In this golden era of technology, we have found unique ways to express our emotions, feelings, and ideas. However, these technological advancements have also led to a reduced attention span. With so much information to take in, it’s hard to stay focused. So, how can a brand retain its image in front of its target audience? Animation is a type of video that can capture the attention of both small children and adults. It surely catches the eye of all age groups with its appealing nature.
In this article, we will discuss about
- 2D animations
- Top free 2D animation software
Brands can leverage 2D animation for their marketing campaigns, using impressive motion techniques and storytelling to create a lasting impression. Through effective storytelling, branding materials, and brand stories can be conveyed in a fun and engaging manner. In this article, I’ve included a list of free 2D animation software for beginners and animators alike.
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What is a 2D Animation Video?
Animation can be considered an integral part of graphic design, leaning more towards the realm of motion graphics. When someone needs to depict a story through graphics and movement, they utilize animation. Brands utilize animated graphics to convey their brand story or market their products and services through entertaining and engaging videos. This can capture the attention of their target audience in an amusing way, making 2D animation an excellent choice for branding and marketing campaigns.
Animation is simply a series of pictures that move within a timeframe. It creates a motion effect starting from a single movement in one image to successive movements in subsequent images. This creates an illusion of swift action when showcased at a fast pace. When the human brain processes this, it perceives it as a moving motion picture or animation. Another interesting fact is that our human eye can only grasp an image for one-tenth of a second, leading our brain to process a series of images showcased in a fast sequence as a single movement.
As children, we were often amused by characters like Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney animations. This is how animators create 2D animations that leave a lasting impact on our memory and brain. The traditional way of animation takes animators drawing each frame on celluloid sheets, known as 2D animation. Now, 2D animation can be created with the best paid or free 2D animation software available, which can be utilized by graphic designers or animators.
Some technological advances have also led to the invention of 3D animations, offering higher quality and crisper imagery. Whether a brand prefers 2D or 3D animation, it’s equally important to know that both types have a unique appeal that caters to audience emotions compared to flat or vector illustrations.
10 Best Free 2D Animation Software
Here are the top free animation software we’ve rounded up and made a list of. There’s free and on-demand software in this list.
1. OpenToonz
OpenToonz is one of the best 2D animation software used by professional graphic designers or animators. This platform was once called “Toonz” and was utilized in some Princess Mononoke cuts. The software offers a wide range of tools for raster animation and vector animation as well. Users can also use this tool for digital compositions, color designs, and ink or paint. OpenToonz features a bone rigging system that helps simplify character animation for designers. It’s free and open-source software that can be utilized for free and customized by users.
2. Pencil2D
Pencil2D is a simple, easy-to-use 2D animation software. It was developed by Pascal Naidon and Patrick Corrieri in 2005. Initially named Pencil, the founders abandoned it, and another animator, Matthew Chang, improved and relaunched it as Pencil2D. For beginners in animation, this is a perfect practice tool. The software provides beginner tutorials and manuals that explain how to use it, and it also requests animation projects to help users understand how to utilize Pencil2D. It features a simple and very user-friendly interface that offers all the basic tools for drawing, illustrating, and animating. Additionally, you can also select sound for your animations with this software. Pencil2D is free and open-source software compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
3. Animaker
Animaker is a powerful 2D animation software known for its user-friendly interface and affordability. It offers a variety of templates, pre-built characters, and other tools to help beginner animators create professional animations quickly. Created by RS Raghavan in 2014, Animaker has evolved into a cloud-based AI-powered video and animation platform. It is popular among animation enthusiasts, boasting 10 million users who have collectively created 20 million videos. Animaker features a vast library of assets, including texts, backgrounds, and music tracks for every project.
However, the free version of the software only allows users to create two customized characters per month, with the ability to download five HD animated videos. The drawback of the free version is the presence of a watermark in downloaded videos. Therefore, upgrading to their monthly premium plans, which are quite affordable compared to other premium software options, is advisable.
4. Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is another useful and feature-rich 2D animation software. It was created by professional animator Robert Quattlebaum along with Adrian Bentley. This tool serves as an alternative to manual tweening and can be utilized by animators to create high-quality animations for branding campaigns. Synfig Studio offers a variety of tools, including both vector and bitmap animation capabilities. It also features a bone system that simplifies complex character animation. Being free and open-source, Synfig Studio is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
5. Krita
Krita is one of the powerful 2D animation software tools that artists frequently use. It is renowned for its capabilities in texturing, creating concept art, logo, custom illustrations, comics, and more. Matthias Ettrich originally created Krita in 1998, aiming to demonstrate how simple it was to hack a Qt GUI involving an exciting app. However, this endeavor was never published, leading him to develop his image editor application, which he named Krita. With Krita, you can create beautiful and influential animations from scratch. Since 2009, Krita has focused more on painting, attracting concept artists, illustrators, comic artists, and cartoonists to its platform. Krita is free and open-source software compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
6. Blender
Blender is a trending 2D animation software launched in 2021. Created with a mission to provide the best 3D CG technology to artists, it is free open-source software. Blender has created a new space for animators and designers to utilize open-source animation tools to create 3D and 2D content without obstacles. By 2023, Blender announced Blender 3.0, with its previous version simply being Blender Foundation. Creatives can now easily leverage this platform for educational and commercial purposes, creating animations with compelling stories. The best part is that the platform offers modeling features like sculpting, curves, and retopology, along with a customizable interface for user experience.
7. Animation Paper
Animation Paper is a 2D software platform created by Krogh Mortensen. With 30 years of experience in the industry, he aimed to develop the best software for hand-drawn animation. Initially, he founded Plastic Animation Paper but found that this 2D animation tool didn’t meet his expectations, leading him to close it. The renovated platform now features a customizable speed dial and toolbar for accessing functions, providing real-time zooming and rotation for users. Users are excited about its fast responsiveness in every motion and high-quality lines that are demo with no degradation. Animation Paper is currently beloved by filmmakers, game developers, and professional animators.
8. Powtoon
Powtoon is a unique cloud-based animation software that is popular among users. It is a free animation software that assists in creating explainer videos, presentations, and animation you want for brands. With a wide range of templates, characters, and backgrounds available, users can customize their characters, sets, props, and scenes using the Powtoon editor. Powtoon is suitable for beginners in animation as well as professional designers.
9. Clara.io
Clara.io is a 3D modeling and 3D animation software that offers both free and premium versions. Users can create, animate, and generate 2D content with this platform. It features a user-friendly interface and a wide range of tools for creating complex animations, including keyframe animation, morphing, and more. Keyframes are used to describe the character or object’s state at specific points, such as size, position, or color. Clara.io is popular among top animators due to its friendly user interface and robust features.
10. Plastic Animation Paper
Plastic Animation Paper is one of the best free 2D animation software options available. It offers a range of tools for creating simple animations with a user-friendly interface. The software features a timeline interface and provides tools for drawing, animating, and adding sound to your animations. Specifically designed for students, filmmakers, professional animators, and game developers, this software is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
To Wrap Up
Animation videos can strategically help brands gain credibility and increase brand recall. It’s a more convenient way to connect emotionally with audiences. Animated videos have revolutionized existing marketing ideas and are considered powerful tools to engage with audiences. It’s essential to choose the right animation software to create influential, impactful, and awesome animations for your brand story.
For beginners in animation, it can be a struggle to find the right animation software. With so many options available online, it can be hard to pick one. If you’re looking for a professional graphic designer, you can always connect with Graphically.io. We would help provide you with unlimited graphic design services.
FAQ
Which software is best for 2D animation free?
There are a lot of software options in the market that provide access to free 2D animation services. Some of the best free 2D animation software includes:
– Pencil2D
– OpenToonz
– Animaker
– Animation Paper
– Krita
– And more
Is OpenToonz really free?
OpenToonz is an animation software for designers. It is an open-source software, which can be utilized for free and customized by users.
