- Admin
- June 6, 2020
- Animation
Animation is one of the fastest growing industries in India and abroad and a career in the same can be one of the most promising option, one can choose.
An animation expert always encompasses around the task of establishing a visual communication with the audience. To do the same, it is essential to bear a profound knowledge a clear understanding and skills in specific animation tools and software.
In this article, we will discuss about 15 such essential software and tools for animation, which the beginners need to know and apply. Let the discussion begin.
1)Blender:
Blender is a free, and open source animation software. It consists of all the necessary components which are essential for 3D animation. The components include modelling, rigging, compositing, rendering, animation and so on. Amongst the animation tools, the key feature of Blender includes:
- Realistic rendering, involving high end path tracer
- Enabled to design powerful animation
- Realistic simulation as per industry standard
- User interface can be customized
2) Powtoon:
Talking about the tools for animation, Powtoon is a web based software for animation video and presentation. Here, the animators, can create animations for a lot of purposes like online advertisements, visual communications & presentations, videos contents, audio-visual guidelines, tutorials, and manuals. The software operates on a cloud based platform, and is backed with a user friendly interface, where files can be easily created and shared. Some noted features of the software includes:
- Downloading videos in MP4 format
- Total control on privacy
- Rights for commercial usage
- Third party resell rights
- Libraries free from royalty
- Uploading custom fonts
3) Source Filmmaker
Talking about one of the most exciting 3D animation tools available on Steam game engine, the name of Source Filmmaker deserves a special mention. Using this software, the animators create a movie inside the game engine. This is a free animation software which utilises all the different assets present in the game. The assets of the game can easily be configured by SFM and vice versa with the help of this animation tools free. The key features of this tool includes:
- Absolutely free to download
- Backed with instant rendering and preview features
- Entire workflow controlled within a single system
- In-built virtual movie set
4) Autodesk Maya
When it comes to one of the leading 3D animation tools, no one can deny the importance of Autodesk Maya. An essential advantage of this software is, once you hone up the basics, the rest you can learn animation at ease. This tool is often used to incorporate visual effects in videos and television commercials. The key features include:
- 3D modelling and design
- Digital sculpting
- Development and rendering works
- Creating visual textures
- CG lighting features
- Maya nCloth
- Creating character animations
- Character animations
5) Toon Boom Harmony
This is a very user friendly 3D animation software which the beginners can use easily. Apparently the software may look complex, but with time it eases on application. The software is also an amalgamation of different tools which facilitate you to explore through creative arenas. Some noted features include:
- Brush Engine Technology with vector & bitmap drawing
- Paint options with advanced colour pellets
- Paperless animation
- 2D & 3D integration facilities
6) K-3D
One of the best animation tools in computer graphics and visualization is K-3D, used primarily for 3D modelling. The software is enabled with build-in plugins. Also it contains a visualization pipeline architecture, which provides a powerful and flexible platform for animation artists. The noted features are:
- Advanced Undo & Redo function
- Node based visualization pipeline architecture
- Interactively adjustable properties
7) VideoScribe
VideoScribe is one of the best tools for animation, especially when it comes to whiteboard animation. This 3D animation software for MAC, is enabled with efficient tools, used to create, edit and upload videos via cloud based access. The features of this software includes:
- Premium images
- Music & Fonts for import
- Offline working features
- Saving project online
- Voice-over recording facilities
- Image library
- Features for publish to web
- Seamless options for video resolution
- Music collection free from royalty
8) Biteable
Biteable happens to be a pivotal example amongst the most user-friendly animation tools. This 3D animated video creator software can be used for several purposes, and across a lot of verticals. Biteable is enabled with tools, which animators can use for adding colours, texts, photos and sounds in videos through a ‘drag-and-drop’ template. The noted features include:
- Specialty template available for animating logos
- Easy to create high end presentations and slide shows
- Incorporation of video elements in slide shows and presentations
- Database with 85000 footage clips
- Sharing options in social media
9) Keyshot
KeyShot is easily usable animation software mainly used for 3D rendering and 3D animation. It allows animation artists to create from simple models to subtle, classy and visually stunning compositions. Being one of the best amongst the animation tools, it provides real-time 3D rendering, and display the results as soon as it is finished. It eventually saves a lot of time. Some key features of the software includes:
- Ample 2D and 3D animation tools
- HDRI lighting facilitating enhanced illumination & adjustment
- Virtual camera control
- Simulation of physical camera behaviour
- Dynamic virtual mapping, simulating real physical appearance of a site
- Focused caustics, ensuring the objects and scenes are suitably lit
10) OpenToonz
Talking about the 2D animation tools, a well-deserved name happens to be OpenToonz. The animation software is open source, and is managed by Dwango. There is a premium version of this tool as well with advanced features. The key features of this software are:
- Scanning different images within the product
- Production of affected incident light
- Wavy distortion
- Attractive picture styles
11) Animaker
Animaker is one of the most user friendly animation tools, backed with a ‘drag & drop’ user interface. It facilitates the animators to create different types of animations across various verticals, including advertisements, manuals, and tutorial videos. The software also provides an extensive database of templates and animated objects, and facilitates to create both 2D and 3D info-graphics. The key features include:
- Whiteboard video maker
- Provision for making info-graphics
- Extensive library of characters and templates
- User interface with Drag-and-drop feature
12) Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is one of the best 2D animation tools for beginners. Currently, it has two versions for free download- the stable version and the development version. The stable version contains all the essential features for the fundamental needs and basic projects. The development version, on the other hand contains exclusively brilliant features, which can be used for innovative works. The key features include:
- Content with multiple layers
- Features to create cut-out animations from bitmap images
- Facilitates to add and synchronise background score to a video
13) Pencil 2D
For bitmap and vector animations, Pencil 2D is an essential tool. It helps the animators to create their work with the help of tools like pencil, brush, pen and so on. The key features include:
- The software is backed with efficient tools which makes it an appropriate suit
- Clean and orderly timeline layout for creating new frames on layers
- Switching facility from raster to vector workflow
- Enabled with cross-platform compatibility
14) Toontastic
Talking about the top 3D animation tools and software applications designed by Google, for Android and iOS users, the name of Toontastic, deserve a special mention. It allows the artists to draw and create animation through mobile devices. The key features include:
- Character designing through 3D drawing tools
- Backed with photos & custom characters
- Lots of soundtrack & built-in songs
- Digital storytelling with Three Story Arcs
- Options for Video sharing
15) Animation Desk
Animation Desk is another essential 3D animation software for Android operating system. It allows the animators to create cartoons and animated stories on smartphones. Being one of the most user-friendly option amongst the animation tools, the software application allow the users to seamlessly create animation videos from scratch. Also, the application allows the artist to import external clips and photos to your project as layered form. The key features include:
- 45+ different brushes to create unique animation works
- Allows the users to convert drawings into animations
- Specially designed for beginners and learners
- Supports four frame rates
- Includes pre-loaded dynamic or static backgrounds
- Can be used with Adonit, Ten One Design, and Hex3 styluses
The Conclusion
As the discussion proceeded, it is quite obvious that it enlightened a lot about the 15 essential animation tools, you need to learn as a beginner.
Feel free to give it a second read, if needed, and also share the word in your circle.