Can You Recommend a 2D Animation program?

Discussion in Software PC & Mac started by troutski • Aug 13, 2014.

  1. troutski

    troutskiWell-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2014
    Threads:
    139
    Messages:
    1,366
    Likes Received:
    115
    I'm looking to create some videos with 2D animation in them. I can draw, but I need the right software to put everything together and get it into motion. Can you recommend any 2D animation programs? I don't really have any problem with budget here, so you can recommend some of the more expensive options. I definitely want to know about the cheap options, too, though.
     
  2. Kek

    KekActive Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2014
    Threads:
    20
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    1
    You should definitely try out

    Log In

    It's pretty basic and extremely easy to use. Try that if you want to create simple stick-figure animations. Creating complex animation might take too long with a simple software like the Pivot Animator, so I wouldn't recommend it for bigger projects.

    If you want to create large, complex animations, Adobe Flash would be your best bet, if you ask me. It's quite pricy and complicated to use, but you shouldn't have problems with it if you watch some good tutorials on it. I think

    Log In

    has the best ones, so check them out! Good luck!
     
  3. johnnear

    johnnearActive Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2014
    Threads:
    8
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    3
    Well, to be honest with you there's really no right software when it comes to animation since it's all in the artists skills and talents. It still depends on what kind of 2D animation you're going to make, if it's Flash Animation, well you got Flash, if you're planning on doing a Disney type of animation, you can also use Flash or Photoshop (Yes you can do animation in Photoshop) Or if you want a more cartoon-ish kind of animation, you can use Toon Boom. What would I recommend among the three? My best bet would be Toon Boom. But again, it's not the software.
     
  4. deathbyprayer

    deathbyprayerActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2014
    Threads:
    58
    Messages:
    869
    Likes Received:
    18
    I'd recommend ToonBoom. I use ToonBoom a lot when I was still in college and even when I landed a job as an animator. ToonBoom is pretty much like flash but is more focused on animation and is very easy to use. But like what the other guy said, it doesn't matter what software you use, as long as you understand the principles behind animation and you can draw quite well, any software you use will do you magic.
     
  5. lindbergh

    lindberghWell-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    Threads:
    329
    Messages:
    1,131
    Likes Received:
    17
    I agree that ToonBoom is a great software to use for 2D animation. I have it installed in my laptop and am currently reading some tutorials on it. I think it's easier to use than most of the 2D animation software out on the market.

    An alternative to ToonBoom would be Anime Studio Pro. Again, you won't be able to create animations in a jiffy. However, there are also a lot of tutorials available so you won't be at a loss when you're going to use the software.
     
  6. eppie

    eppieActive Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2014
    Threads:
    7
    Messages:
    387
    Likes Received:
    17
    My kids love Pivot, unfortunately you cannot save it in a GIF file (free version) unlike the earlier versions. And I agree that it can work with simple animated projects. Also, thanks for the link (Lynda.com), the site is really amazing (bookmarked). :D
     
  7. beccagreen

    beccagreenActive Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2014
    Threads:
    15
    Messages:
    375
    Likes Received:
    7
    ToonBoom is my recommendation, I would say Flash but it's fairly not an animation software 100% so it might not offer features than a real animation software might have, but still it's pretty good though. ToonBoom is probably the best you can get. It's easy to use and you have ton's of tutorials out there you can access to be able to learn the software. Plus it has a lot of nice features that Flash don't really have.