sculpted terrain maps to varied spaceship corridors – almost everything can be generated procedurally.
All the procedural tools in Houdini can be animated in 3D from the shelf. This 3D animation software has a solution for about every challenge in the book: For instance, you can do complex crowd simulations that encompass controls for the crowd’s layout, collision avoidance, terrain adaption, and more. Another specialty of Houdini is the procedurally generated fluids and particles that lend further realism to your 3D animations. Both biped and quadruped 3D characters can be set up for 3D animation easily and quickly with the auto-rig tool, thus eliminating the need to perform this critical task manually. Create anatomically convincing 3D animations with the muscle simulation pipeline built into this 3D animation software.
Should you finish your “Apprenticeship” and want something a little more involving, there are paid versions of Houdini to choose from, with pricing varying between the length of time you want to use it for, as well as your intended use and level.
Website: sidefx.com
Maya
- SoftwareMaya
- ApplicationMotion Capture, Keyframe Animation
- OSWindows, macOS, Linux
- Price$1,700/year
- Formatsai, aiff, dae, dxf, dwg, eps, fbx, maya, mel, obj, stl
Maya is a favorite among 3D animators due to its highly customizable user interface. It was used in many feature films like Transformers, Harry Potter, in the TV series South Park, Game of Thrones, and video games like the Halo series.
3D models in Maya are represented by nodes that specify their relationships and attributes. This powerful 3D animation software allows for complex tweaks with only a couple of keystrokes. A sign of professional 3D animation software, Maya comes with a sophisticated CG compositing program (“MatchMover”) that allows users to combine 3D rendered elements with motion data from film sequences recorded on set by tracking the camera’s movement. In addition, it features a comprehensive tool to model complex objects like fur, hair, clothing, fluids, and particles.
In case you want some credentials before you subscribe to the admittedly expensive 3D animation software, it may interest you that the developers of Maya were honored three times with Academy Awards: In 2003 for Maya itself, in 2005 for the invention of subdivision surfaces, and 2008 for the fluid effects system.
This 3D animation software includes a very easy-to-use auto-rig tool, that can even process quadrupeds and winged models. Setting up a character rig manually is often a painful process, as the weights for each bone have to be painted piecemeal. Maya relieves from this task and creates a sophisticated skinned and weighted rig that is ready for 3D animation. This 3D animation software also features various automation tools for animation along curves or paths, making 3D animation almost child’s play.
Website: autodesk.com
Animaker.
Launched in 2014, Animaker is a do it yourself (DIY) 2d animation software and video editor. It offers a wide range of services, including aiding users to create animated videos using in-built videos and infographics.
In 2017, it launched a vertical video creator tool (animated), the first animation company to do so.
Best for:
The in-built templates are extremely self-sufficient for basic animation work, including educational tutorials and classroom teaching.
Key Features:
- It is a cloud-based animation and video maker for GIF, short video, and live video editing
- Uses HTML and Adobe Flash
- Can directly upload animated videos to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (videos can also be downloaded as mp4 extension)
- Offers Google Chrome extension
- Has one of the largest collections of animated characters, properties, icons, charts, and maps
- Offers video creation in six different, unique styles and video layouts
- Offers video infographics
- Allows you to edit and customize explainer videos (text-to-speech, background music tracks, more than 100 sound effects)
Pros:
- Pro-level features (record, multi-movie, camera, curve, transition effects, enter, and exit effects)
- Animaker deck (pools all the features of animated videos and convenience of powerpoint on the same platform)
- Audio features include voice over and auto lip sync for characters
- Text support for more than 50languages (custom font support)
- Export video in full HD (1080 p)
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.
Conclusion
Have you as an animation professional, ever stopped to consider how much power, potential and amazing animation free software has to offer? There really is a lot to pick from and once you download and start using motion graphics programs for free. You can easily see that they can be used for so much more than just making 2d and 3d art and animations.