It is difficult to argue with the fact that today there are many programs for animation of different functionality and for different purposes. But in today’s review, we bring you an overview of the best 2D and 3D animation software in 2023. We have briefly described the features and benefits of each program to make it easier for you to choose the most ideal option for you.
By this token, did you know that the Lifehack website has a very interesting and informative article on the topic of 3 main types of animation? We recommend reading this if you are into the world of digital animation.
2D Animation
2D animation is one of the key variations of animation. It is this type that is most often the basis for the process of creating cartoons. videos for advertising, educational video content, online games, and more. It is worth saying that we will just start with a review of animation programs specifically for two-dimensional animation. In this section, you will find options for both a beginner and an experienced animator.
Moho
The current version of Moho Pro 13.5 is professional 2D animation software. With it, you can draw on a graphics tablet, make storyboards, and layer-by-layer processing. In addition to tools for creating your objects, there is a built-in library of visual objects and characters. Compatible with Unity, a cross-platform environment for game development. Export and import of scenes, adding a background, and overlaying audio on video are available. There is a special technology for creating a realistic skeleton.
The program has a clear interface. It is worth noting that at launch it is proposed to study introductory lessons. In part, this can be seen as a list of short tips to improve your drawing skills, albeit at the most basic level.
Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is a free and open-source 2D animation service, donations are welcome. Intermediates are created automatically. Morphing technology, filters, gradients, skeletal animation are available. Ability to add soft shading by supporting contour gradients. A variety of effects can be applied to layers or groups of layers. There is an option to work with vector format and a function to import raster images. You can draw on the tablet by adjusting the thickness of the line by pressing. HDRI technology is used for correct color reproduction.
Cartoon Animator 4
2D animation software is formerly known as CrazyTalk Animator. With Cartoon Animator 4, you can bring images to life, work with backgrounds and various details. The editor allows you to accurately convey facial expressions and lip movements. Fast and high-quality rigging, there are templates and movement libraries. Suitable for animation and games. Using a special script, you can export the animation to Adobe After Effects. The program website has a lot of useful materials in English, including tips to improve your drawing skills.
3D Animation And Universal Programs
3D animation is a symbiosis of manipulating characters and objects in 3D space. Thus, the illusion of a certain movement is created. All objects are based on 3D models. These models, in turn, are assimilated into the digital environment through the use of special tools for 3D modeling. Among other things, 3D animation is often included in the list of web development services, so this topic is now more relevant than ever. So, it’s time to move on to applications that are used to work with 3D animation or are universal.
Adobe Animate
Professional program with powerful tools for creating illustrations and animations. Using Adobe Animate, you can process the finished image or create a new one, overlay sound, add video. The application supports raster and vector graphics, allowing you to create 2D and 3D animation. There is a library of ready objects. With Adobe Animate, you can create interactive animations for games, websites, and apps, bring banner ads or cartoons to life and create other types of multimedia content, including augmented reality.
The main disadvantage is the cost if you do not make money with animation, but only study or want to try. Otherwise, this is one of the top animation software in 2023. There are several built-in lessons and many online tutorials that will give you useful tips to improve your drawing skills.
Cinema 4D
Maxon’s professional solution for 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and realistic rendering. It is used in the development of design and games, the creation of motion graphics, visual effects, for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. Cinema 4D was one of the main tools in the making of Doctor Strange. The MoGraph module allows you to create complex animations quickly and easily. Using the Clone tool, you can clone objects according to the specified parameters. They are easy to compose and give movement with the help of effectors.
Blender
Blender is a free software with which you can perform the entire process of creating 3D animation: modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, realistic rendering, compositing, motion tracking, video editing. Works with 2D animation, both types can be combined. For high-quality 2D drawing, the Grease Pencil tool is used. A large set of tools simplifies the creation and transformation of models. Available to create seamless textures.
Blender has tools for sculpting and polygonal modeling, making it possible to quickly move from concept to finished model. Sculpting includes 20 different types of brushes, support for different resolutions, dynamic topology, mirroring.
Some General Tips To Improve Your Drawing Skills
Do you have a dream of becoming a professional animator? For this, it is not enough to download good software for animation. And even if you are capable of drawing, even one talent will not be enough. It is necessary to hone the technique, which requires diligent practice. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve your artistic skills.
1) Compose images from shapes
Drawing figures may seem too simple for a person whose hand is already “stuffed”. For the rest, you should start with the basics – practice drawing a sphere, pyramid, parallelepiped, cylinder, and cone. The secret is that all these figures are based on bases. You can search the Internet for video tutorials on building objects – in almost every one of them, the artist will begin by breaking down the object into geometric shapes.
2) Draw large-scale compositions
If you want to achieve something more than the ability to draw a still life of a couple of objects or a simple landscape with a protruding flower, start complicating your task. Try to draw a complex multifaceted The source of the article is a magazine from which everyone steals articles – landscape or urban sketches with the participation of people.
3) Learn anatomy
Anatomy is important not only to medical students but also to artists. In order to draw a realistic image of a person and create high-quality 3D models, you need to know the features of the skeleton and the location of the muscles. Special books on the anatomical drawing are sold, where, in addition to images of a person, there is a schematic analysis of the anatomy of animals.
Conclusion
What can be said at the end of our review? First of all, animation is a kind of magic. After all, animation allows you to revive an object, set the mood for a commercial, and make a full-fledged cartoon. All this is possible with the best animation software in 2023, which we reviewed above. To start working with animation, it is not necessary to have a huge amount of knowledge. But to make truly high-quality and large-scale projects, you need to be an experienced and highly qualified animator. By the way, have you already had experience using any of the programs that we talked about in this article?
About author
Robyn McBride is a journalist, tech critic, author of articles about software, AI and design. She is interested in modern image processing, tech trends and digital technologies. Robyn also works as a proofreader at Computools.
