Top 10 Best Drawing Animation Software for Desktop

Animation has become a cornerstone of creative industries, offering dynamic storytelling possibilities. Whether you’re an aspiring animator or a seasoned professional, having the right drawing animation software can make a significant difference in your work. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best drawing animation software for desktop highlighting their key features and benefits.

1. Adobe Animate

Key Features:

• Vector-based drawing tools
• Powerful timeline and animation tools
• Integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps
• Extensive asset library
• HTML5 Canvas and WebGL support

Adobe Animate, formerly known as Flash, is a leading tool in the animation industry. It offers robust vector-based drawing tools and a comprehensive timeline for creating intricate animations. Its integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps enhances workflow efficiency. Adobe Animate supports multiple output formats, including HTML5 Canvas and WebGL, making it versatile for web and mobile projects.

2. Toon Boom Harmony

Key Features:

• Advanced rigging and deformations
• 2D/3D integration
• Bitmap and vector drawing capabilities
• Powerful compositing tools
• Industry-standard for TV and film animation

Toon Boom Harmony is widely recognized as the industry standard for professional animation production, particularly in TV and film. Its advanced rigging and deformation tools allow for detailed character animations. Harmony’s 2D/3D integration and powerful compositing tools make it a versatile choice for complex projects. The software supports both bitmap and vector drawing, catering to various artistic styles.

3. TVPaint Animation

Key Features:

• Bitmap-based animation tools
• Custom brushes and textures
• Storyboarding and animatic tools
• Multiplane camera effects
• Extensive training resources

TVPaint Animation is a bitmap-based software that excels in hand-drawn animation. Its custom brushes and textures provide a natural, traditional feel to digital animations. TVPaint also includes robust storyboarding and animatic tools, making it a comprehensive solution for pre-production. The multiplane camera effects add depth to animations, and the extensive training resources help beginners get started.

4. Clip Studio Paint

Key Features:

• Powerful drawing tools for illustrations and comics
• Frame-by-frame animation capabilities
• Customizable brushes
• Vector and raster support
• Cloud integration

Clip Studio Paint is popular among illustrators and comic artists, but its animation capabilities make it a strong contender for animators as well. The software supports frame-by-frame animation and offers powerful drawing tools with customizable brushes. Clip Studio Paint handles both vector and raster graphics, providing flexibility for different styles. Cloud integration allows for seamless work across devices.

5. Moho (Anime Studio)

Key Features:

• Bone rigging system
• Smart Bones for realistic deformations
• Vector-based drawing tools
• Physics engine for dynamic effects
• Lip-syncing and audio support

Moho, also known as Anime Studio, is a user-friendly animation software with a focus on character animation. Its bone rigging system and Smart Bones feature enable realistic deformations and smooth animations. Moho’s vector-based drawing tools ensure scalability and precision. The software also includes a physics engine for dynamic effects and supports lip-syncing, making it a comprehensive animation tool.

6. Synfig Studio

Key Features:

• Vector-based 2D animation
• Bone system for character rigging
• Advanced keyframe control
• Bitmap artwork support
• Open-source and free

Synfig Studio is an open-source, vector-based animation software that is ideal for those looking to explore animation without a financial investment. It features a robust bone system for character rigging and advanced keyframe control for smooth animations. Synfig also supports bitmap artwork, offering versatility in artistic styles. As an open-source project, it benefits from continuous community-driven development and updates.

7. Pencil2D

Key Features:

• Simple and intuitive interface
• Raster and vector drawing modes
• Frame-by-frame animation
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Open-source and free

Pencil2D is an open-source, lightweight animation software designed for beginners. Its simple and intuitive interface makes it easy to learn and use. Pencil2D supports both raster and vector drawing modes, allowing for a range of artistic styles. The software focuses on frame-by-frame animation, making it ideal for traditional animators who prefer drawing each frame by hand.

8. OpenToonz

Key Features:

• Professional-grade animation tools
• Scan and cleanup tools for traditional drawings
• GTS scanning tool integration
• Powerful FX system
• Open-source and free

OpenToonz is a professional-grade animation software used by studios such as Studio Ghibli. It offers a wide range of tools for both digital and traditional animation. OpenToonz includes scanning and cleanup tools for traditional drawings and integrates with the GTS scanning tool. Its powerful FX system allows for complex effects, and being open-source, it’s freely available to all animators.

9. Krita

Key Features:

• Advanced painting and drawing tools
• Frame-by-frame animation
• Customizable brush engines
• Onion skinning
• Open-source and free

Krita is primarily known as a digital painting software, but its animation features make it a viable option for animators. Krita supports frame-by-frame animation and offers advanced painting and drawing tools with customizable brush engines. The onion skinning feature helps animators see previous and next frames, aiding in smooth transitions. As an open-source tool, Krita is freely available and continually improved by its community.

10. Blender

Key Features:

• Comprehensive 3D creation suite
• 2D animation tools with Grease Pencil
• Advanced rigging and animation tools
• Powerful rendering engine
• Open-source and free

Blender is renowned for its 3D capabilities, but its Grease Pencil tool has made it a strong contender for 2D animation as well. Grease Pencil allows for traditional 2D animation within a 3D environment, offering unique possibilities for animators. Blender includes advanced rigging and animation tools, a powerful rendering engine, and supports both 2D and 3D animation. As an open-source software, Blender is free and benefits from a vibrant community and regular updates.

Conclusion

Choosing the right drawing animation software depends on your specific needs, skill level, and the type of projects you aim to create. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple tool to get started or a professional seeking advanced features, the software listed above offers a range of options to suit various requirements. From industry standards like Adobe Animate and Toon Boom Harmony to powerful open-source alternatives like Blender and Krita, these tools provide the foundation for creating stunning animations on your desktop. Happy animating!