Paid or free 2D animation software is mostly used by Professional Graphic Designers, Gamers, Film Makers to create high-quality Animations using Artworks and Vectors. 2D Software's are not that advanced compared to 3D animations which we use for more advanced projects. The 2D animation Software's are entirely different from 2D Software's. 2D animation is one of the oldest forms of animation. 2D animation is created when multiple art objects are appearing one after another which creates an animation. There are so many methods to create 2D animation. One of the time-consuming methods is using 2D software. Don't miss to read the best Game recording software.
SmartBody is a character animation platform originally developed at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies. SmartBody provides locomotion, steering, object manipulation, lip syncing, gazing, nonverbal behavior and retargeting in real time. SmartBody is written in C and can be incorporated into most game and simulation engines. Houdini is a 3D procedural software for modeling, rigging, animation, VFX, look development, lighting and rendering in film, TV, advertising and video game pipelines.
The below-listed software has the capacity to make a beautiful 2d animation. These all are very simple animation software, easy to use, User-friendly and most of these are cross-platform compatible. If you are new to 2d animation, you can also use these Softwares and can learn easily. These Softwares are best for inserting images/ audios, and you can also set frame rates. You can save you 2d animation in Video or Animated images as well.
Best Free 2D animation software
Table of Contents
We are going to list out the free 2D animation software with a download link.
1. Synfig Studio
Website: https://www.synfig.org/
Synfig Studio is full of quality features and is a free 2d animation Software. This software is specially designed for developers and designers who want to develop high-quality animations. The interface of Synfig Studio is divided into four sections, and they are Editing Window, Tools Window, Navigator Window, and Parameters window. There is no need to know about frame by frame sketching and graphing. With this software, you can create stunning animations and films. It is an easy to use open source animation software which is available on Mac and Linux OS as well.
2. Plastic Animation Paper
Website: https://animationpaper.com/
PAP (Plastic Animation Paper) is also on the list of top free animation programs. It has a very impressive toolset. It is only available for Windows users. It was used to be a Paid Animation Paper, but a few years back they make it accessible for free download. So the name was used to Plastic Animation Paper. The software is one of the very simple, effective and one the best 2d animation software available online. It has features like set frame rate, add music, zooming feature, insert colors in the design. You can save your animation in the standard formats like GIF, PNG, TIFF, AVI, TGA, etc. This software also has video tutorials to make you familiar with the software. You can also do the classic style drawn animation in the software, so there is no need to scan any drawings.
3. Vectorian Giotto
Website: https://download.cnet.com/Vectorian-Giotto/3000-6676_4-10524392.html Cgi computer programs.
Vectorian Giotto is full of advanced features that can help you to create complex Flash 2D animations. This software has useful and effective tools, effects and features for making beautiful animation projects. You can also insert a timeline, images, sounds, scenes, etc. in your animation. Some of the tools provide are shapes, pencil, eyedropper, text tool, brush and many other features. It has a setup file of 8MB.
4. Pencil2D Animation
Website: https://www.pencil2d.org/
As an Open Source two-dimension or 2D animation software, it is one of the free animation programs which is completely free to download, and you can use it for commercial projects. It is a very handy software that helps you to create colorful 2D animations with simple tools. You need to create each frame from scratch which means there are no 'tweening' tools like we have in Flash and Toon Boom Animation software. A few of the key features of this software are: Set frame rate, import images/sound, add colors and much more. You can save the animation in SWF, X Sheet and also in a movie format. This software is also available on Mac and Linux OS like Synfig Studio. The interface of this software is very easy and precise to use like Photoshop tool.
5. Tupi 2D Magic
Website: https://kubadownload.com/app/tupi-2d-magic-download
Like the other Softwares, Tupi is also a 2D animation software that has many useful tools and features that help you to create stunning 2D animations. Some of the tools are Pencil, tweening, and color. This tool was previously known as kTooN. You can do traditional frame-by-frame drawn animation with tweening.
The interface design is fantastic, and they have used the screen space very well. The switching of tabs between player mode and the design mode is a very innovative idea. You can easily use this software on a compact screen or laptop. You can export your project in image format or in the video format such as MPG, Flash video, AVI, PNG array, JPG array, etc. It is one of the best free animation software 2d which is available on Mac and Linux OS as well. You can check their website for the animation gallery.
6. PowToon
Website: https://www.powtoon.com/home/?
Most of the people use PowToon for making presentations. But PowToon is also being used for animation projects by both designers and professional business persons. It is super easy to use which has an animated ex-plainer which will help you to make professional-looking animations with ease. There are so many pre-built animation templates to choose from which will save your lot of time as well as make your work easier. PooToon is I think one of the best free animation software 2d for creating video presentations, animations, images and much more. Just install the software and impress your boss or client.
7. CreaToon
Website: https://creatoon.en.softonic.com/
I think you should give this software a try because this tool is made for training purposes and for learning as well. If you are new to 2D animation, then this tool can help you to understand the concept of Keyframing and translation tools which make it the best animation software free, and this is the reason why I am adding this into the list. The drawback is that the final outcome of your animation project will come without the sound or audio. So you have to import the audio from some other source. You can export your project in limited formats which are not a good thing. It also has a feature called slow render time which helps you to sync with the voice and lips. This software is only compatible with the Windows platform.
8. CrazyTalk Animator
Website: https://www.reallusion.com/cartoon-animator/
CrazyTalk Animator is the best alternative 2d animation software of above all. It has some unique features like lip sync which allows the user to add 3D features on your 2D animation. With its advanced animation tools, you can do better animation graphics. CrazyTalk Animator is one of the easiest 2d animation tools.
9. Moho
Website: https://my.smithmicro.com/moho-pro.html
Moho is another very popular and best 2d animation program that beginner and expert can use. This animation software has two versions of Moho Debut (for a beginner) and another is Moho professional for professional animator and graphic designer.
Moho 2d animation software features
- It has animation tools for the beginner.
- The software comes with a video tutorial so it's become very to use for kids and beginners.
- It has freehand drawing tools so you can easily draw animation.
- You can easily edit your animations frame by selecting switch windows.
- Bone rigging animation support can help you to do some more activities.
- It has character wizard so can choose animation character from hundreds of collection within a minute.
You can download Moho studio from here.
Here is the video tutorial for beginners help.
My office crack. Conclusion:
The above is the list of best free 2D animation software that anyone can use because these are for both beginners and professionals. If you are aware of other 2d animation software free which we have not mentioned in the list, do share with us using the comment section below, we will be happy to list that as well.
Also check some useful Software
If you are a beginner in animation, you should select the right animation software to practice. There are several 3D and 2D free animation software available. Here is easy animation software for beginners to use that comes with great features. The best animation software is very helpful in the modern film, education, marketing, cartoon and video game industry.
3d Animation Free Download
2D animation software is still popular and mostly used by designers, educators, trainers, and marketers. They are creating animated videos as one of the key tools for increasing audience engagement.
Here are 20 best free animation software for Mac, Linux, and Windows Computer with 64 bit and 32-bit versions.
Top Best 2D Free Animation Software for Mac, Windows, Linux Computer
Pencil2D
Pencil2D is a free 2d animation program for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. With this drawing software, you can create traditional hand-drawn animation. Pencil2D is very easy to use and best animation software for beginners.
This pencil animation software helps you make cartoon animation effortlessly. Pencil2D program allows you to export your graphics many file format such as FLV, Flash Video (SWF), Movie and to many other formats.
OpenToonz
OpenToonz is another open source 2D animation software for Mac and Windows. This program supports Microsoft Windows 7/8.1/10 and Mac OS X 10.9 or a later version.
CreaToon
CreaToon is another animation software for Windows PC to create 2D animation in cut-out style. Its main advantage is very user-friendly.
Animation Paper
Animation Paper is a software designed to animate hand-drawn pictures in 2 dimensions. This Windows animation software allows the user to draw pictures with a pen tool. After you draw the pictures, Animation Paper collects and synchronize them to create an animation. You can free download Plastic Animation Paper from CNET.
Animation 3d Free
Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is another free open source 2d animation software for Windows 10/7/8, Linux, and Mac OSX. You can download Synfig Studio here.
Stykz
Stykz is totally free best animation software to create compelling 2D animations. It's another multi-platform supports operating systems like Mac, Linux, and Windows. You can free download Stykz here.
Tupi
Tupi is another free open-source 2D animation software comes with easy animation creation process. This free animation program supports operating system such as Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. You can download Tupi here
DrawPlus
DrawPlus is another free animation software for beginners. This program was developed for Microsoft Windows and is fully compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista (32 bit and 64bit), Windows 7 (32bit and 64bit) and Windows 8 (32 bit and 64bit).
Toon Boom
Antics 2-D Animation
Top 3D Free Animation Software for Windows PC, Linux, Mac
Blender
Blender is the most popular industry standard free animation 3D software. This program used by animators, video game specialists, architects, interior designers, scientists, students, VFX professionals, 3D Printing, studio artists and more professionals. It available for major operating systems like Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows 64 bit computer. You can free download Blender here.
Houdini
Houdini is a 3D animation application which is free of charge for non-commercial use. It is available for operating systems like Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
Clara.io
Clara.io is a free cloud-based online animation software that makes complex 3D models and beautiful photorealistic renderings. It is a cross-platform tool that works with a majority of the browsers and OS that includes, Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and Windows.
3d Video Animation Maker
Bryce
Bryce is an award-winning 3D modeling and animation package designed to allow new users to quickly create and render stunning 3D environments. You can free download from cnet.
Aurora 3D Animation Maker
Aurora 3D Animation Maker is a freeware 3D animation program for Windows 10/8/7/vista/XP, and Mac. You can quickly and easily create 3D animations for movie introductions presentations or websites. Free Download Starcraft brood war wiki.
DAZ Studio
DAZ Studio is the perfect tool to design unique digital art and animations using virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories, environments and more. Free Download
K-3D
K-3D is a free 3D animation software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.