4 Free Animation Software For Mac

4 free animation software

Animation software isn't cheap if you are planning to learn it. However, you can always practice with some free software that comes with drawing and animating capability. I've searched on the internet for free software for Mac's Maverick OS that you can consider if you wish to learn to create your own cartoon video.

 

Free And Usable 2D Software

flipbook 2d animation software

Digicel Flipbook Animation Software

Digicel Flipbook is absolutely free for you to download and usable on Mac OS Maverick. It is easy to get started on animation and the interface is simple. I can start to draw on the canvas and use the Xsheet panel for frame selection. Flipbook comes with a light box function which I fin helpful in the animation process. This is similar to the traditional development where the artist uses light box to see through tracing paper for drawing reference. The final animation video will have a Digicel logo watermark for this trial version until you buy the full version at USD$58.

 

Free 2D Software But For Trial Period

animation-ish 2d animation software

Toon Boom's Animation-ish Software

Animation-ish is not a free animation software, but it has a 15-day free trial for you to explore. Its interface is filled with hand drawn graphic, giving a fun cartoon atmosphere and generally easy to learn. This software makes use of the traditional frame by frame approach to create animation digitally. It guides you on drawing and tracing and create interesting animation using the timeline. This software comes with pre-drawn animation which you can easily insert into your canvas and learn from them. If you like to draw and learn animation, Animation-ish could be great affordable animation software to start with. It's priced at USD$59 and can be downloaded digitally so it is very convenient to get a copy of it.

anime studio 2d animation software

Anime Studio Debut Software

Anime Studio Debut provides a 30-day trial version for you to get familiar with. You can also download the professional version for another 30-day free trial, so in total you get 60 days of free trial. Anime Studio is similar to Adobe Flash except that it does not have any interactive aspect. The software's interface provides a beginner mode, which simplifies the usage of the tools for new users. This software comes with powerful animation tools such as bones and rigging tools to control characters easily. Anime Studio is priced at USD$49.99 for the debut version and USD$299.99 for the professional version.

 

Free 3D Software

blender 3d animation software

Blender Software

Blender is a free 3D software if you are keen in learning 3D animation. Blender has a different approach in its interface compared to 3D Studio Max and Maya. New users will need to spend some time to familiarise with its interface before any project development. Nevertheless, Blender provides all the necessary tools to create 3D animation. With Blender, you can create 3D models and animation just like other professional 3D software.

 

Free But Not Usable Software

I've found Synfig Studio and Pencil that are not usable on Mac Maverick OS yet. I've tried them and Synfig Studio does not launch its application at all. As for Pencil, it has graphic refresh issue. I.e. After I draw a line, the line does not show up. Maybe these software might still work on older Mac OS such as Leopard or Snow Leopard.

 

My Free Software Pick

I will personally recommend Animation-ish since the user interface is easy to grasp and allows me to see immediate action results. This software has a traditional drawing style which makes our artwork unique. Learning animation does not necessarily needs a professional software, albeit it will be the ideal situation. You can still learn the animation fundamentals by having fun with drawing things that you like.

 

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Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net