As an animator, you have many tools available in the market, but you can’t master them all—a jack of all trades, master of none. There’s quite a catch, but. You need to know enough about all the tools available to choose the right one for you. Since the tool you decide to master will carve your future path. Most Animation Classes in Pune will teach you about all of the tools in the market, but what you choose to master is your ultimate choice. This blog will highlight the tools available in the market and how you can select the tool you want to master
1. Blender
Ask any animator about the best market-ready tool to learn, and they will recommend Blender. It is a widely popular tool. It is free and open-source software that allows one to make 3D animations and runs on most operating systems. Professional animators love working on Blender because it’s open-source and can used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D-printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, virtual reality, and video games.
2. Krita
Krita is another free and open-source tool for designing digital art and 2D animation. Animators generally prefer this software when they are dealing with 2D frame-to-frame animations. The main USP of this software is that the artists have designed it for the artists. Accordingly, it has a very intuitive interface. Animators can navigate the software easily and make great animations.
3. Adobe Animate
Adobe has been the leader in the category when creating visuals. The same is the case for animation. For over a decade, Adobe Animate has been used for interactive animations, web content, and television vector graphics. And tools by Adobe are known to set the standards for the industry. That is why animators prefer to use Adobe Animate for 2D animations and web-based projects.
4. Pencil2D
One can say that Pencil2D is a learning tool. It is a classic hand-drawn animation tool. Pencil2D allows animators to create animation with plain hand drawings. It can be marked as the first step in a great artist’s journey into the world of animation. Beginner animators can use this because of its intuitive user interface. Another plus factor is the simplicity and the lightweightedness of the software.
5. Toon Boom Harmony
Harmony is a sub-product under Toon Boom Animation, a corporation providing animation software used by the best animation studios worldwide. Animators can directly work on professional-level 2D animations because Harmony is used in professional studios for real-world live projects. The Toon Boom Harmony software is a complex studio software, but beginner animators can get their hands dirty on the beginner-friendly versions.
6. Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio (or just Synfig as most people refer to it) is a free and open-source vector-based 2D animation software. Synfig has been known for a long time for being used in creating characters in animated movies. The main reason most animation studios use this software is because it’s open-source. Various tutorials are available when you want to learn something new from the tool.
7. Autodesk Maya
Maya is one tool that has significance close to Blender. It is a cross-platform tool for creating 3D computer graphics applications. It’s generally used in 3D applications, video games, animated films, TV series, and visual effects to create high-end 3D animations and modeling. It’s the industry staple for animation studios. Another advantage of Maya to specifically students is that it offers them educational and skill development licenses.
Choosing The Right Software
1. Budget:
Some tools mentioned here are paid, and others are free. You might need to consider the budget in your hand. Blender, Krita, and Pencil2D are free and open-source software, so you don’t need to worry about the budget. Meanwhile, tools like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, and Autodesk Maya are paid, so you might need to review their different pricing plans.
2. Animation Style:
Do you want to go with 2D or 3D animation? Where Pencil2D, Synfig Studio, and Adobe Animate offer you enough freedom for 2D animations, Blender and Autodesk Maya can assist you in working with 3D animation projects.
3. Ease of Use & Learning Curve:
Pencil2D and Krita have a very intuitive user interface, so you can just download and navigate the software. But Toon Boom Harmony and Blender are complex, and it might take time to understand them completely. Learning resources are another factor to consider. Software like Blender and Krita have many free structured tutorials available. Still, you would have to extensively use a lot of manual effort and money to learn software like Harmony and Adobe Animate.
4. Goals:
Do you want to keep it just a passion, or do you want to make a professional career in animation? The answer to this question will also influence your software choice. For instance, choose Pencil2D and Krita for passion projects, but learn Blender and Adobe Animate for a successful career.
5. System Requirements:
Some tools require potent computers and GPUs to function. 3D tools like Blender and Autodesk Maya require a powerful computer with a good GPU to work smoothly. However, if you plan to use Synfig Studio and Pencil2D, there’s no need to invest in a high-end computer; your usual laptop or desktop can handle the 2D load easily.
Conclusion
The choice of tool will not just come to you objectively. There are a lot of subjective hit-and-trials that go behind choosing animation software. In the end, you decide what works best for you. So, try and test. Sometimes, you must decide to use multiple tools for specific project demands. If you plan to join an Animation Institute in Pune like Frameboxx 2.0, it will help you conclude. But no matter your chosen tool, the goal will always be to flex your creative animation muscle