Animation is a beautiful and high-tech art innovation that continues its advancement until this present time. It becomes people’s basis of standard quality when it comes to art.
From life to the lifeless, motion to the motionless, animation brings virtual reality into man’s dimension.
If you’re an artist who wants to level-up your art skills and create more compelling and dramatic artwork, you have to try the 2D animation.
In this article, we will be featuring the top 15 best 2d animation software. So better read until the end to reveal more exciting facts about 2d animation programs.
What is 2D Animation?
Basic Essential Facts
2D animation started in 1920’s when Emile Cohl made a short cartoon entitled Fantasmagorie. It was the very first time when animation was introduced to people.
The cartoon show instantly became a hit.
Walt Disney was also one of the pioneering cartoon movie companies that created 2D animated films. In the beginning, 2D animation is complex. It did not start as of how we have it today.
Although the result of cel-shading seems to have a simplistic feel, a 2D animation process may require some excellent skills.
2D Animation Today
The good news is, today, 2D animation becomes a lot easier to use. And with the help of the 2d animation programs available online, your animation work will be filled with fun and excitement.
You do not have to be an expert! What you need are the determination to create a 2D animated film and the best 2D animation software.
So here are some of the 2D animation programs that you might want to consider.
Top 15 Best 2D Animation Software
Benefits of 2D Animation
1. Adobe Animate CC
Adobe Animate CC allows an artist to interactive web-based content for games and ads.
They have powerful illustration and animation tools that will amazingly build game environments that will overwhelm any gamer out there.
Their design start screens and interfaces are made of high quality with cool audio integrations. So just imagine how cool is that? But here’s more.
Either you are a beginner or a pro, you can do all your asset design and coding right inside the app fast and easy.
2. Adobe Character Animator
With Adobe Character Animator, giving life to your animation characters is easy. One of the main strengths of this best 2d animation software is its ability to copy your facial movements.
This tool will enable your characters to act and react realistically. The software’s goal is to make art that imitates life.
Your animation project will surely be a head-turning, jaw-dropping animation. When it talks about the price, it’s as low as US$49.99/mo. Indeed, it’s all going to be worth it.
3. Autodesk SketchBook Pro
Do you love digital drawing so much? If you want to explore more with your talent, one of the best 2d animation software that you must try is the Autodesk SketchBook Pro.
It’s an essential tool for digital artists which is popularly known to many animators nowadays. Autodesk SketchBook Pro is for people with all skill levels.
Unlike other 2d animation programs, this one of a kind software adds depth to an image. Hence creating a more vibrant brush that will flawlessly make your artwork real and alive.
Autodesk SketchBook Pro is also offering free trial and subscription that will let you enjoy the software before finally spending your money on it.
4. CrazyTalk Animator
Additionally, with CrazyTalk Animator’s Elastic Motion effects, an image, logo, or prop will appear realistic without too much effort.
Also, this great software is built with 2D character templates and valuable motion libraries to create single control when animating.
But unlike the other best 2d animation software, CrazyTalk Animator is an award-winning company. So if you are after credibility, choose CrazyTalk Animator.
5. Anime Studio Pro v11
When it comes affordability and quality, the Anime Studio Pro v11 tops the list. This is one of the few best free 2d animation software today.
Anime Studio Pro v11 is specially designed for Flash-style animators. It also has an automatic lip-syncing function for better mouth movement of the character.
However, artists cannot do frame-by-frame drawn animation in this software. But, its bone system and inbetweening functions are cooler if you compare it to other 2D animation software.
Therefore, it’s something that you do not have to worry about.
6. Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Harmony is an award-winning 2D animation software. This fantastic software gives an extensive implementation of quality in art animation.
They help and assist starters to achieve the goal of perfection towards work. They also provide more aspiring artists the incredible opportunity to learn about top animation specializations.
When it comes to the services they offer, they offer great performances from significant animation companies to small studios.
So whether you are to produce movies, TV shows, games and advertisements, Toon Boom Harmony could be your smartest choice.
7. Express Animator
Creating animations, cartoons and presentations with sound and music are fast with the Express Animator software.
Express Animator cool and unique animation tools and features that will surely give you the excitement you’ve wanted.
You can download this software for free. They give a two-week trial with all features enabled. Therefore, before paying for it, you are already sure if this is what you need.
Express Animator can be saved in the Flash format (SWF). It’s viewable on a website or in Microsoft’s new Silverlight format.
8. CelAction 2D
CelAction 2D is one of the most powerful 2D animation in the world. It’s a popular choice among many leading animators today.
Because it benefits films, TV series and commercials, CelAction 2D continues to make noise in the animation industry.
This excellent software ensures quality state-of-the-art products. They amaze people with their realistic animated results.
Moreover, CelAction 2D allows audio samples simultaneously played which makes the exposure sheet for timing and lip-syncing a lot easier.
9. Crater Software’s CTP
Crater Software’s CTP is best for beginners.
If you are new to animation and you want to accomplish the entire production process from start to end without significant mistakes, this software is the best choice for you.
Crater Software’s CTP is not complicated.
All you need is a standard Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 7 computer and webcam or a simple scanner and a graphics tablet, and then you’re ready to go.
The video tutorials are straightforward to comprehend. This is the best software to use on your first try.
10. Spine
Spine is another excellent 2D animation software. It is best used for the game and software development.
Like any other good 2D animation software, Spine will give life to your artwork. It’s primary features and functions makes it a user-friendly 2D animation tool.
But, even if you are an expert, this software has a lot in store for you. Try and explore what you can get from this Spine. You will surely enjoy it.
11. TVPaint Animation
Are you having trouble with finding the right 2d animation software for you? If you simply cannot decide what software is the best to use, well, try the TVPaint Animation.
TVPaint Animation offers traditional techniques of hand-drawn tools and animation features. Their drawing and painting tools are really extensive helping you create the highest quality of animated characters.
Also, if you want to use styles like watercolor, gouache, and felt-tip, TVPaint Animation have them all for you.
12. Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio Synfig fits all types of animators because it supports a multitude of layers of various animation types.
These are the geometric, gradients, filters, distortions, transformations, fractal that provide extensive animation tools and features for better and higher quality of animated characters and audio.
13. Retas!Pro
Retas!Pro has a series and various animation services that you cannot find in other leading 2D animation software.
They also offer handy services to make your work fast and easy. You can do the managing and exporting works without any fear of committing huge mistakes.
Backing up to the cloud, downloading a wide variety of materials and accessing a range is also provided. The entire course will never bore you.
So choosing this software can be a good decision to make.
14. Toonz from Digital Video
Toonz from Digital Video is a popular choice among many famous animators. It is used by many professional animation studios because of its excellent animation tools and software.
Toons has two main products. The Toonz Harlequin and Toonz Bravo.
Although there are differences, both software allows you to create animation work and bring its quality to the next level.
15. Spriter
Spriter is a basic 2D animation software. However, despite the simplicity of its tools and features, it is one of the best 2d animation software today.
When it comes to creating optimized and flexible modular 2D, Spriter is a good choice. Animators and designers find Spriter very easy to use when animating games.
If you want a smooth and professional looking animation, be smart and choose Spriter.
Best 2d Animation Software
It’s Worth and Efficiency
2D and 3D animations continue to amaze people nowadays. It’s one of the modern technology’s most significant advancement.
But, we should all remember that the entertainment comes from the creativity, intelligence, skills, and passions of the artist.