2D Animation Software
Software: Adobe AfterEffects
Publisher: Adobe
License: Free Trial
Comments: Motion graphics and visual effects for film and media.
Software: Animator-9 3.6
Publisher: Key Technology
License: Free
Comments: Make animated GIFs from your digital camera.
Software: Animator-DV
Publisher: AnimatorHD
License: Free Trial
Comments: Stop-motion animation on your computer.
Software: Anime Studio Pro 5
Publisher: MySmithMicro
License: Free Trial
Comments: Studio-style animation program.
Software: AniS 1.0
Publisher: Tom Whittaker
License: Free
Comments: Simple image manipulation for the web.
Software: Beneton Movie GIF
Publisher: Beneton Software
License: Free
Comments: Basic GIF animation software.
Software: Cylekx 2.9
Publisher: Cylekx
License: Free
Comments: Graphics and animation program.
Software: DigiCel Flipbook 6
Publisher: DigiCel, Inc.
License: Free Trial
Comments: Industry standard studio animation program.
Software: Flash Effect Site Builder
Publisher: Go2Share.net (Warning: website not safe for work)
License: Free Trial
Comments: More of a website builder, but still uses Flash animation.
Software: Flash Media Show
Publisher: SourceTec Software
License: Free (Standard Edition)
Comments: Flash slideshow builder and exporter.
Software: FotoMorph
Publisher: Digital Photo Software
License: Free
Comments: Image morphing and animation software.
Software: GifSplitter 2
Publisher: XoYo Software
License: Free
Comments: Simple GIF animation and splitting program.
Software: Jumpwel
Publisher: Phildes
License: Free
Comments: Basic object manipulator for use in HTML; uses Java applets.
Software: KoolMoves 7.0
Publisher: KoolMoves
License: Free Trial
Comments: Alternative Flash animation program.
Software: Adobe Flash
Publisher: Adobe
License: Free Trial
Comments: The leading name in 2D vector animation.
Software: Macromedia Director
Publisher: Macromedia
License: Free Trial
Comments: Create interactive ShockWave content.
Software: Sqirlz Lite 1.1d
Publisher: xiberpix
License: Free
Comments: Animated image distorter that exports in AVI format.
Software: Sqirlz Morph 2.1
Publisher: xiberpix
License: Free
Comments: Animated image morpher and blender. Capable of outputting in Flash format.
Software: The TAB Manga
Publisher: The TAB
License: Free Trial
Comments: Children's animation program.
Software: Toon Boom Animate
Publisher: Toon Boom
License: Free Trial
Comments: Industry-leading professional studio animation program.
Software: Ulead GIF Animator 5
Publisher: Corel
License: Free Trial
Comments: Full-featured GIF animation software.
3D Animation Software
Software: 3D Studio Max 7.0
Publisher: Discreet
License: Free Trial
Comments: Version 7.0 of the award-winning 3D modeling and animation software package. Also comes with trials of Character Studio and Mental Ray.
Software: Cyberdelia
Publisher: Askoh.com
License: Free
Comments: 3D Animation with support for exporting into Macromedia Shockwave.
Software: FreeCAD 8.0
Publisher: Askoh.com
License: Free
Comments: Bit of a beginner's 3D CAD and simulation program.
Software: Gmax
Publisher: Discreet
License: Free
Comments: Oh, man. It's every gamer's dream: a free 3D program that lets you make your own modifications, customizations, and models for Gmax-ready video games. Based on 3D Studio Max.
Software: Maya 6.5
Publisher: Alias WaveFront
License: Free Trial
Comments: The latest version of an industry leader in 3D modeling and animation.
Software: Serif 3D Plus
Publisher: Serif
License: Free
Comments: Allows animated shapes and landscapes.
Software: Special Effects 3.2
Publisher: Mathematically Beautiful ScreenSavers
License: Free
Comments: Very limited range of pre-set animations controlled by user preferences.
Software: Touch Art Sampler 017
Publisher: Derivative
License: Free
Comments: More of a VJ/synthesizer studio than anything else, but still lets you play with animations. Looks rather fun.
Software: TrueSpace 3.2
Publisher: Caligari
License: Free
Comments: Full 3D rendering and output. Seems completely free, though you have to register to get an unlock code on the website. Cross-compatible with many programs.
Blender
Free, blender.org | Download Blender
Blender has recently made a pretty impressive splash when it was used to create the impressive cartoon Big Buck Bunny. This entertaining and professional cartoon should be all the reason you need to try out this open source animation program.
Anim8or
Free, anim8or.com | Download Anim8or
Truly a personal labor of love, this 3D animation program is the creation of Steve Glanville, a software engineer for NVidia. Anim8or, besides being difficult to spell, is a Windows-only application. It is not professional level animation software, but it was never intended to be. Regardless, it is a good introductory animation program, especially if you’re interested in learning how to animate in 3D.
Pencil
Free, les-stooges.org | Download Pencil
Pencil is an interesting animation program in that it allows for both vector and bitmap drawings. It’s as if the drawing tools of Photoshop were combined with the powers of Flash. The software itself has been pared down to its most essential elements, meaning it’s an excellent introductory animation program.
Synfig
Free, synfig.org | Download Synfig
The creators of the Windows-only Synfig have ambitious goals of their animation software being used to create feature film quality animation. After watching an impressive demo it looks like they’re not far away from their goal. Synfig can create complicated lighting and camera effects, it’s up to you, the animator, to use them properly.
CreaToon
Free, creatoon.com | Download CreaToon
Another Windows-only animation program, CreaToon uses a cut-out animation process, similar to Toon Boom. The application itself seems a bit less polished, but the ability to use bitmap images within the program is useful.
Software: Adobe AfterEffects
Publisher: Adobe
License: Free Trial
Comments: Motion graphics and visual effects for film and media.
Software: Animator-9 3.6
Publisher: Key Technology
License: Free
Comments: Make animated GIFs from your digital camera.
Software: Animator-DV
Publisher: AnimatorHD
License: Free Trial
Comments: Stop-motion animation on your computer.
Software: Anime Studio Pro 5
Publisher: MySmithMicro
License: Free Trial
Comments: Studio-style animation program.
Software: AniS 1.0
Publisher: Tom Whittaker
License: Free
Comments: Simple image manipulation for the web.
Software: Beneton Movie GIF
Publisher: Beneton Software
License: Free
Comments: Basic GIF animation software.
Software: Cylekx 2.9
Publisher: Cylekx
License: Free
Comments: Graphics and animation program.
Software: DigiCel Flipbook 6
Publisher: DigiCel, Inc.
License: Free Trial
Comments: Industry standard studio animation program.
Software: Flash Effect Site Builder
Publisher: Go2Share.net (Warning: website not safe for work)
License: Free Trial
Comments: More of a website builder, but still uses Flash animation.
Software: Flash Media Show
Publisher: SourceTec Software
License: Free (Standard Edition)
Comments: Flash slideshow builder and exporter.
Software: FotoMorph
Publisher: Digital Photo Software
License: Free
Comments: Image morphing and animation software.
Software: GifSplitter 2
Publisher: XoYo Software
License: Free
Comments: Simple GIF animation and splitting program.
Software: Jumpwel
Publisher: Phildes
License: Free
Comments: Basic object manipulator for use in HTML; uses Java applets.
Software: KoolMoves 7.0
Publisher: KoolMoves
License: Free Trial
Comments: Alternative Flash animation program.
Software: Adobe Flash
Publisher: Adobe
License: Free Trial
Comments: The leading name in 2D vector animation.
Software: Macromedia Director
Publisher: Macromedia
License: Free Trial
Comments: Create interactive ShockWave content.
Software: Sqirlz Lite 1.1d
Publisher: xiberpix
License: Free
Comments: Animated image distorter that exports in AVI format.
Software: Sqirlz Morph 2.1
Publisher: xiberpix
License: Free
Comments: Animated image morpher and blender. Capable of outputting in Flash format.
Software: The TAB Manga
Publisher: The TAB
License: Free Trial
Comments: Children's animation program.
Software: Toon Boom Animate
Publisher: Toon Boom
License: Free Trial
Comments: Industry-leading professional studio animation program.
Software: Ulead GIF Animator 5
Publisher: Corel
License: Free Trial
Comments: Full-featured GIF animation software.
3D Animation Software
Software: 3D Studio Max 7.0
Publisher: Discreet
License: Free Trial
Comments: Version 7.0 of the award-winning 3D modeling and animation software package. Also comes with trials of Character Studio and Mental Ray.
Software: Cyberdelia
Publisher: Askoh.com
License: Free
Comments: 3D Animation with support for exporting into Macromedia Shockwave.
Software: FreeCAD 8.0
Publisher: Askoh.com
License: Free
Comments: Bit of a beginner's 3D CAD and simulation program.
Software: Gmax
Publisher: Discreet
License: Free
Comments: Oh, man. It's every gamer's dream: a free 3D program that lets you make your own modifications, customizations, and models for Gmax-ready video games. Based on 3D Studio Max.
Software: Maya 6.5
Publisher: Alias WaveFront
License: Free Trial
Comments: The latest version of an industry leader in 3D modeling and animation.
Software: Serif 3D Plus
Publisher: Serif
License: Free
Comments: Allows animated shapes and landscapes.
Software: Special Effects 3.2
Publisher: Mathematically Beautiful ScreenSavers
License: Free
Comments: Very limited range of pre-set animations controlled by user preferences.
Software: Touch Art Sampler 017
Publisher: Derivative
License: Free
Comments: More of a VJ/synthesizer studio than anything else, but still lets you play with animations. Looks rather fun.
Software: TrueSpace 3.2
Publisher: Caligari
License: Free
Comments: Full 3D rendering and output. Seems completely free, though you have to register to get an unlock code on the website. Cross-compatible with many programs.
Blender
Free, blender.org | Download Blender
Blender has recently made a pretty impressive splash when it was used to create the impressive cartoon Big Buck Bunny. This entertaining and professional cartoon should be all the reason you need to try out this open source animation program.
Anim8or
Free, anim8or.com | Download Anim8or
Truly a personal labor of love, this 3D animation program is the creation of Steve Glanville, a software engineer for NVidia. Anim8or, besides being difficult to spell, is a Windows-only application. It is not professional level animation software, but it was never intended to be. Regardless, it is a good introductory animation program, especially if you’re interested in learning how to animate in 3D.
Pencil
Free, les-stooges.org | Download Pencil
Pencil is an interesting animation program in that it allows for both vector and bitmap drawings. It’s as if the drawing tools of Photoshop were combined with the powers of Flash. The software itself has been pared down to its most essential elements, meaning it’s an excellent introductory animation program.
Synfig
Free, synfig.org | Download Synfig
The creators of the Windows-only Synfig have ambitious goals of their animation software being used to create feature film quality animation. After watching an impressive demo it looks like they’re not far away from their goal. Synfig can create complicated lighting and camera effects, it’s up to you, the animator, to use them properly.
CreaToon
Free, creatoon.com | Download CreaToon
Another Windows-only animation program, CreaToon uses a cut-out animation process, similar to Toon Boom. The application itself seems a bit less polished, but the ability to use bitmap images within the program is useful.