The Best Free Animation Software
So you are an aspiring student studying hard to enter an amazing life of an animator in the near future. It’s obvious that you need to learn and master useful animation programs to move in this direction. We have prepared a list of the best of them for you. By the way, they are all available for free download.
Ajax Animation
Ajax Animation started as a replacement to the expensive Flash MX in 2006. Now, it is a general-purpose animation program, which can be used either from an offline installation or from within a web browser. Don’t be confused by the simplicity of Ajax’s interface: it is a full-fledged program suitable for all kinds of standard tasks.
OS: iPad, Mac, Windows
Pencil
Pencil is a free 2D animation program with a great number of amazing features. You will find all the main tools here. Whether you create traditional hand-drawn animation or 2D graphics using both vector and bitmap images, Pencil is a perfect tool for you. It is pretty simple, yet has many opportunities to help you create high-quality animated products really fast.
OS: Linux, Windows, Mac
CreaToon
CreaToon is an entry-level program perfect for inexperienced users. Among the main advantages of this software you will find the versatile file format support, auto in-frame filling, and real-time editing. You will be able to create 2D cut-out animations effortlessly because all the special effects are very easy to apply.
OS: Windows
Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio was initially created as the custom animation platform for Voria Studios. Now it is an open source program for 2D vector graphics and timeline-based computer animation application. It works perfectly for creating simple advertisements, web animations, and feature-film-quality animation. However, Synfig Studio has even more amazing tools to offer for those who are ready to master this program on the professional level. The key features of Synfig Studios are: layers, spatial resolution-independence, path-based gradients, temporal resolution independence, pen tablet-friendly tools, and high dynamic-range imaging.
OS: Linux, Windows, Mac
Stykz
Stykz is a completely free multi-platform animation program for those who are found of stories about stick figures. Actually, if you are not found of drawing stickmen, you may use it as a great animated sketchbook. Stykz allows you to draft things before animating them. With Stykz, you will be able to create your own animations and import them into other applications or just show off to your buddies. It gives you the opportunity to work on the individual frames of your animation. Stykz integrates with Pivot, which is another node-based animation tool.
OS: Linux, Windows, Mac
Clara
Clara is a free, full-featured web-based 3D software. You are free to use it for rendering, animation, and modeling. Clara is an amazing tool for key frame/skeletal animation and polygonal modeling. With Clara, you will be able to create astonishing photorealistic renderings and complex 3D models for any purpose.
OS: Browser-based
Blender
Blender is a free 3D graphics software. It is used for creating video games, animated films, 3D printed models, visual effects, interactive 3D applications, and art. With its wonderful features, you will be able to reach the impressive results even if you are a beginner. These features include video compositing and editing, 3D modeling, soft body simulation, camera tracking, rigging and skinning, rendering, animating, UV unwrapping, fluid and smoke simulation, texturing, match moving, and particle simulation.
OS: Mac, Linux, Windows, FreeBSD
DAZ Studio
DAZ Studio is a superior animation and modeling software, which has become the new standard in 3D human modeling. It provides superior control, movement, articulation, HD Morphing technology, as well as gender specific sculpting. With DAZ 3D, you will not only create powerful human 3D figures, but also fantastic creatures, vehicles, accessories, and many other objects.
OS: Windows, Mac
Bryce
Bryce is a 3D animation, rendering and modeling software that mostly specializes in the fractal landscapes. Bryce allows you to design the 3D environments just in no time. You will be able to create water, rocks, vegetation, fog, terrain, clouds, and architecture. Also, it is very easy to use.
OS: Windows, Mac
Plastic Animation Paper
One more amazing 2D program to embody your drawing ideas into life. With Plastic Animation Paper adorable animations are really simple to create. As a tool developed for animators who need to make a simple sketch and find the best solution fast, Plastic Animation Paper is so simple that can be used intuitively. This program manages your rough movements, helping you to analyze your work and find a particular character’s position quickly.
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