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Design
Software
Animation
Business Software
What are the best software options for creating animated shorts?
4
Options
Considered
6
User
Recs.
Feb 20, 2022
Last
Updated
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3
Options
Considered
Best software options for creating animated shorts
Price
Platforms
Technology
--
Krita
Free
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android
C++, Qt
--
Blender
Free
Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD
C, Python
--
OpenToonz
-
Windows, Linux, Mac
C++
See Full List
--
Krita
My Rec
ommendation
for
Krita
My Recommendation for
Krita
All
4
Pros
3
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Amazing support for displaying brushes
Krita's preset brushes are one of the default dockers. Each brush has a preview on mouseover that shows a detailed view of the type of brush involved. All the brushes also have useful and descriptive names such as "HP Pencil" or "Textured Fuzzy".
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android
Technology:
C++, Qt
License:
Open source
Top
Pro
•••
Free and open source
Krita is completely free and open source. They have raised a couple of successful Kickstarters in the past to get the initial financing and now they are accepting donations.
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Top
Pro
•••
Constantly updated
Krita is getting constant releases with updates and bug fixes. New features are added at a pace that far surpasses the other alternatives.
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Hide
See All
Free
Recommend
1
--
Blender
My Rec
ommendation
for
Blender
My Recommendation for
Blender
All
16
Pros
14
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Coherent and streamlined workflow / internal use logic
The trick with Blender is to get used to its usage philosophy, as it keeps consistent through all the application. Once you get it, every feature or addition is learnt naturally, almost effortlessly.
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Top
Con
•••
Poor particle system
The Blender particle system can at times be a little limiting and finicky (and buggy) to get working. Even if it can get most straight forward jobs done, it is far from the most advanced system, and could benefit largely from advancements.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD
Technology:
C, Python
3D:
Yes
2D:
Yes (as of 2.8)
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Node based modeling support
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Top
Pro
•••
It has sculpting and 3D painting features
Although blenders 3d painting and sculpting tools (mostly painting) are not at par with specialized software like Substance painter, z brush, or mari; it is more than capable of getting most jobs done if the user takes the time to learn and understand it.
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Top
Pro
•••
Very useful for a freelancer.
It offers a round solution (it covers many areas and professional fields) for a freelancer, for free, constantly updated, very polished, and allowing high quality results that clients do require. After some learning, it becomes very useful for professional work.
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Top
Pro
•••
Has a good rendering engine
Blender runs the Cycles path tracing engine under the hood. Cycles is a very powerful rendering engine capable of full path tracing (light fall off, caustics, volumetrics). It is mostly compatible with OpenCL and CUDA rendering, and is implementing mycropolygon displacement features.
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Top
Pro
•••
Keyboard shortcuts
Good keyboard shortcuts for everything. Keep your left hand on the keyboard and your right hand on the mouse.
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Top
Pro
•••
Includes video editing & compositing tools
Blender's node-based compositor has comprehensive video sequencing and post-processing features.
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Top
Pro
•••
Wide import and export format support
Support lots of modern 3D formats including DAE and FBX - ideal for game developers.
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Top
Pro
•••
Regular release schedule
Releases are made every ~3 months.
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Top
Pro
•••
Supports both low-poly and hi-poly modeling
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Top
Pro
•••
Includes a complete game engine
Blender has a complete game engine. It features node based scripting (called Node Editor), Python scripting, dynamic shadows, bullet physics, animated textures and more. Combine it with the ability to model, render bake and texture paint inside the same application and modify the source code because of it being free and open source, Blender becomes an excellent choice for making prototypes and even complete games in considerably low amount of time.
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Top
Pro
•••
Python extensibility
Blender embeds Python 3, which can be used to write add-ons, tools, extend the interface, rig characters and automate tasks.
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Top
Pro
•••
Powerful animation suite
Blender provides a full rigging system, and automates animation by interpolating between keyframe positions.
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Top
Pro
•••
Free and open source
Blender is licensed under the GPL.
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Hide
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Free
Recommend
3
--
OpenToonz
My Rec
ommendation
for
OpenToonz
My Recommendation for
OpenToonz
All
3
Pros
2
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Used by the big guys
Used by animation legends like Fox, Dwango, and Studio Ghibli.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac
Technology:
C++
Top
Pro
•••
Free and Open-source
Free for commercial/non-commercial use.
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Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
1
Don't see your favorite option? Add it.
--
Houdini
My Rec
ommendation
for
Houdini
My Recommendation for
Houdini
$2.99
Recommend
1
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