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What is the best software/app to use for animation that doesn't cost a lot of money?
I want to get better at making animations but I only have the version of CSP that limits the amount of frames I can make.
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6 answers
Updated
Chardonnay’s Answer
Hi,
If you are looking for free, cheap, or a one time purchase, I'd recommend:
Pencil2D, it's basica in some aspects but it is also very handy. It's a bit intimidating at first but after some fiddling, it's a great little software. Open source.
Krita, I'm sure you know this one. Same thing, a little basic but for personal use or team use, it's really nice. Some of the layout and understanding how it works can take a minute. I found it similar to if AdobeAnimate actually worked.
Blendr, I have tried the grease pencil. I've seen some awesome animation done with it.
CSP is a one time purchase. If you want more, try to get version 1 or 2, on sale. I'm not sure if they are doing version one anymore but, those are a few.
I know people used opentoonz, but I am not familiar with that one either.
If you are looking for free, cheap, or a one time purchase, I'd recommend:
Pencil2D, it's basica in some aspects but it is also very handy. It's a bit intimidating at first but after some fiddling, it's a great little software. Open source.
Krita, I'm sure you know this one. Same thing, a little basic but for personal use or team use, it's really nice. Some of the layout and understanding how it works can take a minute. I found it similar to if AdobeAnimate actually worked.
Blendr, I have tried the grease pencil. I've seen some awesome animation done with it.
CSP is a one time purchase. If you want more, try to get version 1 or 2, on sale. I'm not sure if they are doing version one anymore but, those are a few.
I know people used opentoonz, but I am not familiar with that one either.
Updated
Ted’s Answer
Hi Nghi,
Check out Blender at https://www.blender.org/. It's a powerful FREE tool for 3D animation. You'll find plenty of easy tutorials on YouTube to help you get started. Have fun and good luck!
Check out Blender at https://www.blender.org/. It's a powerful FREE tool for 3D animation. You'll find plenty of easy tutorials on YouTube to help you get started. Have fun and good luck!
Updated
Wyatt s’s Answer
Greetings Nghi,
I would recommend trying out Stop Motion Studio from cateater. I am going to be playing a lot with this myself here soon. From what I've seen of it, it's fantastic, and you could do animation so many different ways with it. I want to try stop motion animation again myself. I haven't done it since I was very young and I've worked as an Animator for about 20 years now. Be creative, have fun, and tell good stories. I'm sure you can do that with whatever software/s you end up choosing.
- Wyatt
I would recommend trying out Stop Motion Studio from cateater. I am going to be playing a lot with this myself here soon. From what I've seen of it, it's fantastic, and you could do animation so many different ways with it. I want to try stop motion animation again myself. I haven't done it since I was very young and I've worked as an Animator for about 20 years now. Be creative, have fun, and tell good stories. I'm sure you can do that with whatever software/s you end up choosing.
- Wyatt
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Nghi,
If you're looking to move beyond Clip Studio Paint's animation limits without incurring high costs, consider exploring Blender for its impressive 2D/3D capabilities with the Grease Pencil tool, or try Krita for a free and straightforward approach to hand-drawn animations. For a more adventurous option, OpenToonz offers Studio Ghibli-inspired features, while Synfig Studio and Pencil2D provide excellent open-source solutions for vector and traditional animations. Hope this helps!
If you're looking to move beyond Clip Studio Paint's animation limits without incurring high costs, consider exploring Blender for its impressive 2D/3D capabilities with the Grease Pencil tool, or try Krita for a free and straightforward approach to hand-drawn animations. For a more adventurous option, OpenToonz offers Studio Ghibli-inspired features, while Synfig Studio and Pencil2D provide excellent open-source solutions for vector and traditional animations. Hope this helps!
Rebeca Ferrari
2D Artist and Animation Student
2
Answers
Updated
Rebeca’s Answer
Oiee,
Personally I like a lot Clip Studio Paint EX, you can purchase a one year subscription and it has all the updated tools and you can animate how many frames you want.
A free recommendation it's Krita, an amazing animation program that even tough it has less features it won't stop you from creating whatever animation you want.
Another free software is OpenToonz, this one is used by many anime producers but it's a little difficult to learn (there's only a few tutorials). In the matter of features the software has a lot of interesting and helpfull ones which definitely makes it worth to try.
Here are some tutorials of yt I would also recommend take a look at:
__CLIP STUDIO PAINT EX__
✦ https://youtu.be/7jmrUpEFpRc?si=-UHdOPD7DFZfWq4P (Dong Chang Complete CSPEX Animation Tutorial)
✦ https://youtu.be/wXNREbcJG6Q?si=tQz87T_x6JtqGDXH (NobleFrugal Studio CSP Begginer Tutorial)
__KRITA__
✦ https://youtu.be/oXMCmiT_wxA?si=FbJICqX3WRI4dBDk (Winged Canvas Krita Basics)
✦ https://youtu.be/NbNQmE6WPK0?si=vusHEL-xLhSRt4bS (Sociamix Complete Krita Tutorial)
__OPENTOONZ__
✦ https://youtu.be/lTwMjbD2adQ?si=VFIKcfTQRWQ3zJYo (Dong Chang OpenToonz Tutorial)
✦ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqazFFzUAPc6if6lKp2Z5sDKcvVND0cP-&si=TE1NGZOSO6FoOe4I (TJ FREE Full Open Toonz Course)
Hope it helps in some way, have a blessed journey!
Shibartwork
Personally I like a lot Clip Studio Paint EX, you can purchase a one year subscription and it has all the updated tools and you can animate how many frames you want.
A free recommendation it's Krita, an amazing animation program that even tough it has less features it won't stop you from creating whatever animation you want.
Another free software is OpenToonz, this one is used by many anime producers but it's a little difficult to learn (there's only a few tutorials). In the matter of features the software has a lot of interesting and helpfull ones which definitely makes it worth to try.
Here are some tutorials of yt I would also recommend take a look at:
__CLIP STUDIO PAINT EX__
✦ https://youtu.be/7jmrUpEFpRc?si=-UHdOPD7DFZfWq4P (Dong Chang Complete CSPEX Animation Tutorial)
✦ https://youtu.be/wXNREbcJG6Q?si=tQz87T_x6JtqGDXH (NobleFrugal Studio CSP Begginer Tutorial)
__KRITA__
✦ https://youtu.be/oXMCmiT_wxA?si=FbJICqX3WRI4dBDk (Winged Canvas Krita Basics)
✦ https://youtu.be/NbNQmE6WPK0?si=vusHEL-xLhSRt4bS (Sociamix Complete Krita Tutorial)
__OPENTOONZ__
✦ https://youtu.be/lTwMjbD2adQ?si=VFIKcfTQRWQ3zJYo (Dong Chang OpenToonz Tutorial)
✦ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqazFFzUAPc6if6lKp2Z5sDKcvVND0cP-&si=TE1NGZOSO6FoOe4I (TJ FREE Full Open Toonz Course)
Hope it helps in some way, have a blessed journey!
Shibartwork
Updated
Jaime’s Answer
Hello Nghi,
From my shaped experience in 2D animation, especially as an art kid who had grown up with less than a handful of cash to spend on the apps and programs being used by others around me-- experiencing every free app and program, and testing the waters is a must. The first few that come to mind on the app side of things are Flip-A-Clip, which allows an ample amount of frames, FPS settings, tweening tools, and varied brushes. Adobe Fresco too, has a variety of brushes, pen settings, FPS settings, and works the same as many other paid softwares in the Adobe Catalog. Krita, Medibang Paint Pro, and Procreate are some others I can name just from experience, Krita being the lone soldier in it being isolated to just desktop. All of them allow you full FPS, brush, and canvas control, without having to pay more than a minimum $10 when it comes down to it-- and very proactive for beginner animation. Always remember that your animation doesn't require all the expensive software when you are first breaking into the scene, or learning the ropes. Like many other creative endeavors it's something gradual. You set your own pace, and when and if the time comes to upgrade to something like the Adobe Creative Cloud catalog of animation software, or a one time hefty purchase of Clip Studio Paint EX, you'll manage it with way more experience on your belt, which will make animating on there loads easier.
From my shaped experience in 2D animation, especially as an art kid who had grown up with less than a handful of cash to spend on the apps and programs being used by others around me-- experiencing every free app and program, and testing the waters is a must. The first few that come to mind on the app side of things are Flip-A-Clip, which allows an ample amount of frames, FPS settings, tweening tools, and varied brushes. Adobe Fresco too, has a variety of brushes, pen settings, FPS settings, and works the same as many other paid softwares in the Adobe Catalog. Krita, Medibang Paint Pro, and Procreate are some others I can name just from experience, Krita being the lone soldier in it being isolated to just desktop. All of them allow you full FPS, brush, and canvas control, without having to pay more than a minimum $10 when it comes down to it-- and very proactive for beginner animation. Always remember that your animation doesn't require all the expensive software when you are first breaking into the scene, or learning the ropes. Like many other creative endeavors it's something gradual. You set your own pace, and when and if the time comes to upgrade to something like the Adobe Creative Cloud catalog of animation software, or a one time hefty purchase of Clip Studio Paint EX, you'll manage it with way more experience on your belt, which will make animating on there loads easier.