Software for Animation 2d can be a difficult thing to choose. You have to make sure that you get the right software for the job, but also that it’s going to provide you with all of the tools necessary to not just create an animation, but create a good one. Luckily there are a lot of different software options out there, and many of them will work for you. In this article we’ve taken a look at what we believe are the best pieces of software for animated movies in 2017.
A lot can be said about software for animation 2d. I’m not, however, an expert on the topic. But artists have always created with whatever tools were available to them at the time, so here are some of the software packages most often used by animators.
Clip Studio Paint
A cross-platform drawing and animation software
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, AndroidPrice: $219 or 2.29/monthBest for: Beginners, hobbyists and professionalsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Includes drawing tools+Multiple export options
REASONS TO AVOID
-Confusing UI-No rigging toolsAdvertisement
Clip Studio Paint is a powerhouse when it comes to an all-in-one drawing and animation solution. While it may not offer a powerful rigging system, Clip Studio Paint lets you combine frame-by-frame animation with camera effects so that you can create stunning full-length animations. In addition, with its simple timeline interface, you’ll be able to easily tweak the speed of your animation and even rearrange the animation cels. Best of all: Clip Studio Paint runs on nearly every major platform.
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.
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.
Houdini
Use on: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Best for: Experienced to pro
An advanced animation tool, Houdini has been used in several well-known feature films, including “Frozen” and “Zootopia.” Houdini offers what’s called a procedural workflow, which generates animation in real time. This is used to simulate things like smoke, fire, water, hair, fur, and clothing. Ultimately, this allows animators to create dynamic and realistic effects.
Another unique feature of Houdini is its nodes-based workflow. Every action is stored in a node, which can be rearranged and adjusted to refine the final product. This provides flexibility and cost-effectiveness that isn’t always possible with other types of software.
Even with these advanced features, Houdini is intuitive and easy to use, making it one of the most powerful and robust animation software options available.
The more advanced versions of Houdini are available to purchase; however, students and hobbyists can access a pared-down version of Houdini to use for non-commercial projects for free.
Blender
Use on: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Best for: Everyone, beginner to pro
If you’re looking for free animation software, take a look at Blender. Blender stands out from other options in that it is an open-source 3D animation suite. That means it’s been developed by many contributors from around the world—so you can be sure that it offers robust and varied capabilities.
Blender supports the entire animation workflow from start to finish: modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, and video editing. Users also appreciate that they can import external objects, such as textures and other animations.
Did we mention it’s free?
Muvizu
Key Features:
Muvizu is another animated video creator that will let you create the animated YouTube videos in seconds or minutes. The best part about this software is that you don’t have to be a professional to use it but the output video will still look like created by an animated video professional. Moreover, there is a vast variety of characters and scenes available in the software and you can edit every aspect of the video to cater to your needs. The resultant video will not only have the perfect scene but the movements of the characters can also be controlled using editing options. Last but not the least feature is lip-synced, which will help you incorporate an audio track perfectly on a character.
Price: Free or $29.99 only
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Vast variety of scenes and characters
- Offline video Creation
- Doesn’t high-end PC aspects
- Cheaper as compared to any other animated video creator
Cons:
- Only Available for Windows
- Doesn’t offer much customization
- Don’t support Online video saving
Conclusion
With the development of the software for animation 2d, there has been an explosion in animated movies, more than ever before. And today, more than ever before, traditionalist filmmakers are making way for the digital generation, which is also increasingly making use of different kinds of animation.