It's no secret that video is a powerful marketing tool. In accordance withSeek, video marketers enjoy 66% more qualified leads each year. However, it is not always easy to publish content on videos.
The biggest challenge you face is coming up with creative ideas for videos. If engagement is your main goal, try promoting your business through an animated video.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need expensive software to create animated clips. In fact, you can create these videos for free. Take a look at some of the best free animation programs for beginners, experts and everyone else.
Top 13 free animation software for beginners and professionals
1.Animator
Platforms:web browser based
Animaker is free animation software for beginners with simple drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive mix-and-match interface. There are six main types of videos you can create with Animaker:
- 2d
- infographics
- handmade
- white box
- 2,5D
- Typography
With Full HD support, horizontal and vertical video layouts, and pre-designed graphics, you can create fun, animated videos in no time.
Audio features include text-to-speech, the option to add background music and sound effects, and voiceover. You can choose from Animaker's sound library or upload your own music.
If you want to pay for the Pro version, you can also get advanced features: in-app camera, multi-motion, curves, transition effects, and entry/exit effects. It's like all those PowerPoint animations, except it's cool and not so cheesy.
2.Mixer
Platforms:Windows-Mac-Linux
Use Blender if you are looking for the best video animation software for professional editors and creators. The free, open-source 3D animation tool supports "modeling, manipulation, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking,video outputand 2D animation pipeline”. The platform is a public project and creators from around the world contribute to its ongoing maintenance.
Let's talk about functions:
- Depiction:Cycles is Blender's ray-tracing-based production rendering engine, FreeStyle is a frame- and line-based non-photorealistic (NPR) rendering engine, and real-time feedback speeds up the editing process.
- Model:Blender's modeling tools include sculpting, retopology, modeling, curves, and more.
- Sculpture:Digital sculpting tools are flexible for each stage of the digital production process.
- Animation and Montage:These tools include a pose editor for character animations, non-linear animation (NLA) for independent movement, forward/backward IK kinematics for quick poses, and sound synchronization.
- Crayon:Draw directly in 3D and combine 2D/3D art.
- visual effects:From tracking camera and object movements to masking and compositing, there are numerous fixes you can apply in post-production.
- Simulation:Create simulations of fog, smoke, rain, fire, liquids and more.
- Installation:Choose from a long list of import/export options.
- video output:a built-invideo editorIt allows basic actions like video cutting and splicing and more complex tasks like video masking or color correction.
Yes, that's a lot. Blender is a complete tool. And it's all free.
Editor's note: We review Blender along with 29 other video editing tools in this review.
3.K-3D
Platforms:Windows-Linux
K-3D is free 3D animation software specialized in polygon modeling, a digital graphics approach that uses polygons to represent and approximate the surfaces of objects. Designed for artists, the software combines plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture: it adapts to the look and feel of the tools with which it is integrated.
Start with yoursTutorial-Wiki, which shows you how to master features like textures, shadows, and symmetrical modeling.
One of his best qualities? Easy undo/redo function so you can quickly correct a mistake. Most programs only offer the option of undoing an action.
With both procedural and parametric workflows, you can make adjustments and see the change immediately. A node-based preview pipeline means editors can create connections and combinations for different elements in the video. You can work on one side of a model and mirror the other side to see how it will be welded.
K-3D is an advanced tool for true creatives.
4.OpenToonzGenericName
Platforms:Windows, Mac and Linux
OpenToonz is one of the leading free animation software for 2D videos. Open source software is free for commercial and non-commercial use, so you can use it forcreate marketing videosfor your brand
It's also packed with features like:
- Digital drawing tools: Vector and bitmap drawing tools
- Indexed Color Palettes - Fast painting and color changing
- Effects and Compositing: Animated special effects and composite scenes: Choose from blur, lighting, keys, masks, wrappers and over 100 other effects
- Scripting: Automations via an ECMA-compliant scripting engine
- Motion Tracking: Combine your animation with video footage
- Scan and Clean: Create vectors from paper drawings
- Frame-by-frame animation: with configurable onion screen
- Motion Tween Link objects or use motion paths to create complex movements
- Bone Character Animation - With IK support and mesh warps
- Particle systems: for rain, dust and similar effects
You can create some pretty advanced animations with this tool.
COULD YOU SET AN EXAMPLE HERE?https://twitter.com/hashtag/opentoonzany ideas:
- https://twitter.com/tonygaddisart/status/1087045058417684480
- https://twitter.com/DarrenTAnims/status/1176928091811254272
- https://twitter.com/Ghostiesfm/status/1176645497240588288
If you have any problem using free animation software, you can always contact the user community or developer forum.
5.2D-blessing animation
Platforms:Windows, Mac and Linux
Pencil2D is a simple animation software that allows you to create hand-drawn 2D videos. The open-source software is free for both personal and commercial use, so you can use it just for fun or create videos for yourself.promote your products.
The interface is simple and easy to use. Also, there are several tutorials on the Pencil2D website to help you get started.
Other properties:
- Import picture and sound
- Switch between raster and vector workflows so you can draw, share, and paint
- Adjust frame rate
- Add distortion and light effects.
- onion peel
- Toolbar Customizations
- pressure sensitivity
- Various export formats
6.Plastic animation paper
Platforms:Windows, Mac and Linux
Though the UI is outdated, Plastic Animation Paper (PAP) is free to download and use.
With PAP, you can create hand-drawn 2D animations while previewing your edits in real time. Editing can be cumbersome, but it's easy for a beginner to learn and get comfortable with. It is enough for simple animated videos.
Outstanding features include basic drawing tools, zoom, rotate, crop, levels and more.
Soon the creator of PAP will release a new and more advanced program called "79$".Animationspapier.
Ideal for experienced animators, Animation Paper helps animators create 2D graphics from hand-drawn illustrations, along with a long list of features:
- Small and large format frames.
- Smooth real-time zooming and rotating, plus multiple flip options
- Advanced and customizable onion skin
- layers and lace
- High quality lines and stabilization.
- coloring and painting
- Real-time full-screen reference on a second monitor for quick editing
When you're done creating your animated video, the export options include .mp4, .mov, and .png or .svg image stacks.
7.Powtoon
Platforms:web browser based
The next free video animation software is Powtoon, which is designed for dynamic video presentations. While there are paid options with more advanced features, Powtoon also offers a simplified free tool for videos up to three minutes long.
In addition to what is mentioned above, Powtoon Freeware also has:
- custom styles
- Adjustable proportions and sizes.
- YouTube-, Facebook-, Wistia-, Vimeo-, PowerPoint- und PDF-Export
- Full implementation of video, animation, gif and image file
It's a great tool for beginners, with plenty of professional-looking templates to choose from, including animated explanations and infographic-style videos, as well as templates designed specifically for thatproduct promotion. You can also start from scratch or import a PowerPoint design.
8.Contact
Platforms:Windows, Mac and Linux
Contactis one of the easiest animation programs to use. With it, you can create simple 2D animated videos.
Stykz is framework-based, which means that it works on a single framework at the same time. It uses onion skins so you can see the frame at the top and how the two flow together.
All edits are done within the "stage"; In other words, you make your edits and view your changes in the same window. You don't have to switch between views.
Edit one or more stick figures, fill in shapes and import your own stick figures. Everything is automatically saved as you proceed, so you don't have to worry about losing all your hard work.
9.Synfig-Studio
Platforms:Windows, Mac and Linux
The next free online video animation is Synfig Studio, an open source platform for creating 2D animated videos. Use this to use vector graphics to create animations based on the timeline.
Like OpenToonz, it offers a built-in animation control system so you can create natural movements. Create jagged animations with bitmap images and use the Skeleton Distort add-on layer for complex deformations in bitmap graphics.
Advanced features include linking parameters to layers, allowing you to create character puppets and other advanced dynamic structures. It's certainly not made for beginners, so choose a simpler option to start with before upgrading to Synfig's more advanced features. Many video tutorials will help you get acquainted with the program.
Here is an example of a fun animated short film made with Synfig Studio:
103D animation
Platforms:Androide iOS
Google's free animation software for Android, Toontastic 3DIt's aimed at kids, but brands can also use it to create animated 3D videos. ideal forNarrative, get started with Toontastic by creating your own characters, either from scratch or based on an uploaded photo. Then it's time to put your characters into a story.
Toontastic encourages aspiring storytellers to get creative with their stories, and brands can do the same. Plan your storyline, animate it, add narration and music, then export to share with the world.
Its plot is based on Toontastic models, each with a different number of scenes. Toontastic also has pre-made scenes to choose from, so all you have to do is "draw" the characters.
If that sounds like a lot of steps, Google says you can create a one-minute video with up to six scenes in just a minute, although that doesn't include the time it takes to create your characters in advance. It also works offline, so you can create videos on your daily commute or when your WiFi isn't working.
If you're looking for more control and creative flexibility, Toontastic isn't the best choice. It's more appropriate for those who areverynew to animated videos. You will soon be completing one of the others on this list!
11TubiTube
Platforms:Windows, Mac and Linux
TubiTube is among the best video animation tools for beginners. Ideal for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even kids, this simple software makes animation accessible to everyone. A clean and simple interface means you don't have to spend a lot of time learning before you can bring your creations to life.
With TubiTube you get a fantastic range of basic 2D animation solutions including painting and drawing tools, image/vector import, manual scaling, rotation and opacity.
Available under the "GPL" license, TubiTube is ideal for budget-conscious animators and is also flexible. You can render parts in SWF, MPEG and AVI formats. There's even a social media community where you can connect with fellow animators for quick tips.
12Who 4D
Platforms:Windows and Mac
Suitable for both beginners and advanced animators, Cinema 4D is versatile software that allows users to do more than just animate. You can use Cinema 4D for modelling, texturing, visual effects and lighting, all within an intuitive interface.
Cinema 4D's customizable theme is ideal for creating the most convenient user experience for each animator. There's also access to Mograph, which allows designers to create more complex sequences without the clutter of traditional software.
If you're looking for something that's easy to learn but scalable enough to help you create more sophisticated animations, this might be the tool for you. Additional features include ZBrush's automatic retopology for creating optimized meshes and advanced quilt simulation.
13clara.io
Platforms:Web browsers, Mac, Windows and Linux
As a web-based application for creative professionals, Clara.io ensures that you can work in your browser when creating, animating and rendering 3D content. The streamlined user interface has a variety of powerful tools, including sub-object editing, VRay cloud rendering, and responsive workflows.
While working on your animations with the modern interface, you can also invite other colleagues to interact with you. Simple sharing and embedding functions make collaboration easier. Clara also automatically saves all your work and progress to the cloud.
More than 30 popular 3D file formats are supported for import and export. In addition, you can customize and extend the functionality of your application with plugins and REST API access.
If you need help figuring out what to build with Clara.io, there is afantastic library of 3D modelsYou can use as inspiration.
Cheer yourself to success
There you have it: a list of the 13 best free animation software for beginners and pros alike. Which tool you choose really depends on your skill level, hardware, and the types of videos you want to create. In short, this is what you get with the software featured in this article:
- Animator:Simple browser-based animation software for beginners, with paid upgrades available
- Mixer:advanced open source 3D animation software for video savvy people
- K-3D:3D animation software with polygonal modeling
- Open Toonz:2D animation software with a long list of features for professionals or video experts
- 2D pencil:Hand-drawn 2D animated videos with a simple interface, easy to use for beginners but packed with features
- Plastic animation paper:useful for embedding hand-drawn characters in 2D animated videos
- Powtoon:excellent for creating simple three-minute explainer videos or infographics in presentation format
- Contact:Easy to use stick figure based 2D animation software for beginners
- Synfig-Studio:Robust software for creating vector-based animated videos with advanced character controls
- Toontástico 3D:for people who are new to creating animated videos; is aimed at kids, but you can also create simple story and character-based videos for brands
- TubiTube:For enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even kids, this software is a great choice to start your animation journey.
- Who 4D:allows users to create complex sequences without the confusing elements of standard animation software
- clara.io- Provides a variety of powerful tools to easily animate your video content
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