Transitioning from traditional to digital arts requires not only skill but also help from some of the tools for animators. Not only that, but if you are new in this creative field, digital animation or drawing will be similar, from sketching, coloring, etc., but it will be easier with the help of these animation tools.
If you’re a novice or an animator aiming to get more technical with your work, this list might be what you’re searching for. It can be difficult to catch up on or even start using the various animation tools available. Inversely, this could make it easier for competition to overtake you—talent is important, but so is what you do with it.
So, let’s cut to the chase: here are the seven types of digital animation tools to ensure your animation is thoroughly planned and polished.
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1. Drawing and Illustration Software
Creating concept art, character designs, and storyboards are just a few things animators may be tasked with, which can be completed with the help of drawing and illustration software. These tools allow animators to visualise their ideas and lay the groundwork for their animation process.
Top 7 Drawing and Illustration Tools:
1. Adobe Photoshop: A versatile tool for animators for the detailed editing and compositions of illustrations.
2. Affinity Designer: Unlike the aforementioned apps, Affinity Designer combines vector and raster design capabilities for the creation of versatile artwork.
3. Clip Studio Paint: Excellent for frame-by-frame animation and detailed character art—this tool for animators' usage also extends to general illustration and comic-making.
4. Corel Painter: This animation tool or drawing tool is known to offer realistic simulations for traditional-style art.
5. Krita: An open-source option of animation tools primarily built for digital painting and animation.
6. Procreate: With a user-friendly interface, Procreate is a raster graphics editor app for digital painting.
7. Sketchbook: Simple and intuitively designed, this illustration and animation tool is perfect for sketching concepts.
2. 2D Animation Software
2D animation software is essential for creating animations, whether you’re doing it hand-drawn or using rigged models. Using digital animation tools streamlines the animation process, making creating smooth and engaging sequences easier and faster.
Top 7 2D Animation Tools:
1. Adobe Animate: Yet another name familiar to the industry, Animate is an ideal tool for animators, mainly for web-based and interactive animations.
2. Moho: This tool for animation is designed for the creation of vector-based animation.
3. OpenToonz: Open-source animation software with a rich set of features for your perusal.
4. Pencil2D: A Simple, open-source tool for traditionally drawn animations.
5. Synfig Studio: A software for animators that provides advanced control over vector-based 2D animation, available for free.
6. Toon Boom Harmony: The industry standard for professional 2D animation—notable works produced through it include Rick and Morty and the Cuphead Show.
7. TVPaint Animation: Initially released in 1991, this animation tool is great for traditional, bitmap-based animation.
3. 3D Modelling and Animation Software
Creating three-dimensional characters, environments, and effects can be executed through 3D modelling and animation software. These tools for animators are necessary for animating digital, complex models and bringing them to life with realistic movements and interactions.
Top 7 3D Animation Tools:
1. Autodesk 3ds Max: This animation app is a go-to for game, film, and architectural making.
2. Blender: A free yet comprehensive, 3D creation suite. A few pieces created using Blender are “I Lost My Body” and “Darrel”.
3. Cinema 4D: A user-friendly tool, ideal for three-dimensional motion graphics—not the impossible fourth dimension.
4. Houdini: It’s a tool renowned for 3D procedural generation and visual effects, that supports keyframe animation and motion capture.
5. Autodesk Maya: The industry standard for 3D animation and rigging, notably used to animate Star Wars Episode II.
6. Modo: Developed by Luxology LLC, Modo offers four (4) main features within a single app, including Modeling, Rendering and Shading, Workflow, Animation and Rigging.
7. ZBrush: ZBrush specialises in the digital sculpting of detailed 3D and 2.5 models.
4. Rigging Animation Tools
Rigging tools are critical for creating realistic and fluid character movements, especially within the realm of 3D animation. These tools allow animators to build control systems for characters, as if they were a virtual puppet, to ensure that they move naturally within a scene.
Top 7 Rigging Animation Tools:
1. AdvancedSkeleton (Autodesk Maya): An affordable package of rigging animation tools, built for powerful rigging in Autodesk Maya. This might be better suited for individuals with more industry experience.
2. Blender: Making another appearance in this list, Blender has built-in features just for character rigging in 3D.
3. Cascadeur: Through a physics-based approach, you can animate characters with realistic movements for both film and game.
4. Mixamo (by Adobe): This web-based tool automates rigging and provides pre-made animations, through machine learning.
5. Autodesk MotionBuilder: Typically used for cinematography, mocap and keyframe animation, this is an advanced tool for character animation. Do note that motion capture may not be viable for beginners, due to its complexity and expensive physical equipment.
6. Rigify (Blender Add-on): This optional module aids in the automation of character rigging within Blender.
7. Spine: This tool is designed to produce the skeletons of 2D characters in video games.
5. Rendering Software
Rendering software is a vital step in the animation process, where digital models and animations are converted into high-quality pieces of media. This process involves lighting, shading, and effects, which are crucial for achieving the desired visual output and atmosphere.
Top 7 Rendering Tools:
1. Autodesk Arnold: Arnold is a tool known for 3D rendering CG scenes through path tracing, to a degree of photorealism.
2. Cycles (by Blender): Cycles is an integrated, open-source rendering engine based on raytracing.
3. KeyShot: This offers quick, accurate rendering instantaneously.
4. OctaneRender: Unbiased, objective and speedy, this software offers real-time rendering with GPU acceleration.
5. Redshift: Redshift is a GPU-accelerated rendering tool, prised for its speed and efficiency, which has integration capabilities across numerous 3D applications.
6. RenderMan (by Pixar): Not to be confused with the faceless character, RenderMan is a software Pixar themselves developed, and currently uses. It’s free— as long as you aren’t using it for commercial purposes.
7. V-Ray: Initially released 25 years ago, V-Ray is a versatile and powerful tool that has racked up users across multiple industries.
6. Compositing and Post-Production Tools
Compositing and post-production tools are essential for adding visual effects, adjusting colour, and finalising the animation. These tools allow animators to integrate different elements seamlessly and polish the final product.
Top 7 Compositing and Post-Production Tools:
1. Adobe After Effects: With a name that’s on the nose, this go-to visual effects and compositing application allows you to create stunners.
2. DaVinci Resolve: Built to focus on colour grading and correction, DaVinci Resolve is a comprehensive post-production application.
3. Autodesk Flame: It’s an app that describes itself as a “powerful finishing and visual effects solution”, used extensively in TV and film.
4. Fusion 19 (by Blackmagic Design): Generously free for both commercial and production use, Fusion is a software made for post-production compositing.
5. HitFilm Pro: This app offers layering, chromakey and visual effects functions for your post-production needs.
6. Natron: Natron is an open-source alternative to paid applications, that doesn’t shy away from bearing professional features.
7. Nuke: Nuke is a high-end, node-based compositing software predominantly used in television and film.
7. Project Management Tools
Project management tools are important for keeping animation projects organised, on schedule, and within budget. They’re used before, during and even after a project—these tools help teams collaborate effectively, track progress, and manage resources throughout an animation’s pipeline.
Top 7 Project Management Tools:
1. Asana: Asana is a rightfully popular app that helps teams organise, track, and delegate work.
2. Autodesk (formerly ShotGrid and Shotgun): This app is tailored for VFX and animation studios to track assets and shots.
3. ClickUp: This well-known project management platform features whiteboards, spreadsheets and documents for users to collaborate on.
4. FTrack: This is a video-production management app to track, collaborate and plan.
5. Notion: This software is known for being an all-in-one workspace for note-taking, task management, and collaboration. It also allows users to publish pages online.
6. TESSR: With people at its core, TESSR is an animation project management software specifically made for creatives. It offers annotation tools, centralised review systems, and insightful data for your project management needs.
TESSR is an animation project management software designed specifically to help you, animators, artists, and creatives streamline their workflow and tasks. Our features are tailored to support People, Pipeline, and Project, ensuring your projects are delivered on time while fostering effective and engaging teamwork.
Beyond project management, TESSR also serves as an animation collaboration tool for the teams. You can easily give and receive feedback or approvals through drawn, written, or frame-accurate comments—minimising miscommunication and keeping the focus on progress.
Not only as a project management and animation collaboration tool, TESSR helps strengthen teamwork by supporting leaders in distributing scenes evenly among team members, preventing burnout and promoting a balanced workload.
Read more: Why choose TESSR?
Conclusion
For animators, selecting the right digital animation tools, software, and animation project management software is essential for producing work both efficiently and effectively. From illustration to project management, each type of tool plays a critical role in the production process. Introducing new tools may be slightly intimidating, but the heightened quality of your end results will be worth it.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
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