9 Best Animation Software for Beginners
What is the best animation software to use? This is the most common question asked by the students learning animation. In this blog you will learn about top 2D and 3D animation software that are mosy sought by animation students.This article will give you clear insights about best animation software for beginners.
What is 2D Animation? (Two-Dimensional Animation)
The creation of moving characters/pictures in a two-dimensional environment, such as through “traditional” cel animation or in computerized animation software. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or “frames”, that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps. The eye can be “fooled” into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at a rate of 24 frames per second or faster.
Following is the list of Best 2D Animation Softwares.
Here I did not include every animation software out there, just top 5 software which useful for 2D animation.
1. Anime Studio :-
Anime Studio is your complete animation program for creating 2D movies, cartoons, anime and cut out animations. Anime Studio has everything you need to make amazing, professional animations.
Supported platforms:
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
- Mac OS X
Website: Smithmicro
2. Adobe Flash :-
Adobe known as “Macromedia Flash” and “Shockwave Flash”. Adobe Flash, commonly referred to simply as Flash, is a multimedia system for computers that is generally accessed through a web browser, though it is also used for standalone development and as a method of creating compelling user interfaces and menus on some cell phones. Flash is also the system that supports streaming video on sites like YouTube. Adobe is now promoting Flash through its Open Screen Project, which counts many other companies as members. Some phones make use of a system called Flash Lite, which offers a subset of the full Flash capabilities that is enough to enable most online Flash-based video content to be viewed.
Supported platforms :
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
- Mac OS X
- Linux
Website: Adobe
3. Toon Boom :-
Toon Boom is a Canadian software company that specializes in animation production and storyboarding software.
Supported platforms :
- Windows XP
- Mac OS X
Website: Toonboom
4. CreaToon :-
CreaToon is a powerful PC software solution to create 2D animation in cut-out style. Its main advantages are the ease of use and the real-time feedback. Moreover, CreaToon allows you to add effects that are simply not possible with traditional cut-out animation. CreaToon software is real time editing and previewing your animation and easy to use drag-and-drop interface.
Supported platforms :
- Windows XP
5. Adobe Photoshop :-
Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Systems for Windows and OS X. Adobe Photoshop is the predominant photo editing and manipulation software on the market. Its uses range from full featured editing of large batches of photos to creating intricate digital paintings and drawings that mimic those done by hand.
Supported platforms:
- Windows XP
- Mac OS X
Website: Adobe
Learning 2D animation will be more fun if you master ine of these high end animation softwares for 2D animation.
What is 3D Animation? (Three-Dimensional Animation)
The creation of moving characters/pictures in a three-dimensional digital environment. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or “frames”, that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps, filmed by a virtual “camera” and then output to video by a rendering engine. The eye can be “fooled” into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at a rate of 24 frames per second or faster.
Following is the list of Best 3D Animation Softwares
1. Maya :-
Maya , also known as Autodesk Maya is an animation and modeling program used to create 3D (three-dimensional) full-motion effects. Maya incorporates the natural laws of physics to control the behavior of virtual objects in computer animation. Maya can produce videos that are more life-like than has been possible with less sophisticated programs.
Supported platforms :
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
- Mac OS X
- Linux
Website: Autodesk
2. Lightwave :-
LightWave 3D is a 3D computer graphics software developed by NewTek. It has been used in film, television, motion graphics, digital matte painting, visual effects, video games development, product design, architectural visualizations, virtual production, music videos, pre-visualizations and advertising.
Supported platforms:
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
- Mac OS X
Website: Maya
3. 3D Studio Max :-
3D Studio Max,is known as Autodesk 3ds Max, is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images. It is developed and produced by Autodesk Media and Entertainment. It has modeling capabilities, a flexible plugin architecture and can be used on the Microsoft Windows platform.
Supported platforms:
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
4. Blender :-
Blender is a professional free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games. Blender’s features include 3D modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, raster graphics editing, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulation, particle simulation, soft body simulation, sculpting, animating, match moving, camera tracking, rendering, video editing and compositing. Alongside the modeling features it also has an integrated game engine.
Supported platforms:
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
- Mac OS X
- Linux
Website: Blender
Learning these software will help you crack any animation interview.
Anibrain School of Media Design has been successfully offering professional courses both in 2D and 3D Animation.
More than the tools, it is passion,patience and strong desire to learn and adapt new techniques is all what required to become a successful animator.