1. *Toon Boom Harmony * .
- Price: $25/month. (required), $64.50/hour. (Advanced), $117.50/Ma. (growth)
- OS: Linux, macOS, Windows;
- Level: Executive
Toon Boom Harmony is a popular 2D animation software that caters to both beginners and professionals. It offers a variety of versatile techniques, including traditional graphics and photography. The program features different camera angles, post-production effects, vector drawing capabilities, and lip processing for perfectly synchronized voiceover animation It is a valuable animation tool in movies and TV shows. The Toon Boom Harmony comes in three versions: Essentials (for students and enthusiasts), Advanced (for professionals), and Premium (for advanced users).
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| 2D animation software |
*Special Features:*
- Available with professional-grade equipment for Disney-like animation
- Lighting and shading options for life-like depth and volume
*Pros :*
- With professional animators
- Plenty suitable for beginners and professionals
*Cons :*
- Determine the complex structure required
- It can be a bit expensive for thrill seekers
2. *Pencil2D* .
- Price: Free
- OS: Linux, macOS, Windows;
- Level: Executive
Pencil2D stands out as a powerful 2D animation program with minimal workspace, intended to minimize distractions while animating. It specializes in traditional frame-by-frame animation, allowing you to create each keyframe from scratch. The software is completely free and compatible with Windows 7, Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit versions), Mac, and Linux.
*Special Features:*
- Support for raster and vector graphics
- Built-in templates for convenience
*Pros :*
-Ideal for hand-drawn animation enthusiasts
- Provides a compact and user-friendly workspace
*Cons :*
- Not renewed as frequently as some competing systems
- It may lack some advanced features found in similar software
3. *Synfig*
- Price: Free
- OS: Linux, macOS, Windows;
- Level: Executive
Synfig is a powerful open-source 2D animation software that rivals commercial tools. Its interface and functionality are reminiscent of Adobe® Flash® (now Adobe® Animate), and allow Flash users to access it. Synfig has advanced animation capabilities, including vector tweening, layers, filters, and bone-based animation.
*Special Features:*
- Vector animation capabilities
- Skeleton-based support for fluid movement
*Pros :*
- Equipped with professional-grade animation equipment
- Completely free to use
*Cons :*
- There must be a steep learning curve
- High performance requires powerful computers
4. *Cartoon Animator 4* .
- Price: $248 (free trial)
- OS: macOS, Windows
- Level: Executive
Cartoon Animator 4 is a high-quality 2D animation program popular with artists, illustrators, videographers, game designers, students, and teachers. It offers a library of well-rounded characters, an exciting range of user interfaces and special effects. The software has advanced features such as motion capture for facial expressions and body movements, and lip automation for imported or recorded vocal tracks
*Special Features:*
- Motion capture support for 3D animation
- 360-degree header design for advanced color customization
*Pros :*
- Allows you to create 2D colors from images or photos
- Provides professional-grade working conditions
*Cons :*
- Available without automatic uploading to Facebook or YouTube
- Some transactions may require additional fees
These 2D animation software cater to a variety of needs from beginning animators to experienced professionals. Choose one that matches your skills and creative aspirations to bring your vivid visions to life.
Looking for more 2D animation software options
5. OpenToonz* .
- Price: Free
- OS: macOS, Windows
- Level: Executive
OpenToonz is another great open source 2D animation software, and excels at combining traditional graphics and 2D animation. The software offers GTS tools for scanning black-and-white or color images, which you can then use in conjunction with its built-in graphics tools. OpenToonz has feature-rich tools that rival expensive commercial software.
*Special Features:*
- Proprietary GTS scanning equipment
- Actual frame-by-frame animation
*Pros :*
- Completely free to use
-Ideal for hand-drawn animation enthusiasts
*Cons :*
- The interface seems outdated
- The learning curve can be steep
6. *Stop Motion Studio* .
- Price: $4.99 (Android, iOS, ChromeOS), $9.99 (macOS, Windows).
- OS: Android, iOS, ChromeOS, MacOS, Windows
- Level: Beginners
Stop Motion Studio is an affordable and user-friendly 2D animation program suitable for Windows 10 and Mac computers, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. The software easily facilitates the creation of interesting still images. You can connect your DSLR camera and take photos directly during the event, with the software controlling the camera settings frame by frame. Stop Motion Studio also lets you add text, themes, colors, graphics, and green screen backgrounds to enhance your stop-motion animations.
*Special Features:*
- Compatible with most digital cameras as well as phone/tablet cameras
- Support for green screen background
*Pros :*
- Perfect for LEGO and Claymation video crafting
-Ideal for children and beginners
*Cons :*
- Specially designed for stop-motion animation, not full animation
- Some features may require in-app purchases
7. *Moho Pro*
- Price: $399.99 (30 Day Free Trial)
- OS: macOS, Windows
- Level: Beginners
Moho Pro is a great starting point for 2D animation enthusiasts. It includes easy-to-use systems suitable for beginners by providing more advanced features for professional use. Notably, it has a Smart Bones feature that reduces or eliminates distortion around wrist and knee joints when animating characters.
*Special Features:*
- Complex 2D rigging system
- With lips joined together
*Pros :*
- visible inside
- Smart Bones add realism to the character's movements
*Cons :*
- The price is high
-Some improvements may need time to master
8. *Adobe Animate*.
- Price: $20.99/Ma. (Free trial available)
- OS: macOS, Windows
- Level Employee
Adobe® Animate®, formerly Adobe® Flash®, is a professional 2D animation software packaged with advanced graphics and animation tools. Includes animation, skeleton, and camera techniques for life-like images, such as pan, zoom and rotation. Adobe® Animate® is part of the Adobe® Creative Cloud® suite and is ideally suited for anime production.
*Special Features:*
- Based skeleton animation support
- Virtual camera functionality
*Pros :*
- Easily integrates with other Adobe software, including Illustrator® and Photoshop®
- Support save clips in AVI and MP4 formats including 4K
*Cons :*
- Lack of dedicated audio editing equipment
- Heavily dependent on other Creative Cloud® services
9. *Tupitube*
- Price: Free
- OS: Android, Linux, MacOS, Windows;
- Level: Beginners
Created by two professionals, TupiTube aimed to promote the animation industry in Latin America. Designed specifically for kids and amateurs, this open-source software provides a simple interface for creating frame-by-frame and cut-out flash-style animations
*Special Features:*
- Display character animation capabilities
- Image library for convenience
*Side:*
- Easy to learn and suitable for children and teenagers
- Free use of the
*Cons :*
- May lack the polish of other animation software
- Not available on iOS devices
10. *Adobe Characters Animator * .
- Price: $54.99/month. (Part of Adobe® Creative Cloud®)
- OS: macOS, Windows
- Level: Beginners
Adobe® Character Animator® uses motion capture technology to simplify the creation of lifelike animations. Users can choose from a pre-made 2D puppet or craft custom, recorded characters
pace yourself to keep the characters alive. The software also tracks facial expressions for additional authenticity.
*Special Features:*
- True motion capture animation
- Set up animation production by recording video
*Pros :*
- Effortless animation generation based on recorded motion
- Provide customizable puppet characters
*Cons :*
- Heavily based on new Creative Cloud® services
- Might not be budget-friendly for hobbyists
To summarize: Choosing 2D Animation Software
There are many different 2D animation software options available depending on skill and preference, consider the following factors when choosing the one that best suits their needs:
- The animation you want to create (e.g. traditional cel animation, digital animation, stop motion, cut-out animation, etc.).
- target user level (initiator or entrepreneur) .
- Ease of use, including interface, workflow, and compatibility with input devices such as drawing tablets
- Availability of features and tools including advanced functionality for more sophisticated animations
- Cost considerations including initial purchase costs and subscription fees
Whether you are an aspiring designer or an experienced designer, the right 2D design software is waiting for you, ready to bring your creative ideas to life.
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