What is some good animation software?

WallpaperPerson said:

I need some good animation software that is free to use, i can draw and have a tablet but can draw with mouse too. If you can help me, thanks!

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Honestly? If you can draw try animating with a pencil and paper. It'll be very satisfying and a great way to learn the principles of animation - squash, stretch, exageration etc.

If you do want to animate with a 2D software package, i've seen great things done with Pencil: http://www.pencil-animation.org/

I would have to agree with Fluidedge, pencil and paper is a very good starting point.

But if you have to go digital then I'd recommend either Flash (because of the IK and bones feature) and Toon Boom.

I have seen some very good things done with Anime Studio. It is a 2d animation program, with bones. Check out this forum for good discussions by users:

http://www.lostmarble.com/forum/

There is a limited feature version available for $50 and the full version for $200. There is a 30 day trial available as well.

This company Hash inc, produces Animation Master, very easy to use program

http://www.hash.com/2007web/

People are doing amazing things with Blender.

We are speaking here about 2D traditional animation (software), if I understand correctly. Blender is for 3D.

2D is:
- Anime Studio series
- Toon Boom products
- Pencil (free, opensource) - personally do I recommend it
- Synfig (free, opensource)

and some others

I use flash alot. but i wish i would have started doing toon boom. cause yea, thats what the pros use.

What do they use to do Spongebob?

Good software suggested here. You can even look for some of them available online.

I use Flash currently have done for years. It's all I'm familiar with. I do mostly fbf mixed with symbol loops and motion tweens, can someone suggest anything better? I really need to streamline my work, I work with dozens of layers and it's hard to keep track of everything.

Blender

You should use blender although it does take a while to make, but it can also be made to make games its for Mac and PC . You should use it trust me I'm even making a game with if want to download it go here

http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/

and go here if you want to learn how to use it there are Live tutorials now and again

http://blenducation.org/wordpress/

the op appears to be after 2D animation software not 3D which blender does

no.1 Apple Fan said:

What do they use to do Spongebob?

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If I'm correct, they are using Toon Boom Solo or Harmony.

There is also Toon Boom Animate and Animate Pro with advanced skeleton structures. These two are much cheaper than the first two.

no.1 Apple Fan said:

What do they use to do Spongebob?

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ToomBoom Studio

Yes Blender is primarily 3D however it can definitely be used for 2D as well.

For example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTPAvY4y0pY&feature=player_embedded#t=22

http://www.blendernation.com/brendas-poisonous-pastime/

http://www.blendernation.com/blender-2d-animation-rig/

http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=77196

http://vimeo.com/2437478

There are few well known 2D commercials done using blender but I can't remember them at the moment.

south park is done in maya these days.

Maybe I am a little dense here ... (smile)

and from another generation (smile). 20 some years ago i had animation basics [aka by hand] at a local community college. I have used GIF Builder which is a pretty decent starter program from time to time. But what I need now is a animation program that can interpret mouse clicks and simple (I stress simple) call commands for the next animation to be presented.

In this need I am not talking so much about game building [though it will lead to that ] but more in the direction of a GUI interface development. My programming background is limited to 'BASIC language' from the mid-1970's.

Any suggestions folks? Thanks for your assistance.

MstrPBK
St. Paul, MN USA

P.S. I got an A in that animation class by the way ...