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WallpaperPerson

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 4, 2008
73
0
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!
 
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!

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 :D] 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 ...
 
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