Top 10 Free Animation Software for Mac

Part 1

1. Toon Boom Animate Pro

Features and Functions:

· This is the firstfree animation software for Macunder this list. The toon boom animate pro is a Canadian software company that specializes in the production and storyboarding software.

· The software can be used for the storyboarding for television, web, films, mobile phones, animation, games etc.

· The software can be used by a variety of people whether they are professionals working in the animation field or whether they are aspiring students who eventually want to placed somewhere in the animation world.

Pros of toon boom animate pro.

· The software has a centralized databa_x_se system and is extensively used in the film and animation industry. The databa_x_se is quite efficient and it also allows the animators to use the software with least difficulty.

· Thisfree animation software for Maccan be used easily by the beginners.

· It has almost all the opus features and can be easily used for cutout animation style. The software has tools that can be used to draw textures with pencil; it has the morphing tools, deformation tool, particles, built-in compositor, 2D or 3D integration.

Cons of toon boom animate pro.

· There are no online tutorials for some of the versions.

· It loads very slowly even on higher RAM

· Non-NVidia chipsets are not supported by thisfree animation software for Mac.

User Reviews:

· PLE edition very limited. -http://animation.about.com/od/softwarereviews/gr/tbanimatereview.htm

·Toon Boom is next on my shopping list of mindbogglingly expensive software tools for starving artists. -http://www.awn.com/forum/thread/1014088

·Used to use 'Animo' back in the day, and ToonBoom reminds me a lot of that, since it has tools for detecting line weight in scanned art, formulating colour regions etc. It seems to be built specifically for 2d character animation - either scanned or drawn directly. -http://www.awn.com/forum/thread/1014088

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Part 2

2. Pencil 2D

Features and Functions:

· The pencil 2d is afree animation software for the Macusers. The best part about the software is that it is easy to use and handle.

· The technical specification of the software is easy. So, it does not take very long to master using this software. It can be termed as very user-friendly software.

· The software also offers a lot of features to its users. The interface of the software also is absolutely simple. And supports a number of features.

Pros of pencil 2D

· The first and foremost advantage of thisfree animation software for Macis that it can be easily downloaded using the Internet.

· Also, the software is free of cost. So, people who are new to this industry can download the software and practice on it. Later, they could invest some money and buy a pro version of the professional software.

· The program or the software also uses the bitmap or vector animation that only adds to the positive aspects of this software. It also outputs to the SWF that only adds to the already existing positivity of this great software.

Cons of pencil 2D

· If you want your creation to be impressive then you will need a graphic tablet for using thisfree animation software for Mac.

·There is a little problem in working with importing sounds.

· There are still many errors coming up while working with the current PC version.

User reviews:

· Pencil is a very realistic sketching program and good 2D animation tool for the cost (free). -http://www.pcworld.com/article/250029/free_pencil_animation_program_has_great_sketching_tools.html

· Pencil is a very well rounded and complete application. Don't be fooled by the fact that it is free! With regard to Pencil, free, -http://pencil.en.softonic.com/mac

· it seems a very good software, and easy to easy, BUT it does not work on mountain lion, my system. I hope this issue will be solved soon. -http://sourceforge.net/projects/pencil-planner/reviews?source=navbar

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Part 3

3. Blender

Features and Functions:

· Blender software provides a powerful set of design tools and is a software for cross-platform 3D animations.

· Python language for sc_x_ripting your animations is also provided in this free animation software for Mac.

· It can make your animations look life like with the help of ray trace rendering feature.

Pros of blender

 

· One can easily download and use it as it is free of cost.

· Can be used for the making of 3D animation projects or movies.

· This free animation software for Mac has a very interactive and user friendly interface.

Cons of Blender:

· This free animation software for Mac is mainly meant for experts and not for beginners.

· Though attractive but the interface of this software is very daunting.

User Reviews:

· For simple projects DON’T EVEN TRY.

· Best 3D package you can get.

· Powerful professional level freeware 3D modeler.

https://ssl-download.cnet.com/Blender/3000-6677_4-38150.html

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Part 4

4. Adobe flash professional 4

Features and functions:

· Thisfree animation software for Machas been one of the most famous software that is used by both professionals as well as the amateurs.

· This software has many advantages that have made it to be one of the highly used and popular software.

· You can easily import and add videos in thisfree animation software for Mac.

Pros of Adobe flash professional:

· This free animation software for Mac is considered as the ‘must have’ for the animation category. It is easy to use and has la_x_yers that are very easy to understand.

· The best part about the software is that it is open to infinite possibilities and the user can easily make great use of the software and fulfill their purposes of animation.

· It is easy to import and the content is created Photoshop or fireworks.

· It has additional features and new formats that most other software lack.

· The software is considered to be very versatile and dynamic.

· Also supports projection files and the HTML5 extensions.

Cons of Adobe flash professional:

· This free animation software for Mac runs very slow and drains your battery very fast.

· It is very heavy and consumes a lot of space in the hard disk as compared to other Adobe softwares.

· Does not have an effective interface.

User reviews:

· It is good for pro’s but not for beginners.

· Download a patience app with this as well.

· Excellent for CNET.

https://ssl-download.cnet.com/Adobe-Flash-Professional-CS5-5/3000-6676_4-10018718.html

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Part 5

5. Flash optimizer:

Features and functions:

· Thisfree animation software for Macis one of those magical additions to the world of animation and the other existing software.

· The software is designed to also make the flash less bloated and also made faster to reach the website.

· It is a very simple tool that can be used by all the mac users.

Pros of flash optimizer:

· The user interface is absolutely easy to use and is designed in a way that even the newest of people to the animation industry can learn and use it.

· Thefree animation software for Machas two types of compress configuration I.e. the simple and the advanced. The advanced offers more than fifty separate adjustments and tweaks.

· The application software can also reduce the SWF files by 70%, this is only possible by using the range of vectors, algorithms and other various optimizations.

Cons of flash optimizer:

· While compressing your file in flash optimizer, there is a little loss of quality of the file being compressed.

· The SWV files which are compressed are saved in black and white.

· The trial version has limited features.

User reviews:

· Without Flash Optimizer, we would have been unable to produce some of our rich media banners involving png sequences of 3D video as they simply would be too heavy.

· It is an excellent tool, a “must-have” for a Flash developer. If most of your work is banner creation, then you need Flash Optimizer. You have lots of freedom to play with your SWF’s file compression to find the best quality/size rate.

· Flash Optimizer reduces the size of your file while at the same time keeping the original quality of your product, this gives me a lot more freedom when it comes to inserting media such as pictures and videos./

http://mac.eltima.com/swf-compressor.html

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Part 6

6. Cinema 4D

Features and functions:

· Cinema 4D is commonly called a graphic artist’s best friend.

· The graphics of thisfree animation software for Macand the other features are extremely user friendly.

· One can give the best visual effects for gaming, animations and films using this software.

Pros of cinema 4D:

· Thefree animation software for Macis easy to use and the after effects do not need to be rendered. It happens on its own.

· It also offers good import system such as the EPS or the illustrator. It can also easily combine images or videos.

· The software can be used for logo, illustrations, buildings etc.

· It is also a very cost-effective solution for the users.

· One can also upgrade to the better and more powerful versions of the software any time once they have mastered the skills of using the older version of the software.

Cons of cinema 4D:

· Thefree animation software for Macrequires a lot of resources to run and hence it is considered to be resource heavy.

· Beginners need a lot of practice to work on it.

· Modules in this software are not available for free and have to be separately purchased.

User reviews:

· Just keeps on getting better.

· Good and solid product

· Turning into a great 3D app.

https://ssl-download.cnet.com/CINEMA-4D-Update/3000-6677_4-7904.html

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Part 7

7. Photoshop:

Features and functions:

· Photoshop is yet anotherfree animation software for Macwhich is usually either underrated or generally unnoticed or under looked when it comes to talking about animation and other related software.

· While, many people might think that this software is not apt for use in animation, but the fact remains that it has the capability to be used as great animation software.

· Helps you not only in simple retouching of images but also perform complex 3D illustrations and create designs

Pros of Photoshop:

· The best part about thisfree animation software for Macis that it comes with a tutorial that helps the user to master the skill of using the software. It is one such software that one can use to teach their own self. It is a great option for those who take animation as their hobby.

· Experts have designed the software. The software contains the latest technology that is used in the animation industry today. So, one could say that the software is at par with technology and development.

· It contains personalized menu panels which makes work easier for the designer.

Cons of Photoshop:

· It needs a powerful computer to handle it.

· Not meant for beginners and specifically made for experienced users.

· Users need to make compromises with the functionality of smart-filter.

User reviews:

· Countless tools for photo retouching. -http://adobe-photoshop.en.softonic.com/mac

· So far , so great… -http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS6-Download-Version/product-reviews/B007USG342

· Works great. -http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-CS6-Download-Version/product-reviews/B007USG342

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Part 8

8. DAZ Studio :

Features and functions:

· There is great news for all the animators and designers as the free version of this software is now available.

· It is absolutely professional and afree animation software for Macthat is used by the great and experienced animators and they also recommend the use to the new ones joining the industry.

· It is best used for creating unique animations and digital arts

Pros of DAZ Studio:

· As stated above, thisfree animation software for Macis absolutely fantastic and is used by a number of people for the given features it offers.

· One can easily get access to the free version of the software if they register with the website and create an account in the same.

· The rendering engine of the software is very fast.

· There is also a huge library of the pre-created component that can be used to modify or create the new content.

Cons of DAZ Studio:

· It offers many limitations for advance modelers.

· Cameras are weak and lighting is poor

· The content which you install gets all over the place.

User reviews:

· Nothing special

· Smoother, faster, easier.

· Clean user friendly interface that responds quickly.

https://ssl-download.cnet.com/DAZ-Studio/3000-6677_4-10717526.html

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Part 9

9. Sqirlz Morph:

Features and functions:

· It is great software for morphing the videos and clips of the software.

· It is very unique software that can be used for the morphing purpose as morphing is one of the important steps and functions that have to be carried out during the animation.

· You can together merge or morph more than one picture at a time with thisfree animation software for Mac.

Pros of Sqirlz Morph:

· The user can easily save the video that is animated in various modes. The videos can be easily saved in the flash mode, AVI video clip, animated GIF file or jpeg files.

· One can also animate faces very easily to make funny and very attractive kind of movies or video clips.

· Easy and fun to use.

Cons of Sqirlz Morph:

· It consists of a very basic tutorial.

· la_x_yers are missing in thisfree animation software for Mac.

· Takes a lot of time to produce an effective end result.

User reviews:

· Excellent freeware!

· Great free morpher

· Nice program to use. Very easy and fun to use.

https://ssl-download.cnet.com/Sqirlz-Morph/3000-2186_4-10304209.html

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Part 10

10. Openspace 3D:

· This is another free animation software for Mac which is is used for li_x_nking functionalities together.

· It is also used for defining the mutual interactions. The software is technologically advanced and apt.

· The goals of the softwareis to help the users create great movies and video clips for their own purposes like the creation of the movies that are for the professional movie industry or is for the students who aspire to be a part of the animation and designing software.

Pros of Openspace 3D:

· One can develop new and collaborative videos; also bring about innovation in the field of animation.

· The software is absolutely free of cost and is also very easy to download. There are no lengthy or time-consuming procedures to be able to download the software.

· The use of the software is also quite easy and one can master the skill of using this software if they pay full attention and learn every aspect of this great software.

· The social media applications can also be made to look good using thi software. This software is used for designing various applications that are used on social media.

Cons of Openspace 3D:

· It is difficult to install

· Requirements for the system to install this software are very high.

· Technical support for thisfree animation software for Macis limited.

User reviews:

· Promises much, but won’t install. -https://ssl-download.cnet.com/Openspace3D/3000-2186_4-75300325.html

· It augments reality. -http://ccm.net/forum/affich-621686-openspace-3d-user-feedback-on

· Confusing program. -https://ssl-download.cnet.com/archive/3000-2186_4-11899419.html#userReviews

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