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Are you on the hunt for a free 2D animation software to create kickass cartoon videos? You’ve come to the right place! More than 1,000,000 people use Animaker. We have the perfect tool to make your dreams come true! Plastic Animation Paper is a simple, effective and one of the best 2D animation software to create animation or cartoon in 2D. It provides many useful features, such as: drawing area, insert color in drawing, set frame rate, zooming feature, add music, etc. Free 2D animation software is a great tool for you to create hand drawing animation. In this article, you will learn 10 best 2D animation software for beginners and professionals. Open-source 2D Animation Software. Synfig is a free and open-source software licensed under GNU GPL v3. The sources are available on GitHub. Jan 18, 2018 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. Note: Some of them has free trial version, but they are still considered free. 2D Animation Software. Adobe AfterEffects. Adobe After Effects is a digital motion graphics and compositing software published by Adobe Systems, used in the post-production process of filmmaking and television production. Its main uses are the origination of 2D.
In today’s environment, free animation software is widely accessible for the average video animator looking to create animations. Designers, educators, trainers and even marketers have realized the real value of creating animated videos as one of the key means of increasing audience engagement.
Sep 11,2019• Proven solutions
When you are trying to make funny cartoons, explainer videos, or informative shorts to post online, 2D animation software can come in handy. With access to a 2D animation maker, you can create intricate and interesting stories that will help you connect with your audience.
Whether you are teaching a group of kids, showing employees how to do their job, introducing a new product, or trying to elicit an emotional reaction from your audience, 2D cartoon animation can be very useful.
If you are new to the world of 2D animation as a beginner and want to be a professional animation maker, you will be interested in our review of the top 10 free download 2D animation software options that may prove useful to you.
Recommend free download animation maker FilmoraPro
If you want to create an animation video, we recommend using 2D animation software FilmoraPro. Why do you need to use FilmoraPro to make 2D animation?
- Keyframing helps you quickly make animation
- Auto color correction to make animation video perfect
- You can make smooth 2D animation
FilmoraPro is a powerful and straightforward animation video editor to make a 2D animation video. You can customize the workplace to make it comfortable while editing.
From start to finish, you can make animation within 7 steps, so don't worry about it is too difficult to start. Just free download it to have a try!
Here are 10 best free download 2D animation software for you to have a look.
- Synfig
- Opentoonz
- Maefloresta
- Pencil 2D
- Toon Boom Harmony
- CelAction2D
- Moho (Anime Studio) Pro
- Stop Motion Studio
- FlipBook
- Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator
Part 1: Best Free 2D Animation Software for Beginners
1.Synfig
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows, Linux and OSX
Pro: It offers more than 50 layers to make simple or advanced animation, so you don't need to worry about its limitation though it is free to use.
Con: Few tutorials are available in the market to start making animation for beginners.
Synfig Studio is an open-source free 2D animation software that is the perfect place for beginners to learn about 2D animation. There are two versions available for free download - stable and testing.
The testing version has some experimental features if users want to try those ahead of their introduction into the stable release.
Features:
- Supports multiple layers of content
- The bone system allows for the creation of cutout animations from bitmap images
- Has sound support to allow for the addition and syncing of narration and/or music to the video
2.Opentoonz
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows and OSX
Pro: You can use a plug in to make beautiful animation effects automatically without further editing.
Con: The UI design it outdated compared with other animation software, but it won't affect user experience.
Based on the Toonz software, Opentoonz is the best free alternative that will help you create 2D animated content. Anyone can use the software, free of charge and download.
And users can modify the source code to add specific features to this simple animation software.
Features:
- GTS scanning tool
- Ability to change picture styles
- Add distortion and light effects
- Compatible with black and white and colored scans
3.Maefloresta
Price: Free
Compatibility: iPhone and Android
Pro: It is free to use with easy to start the introduction, even for kids.
Con: You need to email its staff to get the installer online, which is inconvenient sometimes.
The beauty of the Maefloresta app is that you can use your Android or iOS tablet and smartphone to create free 2D animated videos.
There is no need to pay for expensive software if you just want to create some fun videos to show your friends. It also offers school solutions for teachers and students.
Features:
- The free downloadable app that works on smartphones and tablets
- Easy animation software with tutorials
- Intuitive interface that beginners can use with ease
4.Pencil 2D
Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows, Linux and OSX
Pro: It offers English, Spanish and Portuguese language tutorials to use.
Con: It doesn't support shapes tool. If you like to make shapes and draw something, you'd be disappointed.
Want an open source and free 2D animation design software to help you create videos? Pencil2D animation is the type of program that can help beginners.
You can get to grips with how 2D animation works, and you can create some very fun and interesting videos along the way.
Features:
- Minimalist design to let you make animation easily
- Raster and vector workflow switching
- Cross-platform compatibility to free download
Part 2: Best Professional 2D Animation Software
5.Toon Boom Harmony
Price: The first 21 days of using the product are free. After the 21 days are up, you will need to pay $109 per month.
Compatibility: Windows, Linux and OSX
Pro: You can make 2D and 3D animation both with models.
Con: It may take some time to learn how to make 2D animation for beginners.
Whether you are trying to create an art piece, showcase a story through 2D images, or craft a unique message for your audience, Toon Boom Harmony will help you immensely.
This professional 2D animation software may take time to learn, but it is worth using. It has bitmap and vector tools for creating art, 3D imported models for hybrid productions, and the option to create multiplane scenes with Z-depth.
For more information in the top 10 review.
Features:
- Revolutionary vector and bitmap drawing technology - Brush Engine
- Advanced color palettes and painting options
- 2D and 3D integration to make professional animation
- Cut-out animation tools
- Traditional paperless animation.
6.CelAction2D
Price: If you go with the Studio Edition, it costs $1,300 to obtain a single license to use the product for a lifetime. Studio Edition is $1300 for one single license
Compatibility: Windows, Linux and OSX
Pro: It is fast to use with low system requirements.
Con: You can draw animation in itself, so you need to import all words from third party software.
Want to create unique and complex 2D animations for your upcoming projects? CelAction2D is the type of product that is going to help you create wonderful and professional animations.
While getting a full license is a financial commitment, you are getting a product that has all the features that you could need.
You can create a palette using up to 16 million colors, and you will have a very easy time getting to grips with the way the software works.
It is designed for beginners and intermediate users, but still has all the advanced features that a pro would want.
Features:
- Easy and fast to use for professional users
- Features ergonomic controls
- Easily handles complex projects with thousands of layers
- Works with all modern Windows machines - 32 and 64-bit Also work with Macs through Boot Camp
- The multiplane camera features to let you have more controls
7.Moho (Anime Studio) Pro
Price: $399.99 for the full package.
Compatibility: Windows and OSX
Pro: Its update is regular with advanced and newest features to use.
Con: It is not user friendly for beginners as the functions are too advanced a little bit.
Anime Studio Pro is a fantastic option for anyone who is looking to get into professional 2D animation creation. It is affordable and designed for Flash-style animations.
While you cannot create frame-by-frame animations using this program, you will be able to create some fantastic videos nonetheless.
There is an Anime Studio Debut - simple animation software, which is targeted towards the beginner user and free download. But if you want all the features of a high-end 2D animation software, you will want to go with the Pro version.
Features:
- Enhanced freehand drawing tools
- Beizer handles to make it easier for you to design your videos the way that you want
- Smart warp feature helps create custom meshes to bend and twist your animations
- Realistic motion blur
- Animation for multiple layers at the same time
8.Stop Motion Studio
Price: $59.99 to download the software onto your PC.
Compatibility: Windows, OSX, Android and iOS
Pro: You can use build-in sound to make your animation unique. You can also record voice and use it on the video.
Con: You can only use it to make 2D stop motion animation.
Want to create fun, 2D animated videos? Hoping to impress your bosses with a 2D animated presentation to highlight a product’s features?
Using Stop Motion Studio will help you achieve all that you want in the world of 2D animation.
2d Cartoon Animation software, free download
You can capture content with ease, whether you change up the focus, exposure or white balance. There is DSLR support, so you can use your high end camera in conjunction with this professional software.
And with a unique, frame-by-frame editor, you will be able to get the result that you want for your 2D stop animation movie.
Features:
- Onionskin allows you to view previous frames through a transparent overlay, which helps you create your next frame
- Comes with Chroma key and audio recording to better narrate and add voice effects to your videos
- Easy one-click uploading to YouTube and Facebook
- DSLR camera support for creating perfect 1080p recordings
9.FlipBook
Price: $19.99 for FlipBook Lite, $49.99 for FlipBook Studio, $149.99 for FlipBook Pro, $199.99 for FlipBook ProHD
Compatibility: Windows and OSX
Pro: From drawing, scanning to sound, this 2D animation software can make you powerful video.
Con: You can't use it to make subtle changing as bone rigging is not available.
FlipBook is easy to use for beginners and pros who want to improve the editing experience. It is a powerful video editor that you can make 2D animation with various functions like syncing sound with animation, scanning cells and more.
If you like to make a cartoon videos like a pro, this 2D animation maker is best for you. It is free to download.
Features:
- Changes will be made while you change the animation, so FlipBook is fast to use
- You can use the shift key to make speed painting once you select one color
- 10 layers in animation for adding extra touches
- You can use a scanner to import images
10.Reallusion CrazyTalk Animator
Price: USD199 for the pipeline, USD99 for pro.
Compatibility: Windows and OSX
Pro: You can always find the feature you like for beginners and professionals. You can control characters even in expression level.
Con: It integrates with PhotoShop to import and export video.
CrazyTalk is a 2D animation maker for professional users, so you can use this one if you don't know which one to use. It supports controlling characters with your expression and lip-syncing. It is popular among YouTubers, educators and marketers.
Features:
- Capture real time facial expression with precise changing
- Black magic to turn the image to a moving cartoon
- For advanced users, you can make 2D visual effects
2d Animation Maker Free Online
Price: USD199 for pipeline, USD99 for pro.
Conclusion
Creating a 2D animation video is a lot easier when you have the right software available to you. You already have a script and storyboard in mind, but now you can realize your vision in intricate and unique ways.
If you want to make 3D animation, there are also various 3D animation software options for you. If any one of the products above will serve you well, you could use FilmoraPro.
2d Cartoon Animation Software Free
Easy-to-use and powerful video editor for all creators.
Bring up your video to a professional level with straightforward tools.
3d Cartoon Animation Software Free
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