Animation software are those designing software that make the developers, programmers, filmmakers and gamers able to draw several separate frames, each little different and then display them one after another in quick and parallel succession to present the impression of movement. Each frame is called a cel and the overall object that is moving is known as actor. Almost every modern day company either it is game, film, advertising or film industry, rely on these software to create the compelling digital content. The animation software are now considered as fulfilling the requirement of rapidly rising user’s expectations, tight deadlines and shrinking budget. For the information of the reader, most of the software listed below deals in architectural work as well but they have the full function of animation as well. These software have integrated workflows, streamlined data exchange and performance enhancement system that will help you meet even the most challenging deadlines. All these software have different way of working. Some are for 2D animation while there are many that are specialized in 3D animation. The sculpting and texture painting system, advanced animation features, high quality simulation and effects and realistic and stylized rendering will make you able to enjoy the 2D and 3D animation in a high class environment. The features and functions of all are different from each other so select that one suite more to your requirement.

41 Best Animation Software

#1 Moho Debut 13

Paid
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Moho Debut 13 is a power pack of features and functions designed for both professionals and beginners to make you able to create animation easily and excitingly. Either start with the existing tools or import the digital images and artwork to get started. It delivers vector-based designing tools to the animators to manipulate their inventive work. It’s a first-rate instrument for artistic expression and ultimate for any age group.

This tool works in an effortless style. Add a skeleton to any image by pointing and clicking to create bones that overlay your photo elements to manipulate palms or legs. Then bring your image to life by creating a pose or motion you wish to use. The latest version of Moho Debut 13 is feature-rich and less complicated, providing a comfortable interface for users.

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#2 SharpConstruct

Free
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SharpConstruct is a 3D modeling application designed to enable users to create and develop polygon models in real-time. The best is that it lets users create model organic shapes. Most of the tools integrated into SharpConstruct are based on the technology of ZBrush.

The software was initially developed for Linux/GNU, but now it is available for Windows as well. It is a free 3D modeling application and licensed under the GPL. The best about SharpConstruct is that it is straightforward to perform regular 3D programs as compared to other 3D modeling applications.

SharpConstruct works as advanced sculpting than conventional modeling. The user of SharpConstruct can draw bugles, shapes, and pits directly on an object, smooth surfaces, pinching, and pulling the edges. SharpConstruct also supports the pressure-sensitive ritbrador providing high and more control over the creation. Users can also increase the number of polygons properly on selected parts.

#3 Toon Boom Animation

Paid
0

Toon Boom Animation is a highly advanced 2D animation software developed to deal with mega designing and development projects. It is like a storyboard for gamers, designers, and developers to create the best animation and publishing materials. It is an all-in-one animation studio for different animation purposes. The best about this tool is that it is a fine combination of high-quality content creation capabilities with the best creative expression. Two main products of the Toon Boom Animation are Storyboard Pro and harmony, and both feature a different set of animations.

When it comes to digital production and creating an advanced level of animations, this is the name of a global standard by which all 2D animation software is judged. It is the most creative, efficient, and easiest way to create an animation. All these are based on the highly advanced industry standard. Sketch, draw, print, and animate are the basic features of Toon Boom Animation. You can apply classic animation principles to your projects with modern tools to speed up the production process. The efficient and creative environment for artists delivers you the ability to create your entire project in one tool.

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#4 Synfig Studio

Free
0

Synfig Studio is an open-source and free two-dimensional software designed for the designers and developers who need an industrial-strength system for creating high-quality animation work by way of bitmap and vector artwork. The best about this software is that it has eliminated the requirement for frame by frame graphing and sketching. That means the users can now easily create the 2D animation of higher quality by adopting few resources.

This software is freely available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. The best about all editions for leading operating systems is that these contain the Cobra rendering engine that means the high possibility of rendering all Synfig Studio layers and new layer FreeTime. These will provide you the easy development of new projects and the availability of transparent integration with Papagayo.

Some features are full-featured bone system to create cutout animation, spatial resolution independence, and most elements are vector-based. It also offers temporal resolution independence, and animation keyframes, high dynamic range imaging, floating-point math in the image calculation, sound support by way of Sound Layer, pen tablet CrazyTalk Animator friendly tools, the advanced drawing tools, artist-oriented design, path-based gradients, etc.

#5 Animation Paper

Free
0

Animation Paper is a dedicated platform for 2D development. Being an advanced 2D software, it is designed for professional and experienced animators and designers. Simple and easy yet powerful and effortless to work with. It is loaded with a ton of features and functions that will allow you to train, learn and master the art of animation. Its features are limited but still very great for the professional level of projects. Some features include a superfast responsiveness interface, quality lines to build high-speed graphics, small to large format frames, real-time smooth rotation, zooming the view, and controlled work with gestures.

Furthermore, it also offers totally customizable onion skinning, layers system in multiple colors, easily reposition, clean up the smoothed lines, paint for simple coloring with an eyedropper and fill, many alternative ways of flipping, customizable toolbar bad, quick selection system, real-time full-frame reference on the second monitor, play scenes in sequence to check continuity, import and export for both videos, frame-stacks and much more.

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#6 Spriter

Paid
0

Spriter is a 2D animation character creation software that can create the optimized and flexible modular 2D. Using this 2D animation software, you can easily create bone-based sprite animators for games. It is basically designed for gamers. However, it can still be used by other animators and designers as well. It provides you with the modular method of creating a smooth and professional level of animations.

This system creates the animators and game developers to get advantages for several aspects of game development and the ready-to-use products. Some advantages of using it are to save time by delivering precise tools, instant creation of game characters, custom tweaking for the modular images, and unlimited character variations. It makes it very easy for professional gamers and animators to deal with whatever tweaks the designer needs to make. Spriter supports the unlimited character variations to get the superfast and painless creation of alternate characters.

#7 CelAction 2D

Paid
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CelAction 2D is a powerful and highly advanced 2D animation program, which is known for being the most innovative animation software. Some of the features and functions of this software are that it is simple to use, fast in performance, ergonomic controls, handles massively complex projects with unlimited layers, both bitmaps, and vectors, definable user workspace, user-defined shortcut keys, multiplane camera features, store multiple named views of the scene and much more.

It is available for up to 8 versions of the Windows operating system, for both 32 and 64-bit. Simply select any element in a window and the rest of the windows will be updated automatically. There is a proper context for sensitive data as it is stored locally. Here you can create a palette from sixteen million colors, while the rest of the features and functions of this tool are related to workflow & collaboration, import & export in almost all leading formats.

Furthermore, it also includes a vectors-based imaging system, use bitmaps, availability of libraries to store and reuse animation/effects/function/color palette, best animation support system, rigging, dope sheet, rendering of multiple cameras, and even support for the 3D. This software is designed for 2D rendering but supports various 3D functions as well, which then further includes the availability of effects in all frame by frame, real-time feedback, distortion.

#8 PowToon

Paid
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PowToon is a multiple animation and presentation-making software for people in designing business. It is an easy-to-use and free animation software that contains an animated explainer that will allow you to make animations of all levels. The availability of dozens of templates will make your work easier. This is the best way to create animated videos, images, and presentations in an engaging, explaining, and selling point of view. It is proven to be more efficient than any other form of video or text communications to grab attention in the workplace. These ready-to-use templates support the fast and drag-and-drop system that you can use for your next presentation.

If you want to enjoy the features of PowerPoint and other 2D animation software in one place, this is the one you should look for. PowToon is available as an online tool that requires no installation. In addition to a free version, there are two paid versions as well, and they are PowToon Pro and PowToon Business, with per month prices of both are $89 and $197. PowToon Business delivers the highest level of features and functionalities as compared to the PowToon Pro.

#9 Animata

Free
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Animata is a highly advanced open source and real-time animation program to create animations and interactive background projections for concerts, games, films, and much more. For the same reason, it is said to be the multifunctional animation software designed for almost all animation functions. The puppets’ movement, the background changes, and generating everything in real-time are its best qualities.

Physical sensors, cameras, or other environmental variables can be attached to the animation of characters or other environmental variables. It is effortless to create a virtual puppet band reacting to live audio input or set up a scene of drawn characters controlled by the dancers’ movement. Animata is different from most traditional 2D and 3D animation programs, and creating characters is simple, taking only a few minutes.

#10 Antics 2-D Animation

Free
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Antics 2-D Animation is a vector-based 2D program for graphic designers and animators. It is a uniquely simple to use and versatile tool for producing animations and graphics of all kinds. It supports both simple and full-scale cartoon character animation. It is integrated with many features and designing tools to let animators, artists, and designers create an advanced level of animated projects. The best part about this animation tool is that it requires no technical knowledge to get started.

It is a cel-based system related to traditional techniques but with unlimited potential for automatically creating animation effects and movements. Some of the features and functions are that it is designed for all type of projects, easy to use, requires no technical knowledge at all, output direct to digital video at any chosen resolution, drawing can be composed of any number of separate, versatile drawing tools, contouring tool automatically converts photos images into drawn lines, clean, uncluttered screen layout, easy to navigate the system, drawing tools for all type of drawings, texture mapping system, versatile color selection, alter any aspect or detail of a drawing instantly, fully-illustrated tutorial and context-sensitive help pages, create compositions and patterns, etc.

#11 Express Animator

Free
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Express Animator is a 2D animation tool for creating animations, presentations, cartoons, game characters, and sound and music. Most of its features are similar to the Adobe Flash MX with some additional tools like skeletal animation and exporting to HTML5 Canvas and Silverlight. Its latest version supports the Actionscript to get the genre of vector-based graphics programs where it stores the coordinates of the shape’s vertices. You can fill the shapes created with either bitmaps, colors, or gradients.

It also supports complex scripts, improved renderers, and various wizards to speed up tasks like creating charts and buttons. The best part is that it provides the skeletal animation that is considered the simplest way of linking multiple shapes like legs or arms to design the animation like a puppet. It also lets the users create moveable characters. Tweening is part of this tool that makes the animators specify the position, orientation, and color of the first and last animation frames and fills in all the intermediate positions. It also features morphing that will let you animate smooth transformation between two shapes.

#12 Autodesk Animator

Free
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Autodesk Animator is a 2D animation program for both beginners and professionals to create interesting animations. It is the best tool for all kinds of continuous and stop animations. It is one of the oldest 2D animation programs designed for creating all levels of projects. This tool has the ability to do frame-by-frame animation. A must-have feature that is a part of this amazing tool is Tweening.

This feature lets the animators specify the position, orientation, and color of an animation’s first and last frames, and then PC fills in all the intermediate positions. Its features and functions are similar to another similar software known as Deluxe Paint. However, at the same time, it is also a bit different from the other traditional 2D animations software as its supports direct keyboard control over animation functions, Sprite animation mode, and creating animation in a scripting language named PocoScript.

#13 Blender

Free
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Blender is a 3D and open-source application for design animations and graphs. It is best for scientists, students, experts, VFX experts, game artists, modders, and many others. Blender is a free and open-source application used for any purpose.

It is quite simple and easy to use and offers a massive range of new tools that helps users to create high-quality animations or graphics without any limitation. Whatever you create by using the Blender is your property, and Blender will never charge for it.

Blender lets users do any artwork, either it is images, movies, blend files, or any other type of data files; all can be controlled on the Blender. The stunning features of Blender are photorealistic rendering, fast modeling, fast rigging, animation toolset, fast UV unwrapping, full compositor, game creation, simulations, etc.

#14 Misfit Model 3D

Free
0

Misfit Model 3D is a 3D model editor that operates with triangle-based models. It can easily support the various multi-level undo, simple texturing, batch processing, skeletal animations, image filtering, and many more functions. Misfit Model 3D supports multiple file formats, including Misfit MM3D, Milkshape MS3D, Quake MD2, Quake MD3, COB, and some others.

The feature list of Misfit Model 3D includes multiplatform applications, availability of up to 9 Orthographic canvas & 3D perspective viewports, viewport zoom & pan, a comprehensive plugin system for adding more tools, commands, and models, etc.

It also allows to create rectangles, cubes, ellipsoids, cylinders, apply materials & skins to models, alpha blending system, native support for PCX & TGA files and texture-mapped element can clamp at the edges or wrap; skeletal animations, frame animations, multiple named animations of both kinds, a system for converting skeletal animations into frame animations, etc.

#15 Sketchfab

Free
0

Sketchfab is a web-based platform for creating and sharing 3D content. It provides a 3D model viewer based on the technology of WebGL that ultimately enables users to display 3D models on a desktop or mobile web page. Sketchfab is a platform of over 400,000 models.

The list of available tens of thousands of 3D models includes 3D scans, 3D printable, animal, architecture, characters, objects, science, scenes, engineering & technology, vegetal, vehicles, and many more. Sketchfab is one of the best platforms where you can upload, publish, and share 3D models with others. Sketchfab also lets designers and artists embed the interactive 3D files.

Sketchfab is available in three plans, mainly free, pro, and business. The good news is that the basic plan of Sketchfab enables users to upload unlimited models. Email support is also available in the free model. The other two plans include more advanced features.

#16 MeshMixer

Free
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MeshMixer is a designing application for giving your virtual idea with solid shape. It lets designers transform their boring stuff into 3D stuff. MeshMixer is a multiplatform 3D designing application that is available for Mac OS X, Windows (32 & 64 bit), and Ubuntu Linux 64-bit.

Basic designing tools like selection, drag & drop, filling, smoothing, making parts, basic controls & hotkeys, volume brush tools, etc., are also part of the MeshMixer. The software comes with a simple editor full of new tools that help you efficiently design any design quickly and easily.

Its most prominent features include pivot system, 3D design option in file menu, texture support, vertex color painting, duplicating linked pivots, new create modes, incorporation of 3D hubs, and ability to add an alternate proxy server. The solution also offers texture maps, create pivot tools, transform tools, align tools, pivot-to-pivot snapping, adaptivity settings, anti-aliased rendering, support structure generation, multi-user installations, etc.

#17 SculptGL

Free
0

SculptGL is a WebGL sculpting application that is powered by JavaScript. It is a web sculpting application for sculpting 3D models in browsers and publishing them as well. The dashboard of SculptGL includes files import & export system, scene, history, background, camera, language, extra UI, rendering, topology, sculpting & painting, and much more.

SculptGL made a fork of the old SculptGL version with a new design. Camera tools in SculptGL include projection, fov (for perspective), camera mode, and camera pivot on picking. The rendering tools include shader, flat shading, show wireframe, curvature, exposure environment, environment texture, and madcap texture.

The other miscellaneous tools are five international languages, show mesh online, outline color, show grid, scale and center mesh at import, show symmetry line, Wacom plugin, shortcuts, and much more.

#18 Curvy 3D

Paid
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Curvy 3D is a dedicated 3D modeling application for artists and designers. It is such a 3D making platform that assists both beginners and professionals in drawing 3D models, maintaining, sculpts, and much more in real-time. Curvy 3D is one of the best and easy-to-use yet powerful sculpting application for Windows for rapidly sketching natural forms direct to 3D.

The non-technical interface of Curvy 3D makes sculpting fun with speedy model development. Curvy 3D lets artists sketch, paint, and even trace. The software is a straightforward route to 3D modeling for the 3D modelers. Curvy 3D is integrated with an advanced volumetric sculpting tool that makes base mesh creation incredibly easy and straightforward.

Curvy 3D lets designers quickly draw the shapes for their model and then merge the forms to create a seamless base mesh. This feature is best for instant content creation and creates an even mesh for detailing in other modeling programs as well.

#19 MARI

Paid
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MARI is a 3D texturing and painting software integrated with the power performance tools that enable designers to handle even the most complex assets. Nowadays, challenging the world of VFX, animation, and game development, MARI is one of the best options to deal with complex projects in a high creativity environment.

The advantages of using MARI are to paint quickly & intuitively in 3D, keep the creativity flowing in a professional & creative environment, work in a user-friendly yet high-quality context, eliminate frustrating & time-consuming multiplication workflows, and enjoying seamless pipeline integration.

MARI features are painting, texture mapping, realistic interactive preview, sophisticated geometry handling, color management, and dozens of others. MARI is a multiplatform software that is available for Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS X 10.9.5 or higher, Linux 64-bit operating systems. However, MARI is also capable of working on many older and prior-generation systems, as well.

#20 ZBrush

Paid
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ZBrush is a digital sculpting utility that mingles 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing, and painting. It utilizes a proprietary ‘Pixel’ technology, which stores lighting, color, stuff, depth information for all objects on the screen. It is employed for producing high-resolution models to be used in games, movies, and animations by companies ranging from ILM to Electronic Arts.

ZBrush is one of the best digital sculpting tools used for creating high-resolution and high-quality models that are then used in movies, games, and animations by movie makers. It used dynamic levels of resolution to enable sculptors and designers to make local or global changes to their models.

ZBrush’s other best function is being capable of sculpting medium to high-frequency details that were otherwise traditionally painted in bump maps. ZBrush’s available features are Zmodeler, instances, details, ZBrush to key shot, other external addition, sculpting, texturing, rendering, import & export, etc.

#21 Cheetah3D

Paid
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Cheetah3D is a 3D software for modeling, rendering, and animation. It is designed initially for amateur artists, and so it focuses on offering features for originating simple 3D scenes. Its selection of attributes is narrow but aimed to add in its usefulness and simplicity. For instance, it supports a range of geometric primitives, including polygon meshes and Bezier curves.

Its aspects also offer box modeling with subdivision surfaces. Additionally, it comes with simple animation support, including spline-based camera paths and targeted objects. The utility makes use of modern rendering settings that allow for antialiasing, retraced shadows, depth of field, HDRI, ambient occlusion, caustics lighting, soft shadowing, and photon-mapped caustics.

The technical features of Cheetah3D are best modeling tools, animation system, integrated industrial strength bullet physic engine, dynamics, UV editing, rendering, global illumination, scripting, file exchange (import & export of 3D models and animations), sharing of content, easy-to-use & earn, and much more.

#22 InkScape

Paid
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InkScape is a free, professional, and open source vertical graphics editor and is regarded as one of the best replacements for Autodesk 3ds Max, Adobe Illustrator, Corel DRAW, and Xara X. It is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

It is suitable for illustrators, designers, web designers, and those who want to create vector imagery. The core features of InkScape are flexible drawing tools, broad file format compatibility, powerful text tool, Bezier and Spiro curves, free availability, suitable for all, either beginner or professional, and many more.

InkScape is one of the best software for creating and editing vector graphics, including diagrams, charts, illustrations, logos, line arts, complex paintings, and much more types of designs and artworks. The best about InkScape is that it always welcomes the files of other like products as well. That’s why InkScape is considered as an application that supports import and export for almost all formats and allows them to be edited in InkScape.

#23 Autodesk Maya

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Autodesk Maya is developed and produced by Autodesk Inc. It is also known as simple Maya software and available to use on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It includes various Maya features as well that are parallel rig evaluation, sculpting toolset, adaptive foam in Bifrost, etc. It assists the graphic designers and architects in creating challenging digital animation products.

It is integrated with the various effects, extensible CG pipeline core. The other technical features of the product are dynamics & effects, 3D animation, 3D modeling, pipeline integration, 3D rendering & imaging, etc.

Autodesk Maya is regarded as the best one 3D modeling and rendering application that can be used for creating 3D apps such as video games, animated movies, TV series, visual effects, and much more. The recent version of the Autodesk Maya is the combination of two products, and now the joint functions of Autodesk Maya are fur, fluid effects, Bifrost, classic cloth, nHair, Maya Live, nCloth, etc.

#24 Cinema 4D

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Cinema 4D is a graphic editor for professional 3D editors and artists. It can be used for modeling, materials & textures, animation, sculpting, motion tracking, lighting & rendering, etc. Cinema 4D is the hallmark of MAXON for professional 3D artists and designers.

For those artists and designers who are looking for an advanced, high-tech, and professional studio to create jaw-dropping graphics instantly, then here is the Cinema 4D that is among the priority list of the top class designers.

The technical features of Cinema 4D are full rendering & modeling, comprehensive 3D editing, easy sculpting with various sculpting tools, python, written in C++, motion tracker, integration of pipelines, import & export for materials, workflow & interface, meatball enhancements, etc. Cinema 4D is integrated with the tools that provide the users with a comprehensive system of visualizing & broadcast, advanced character tools including a physics engine, client network for rendering, hair, and many more.

#25 K-3D

Free
0

K-3D is a graphics tool that offers seven different tools for designers. It is a free 3D modeling and animation tool for Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X. The interface of K-3D is straightforward and user-friendly that is very easy to understand and lets the professional and beginners do their task quickly and effectively.

It features a plug-in oriented procedural engine for all its content, making it a powerful package for editing. The other technical features of K-3D are multi-platform, workflow, viewing, modeling, animation, materials & textures, scripting, compositing, supported formats, etc.

In addition to the above features, then there is a comprehensive system for procedural and parametric workflows. The properties of K-3D can be adjusted interactively, and results appear immediately. The powerful and node-based visualization pipeline system of K-3D lets designers more possibilities as compared to the traditional modifiers and designing tools. K-3D gives the freedom to users to create combinations.

#26 Carrara

Paid
0

Carrara is an advanced and professional 3D computer graphics software integrated with those professional tools that assist the artists during editing, posing, nature modeling, animation, rendering, and texturing. The best about Carrara is that it is also an expert in dealing with dynamic hair & fur simulations, soft & rigid body dynamics, and particle effects. The other thing that makes the Carrara a choice for designers and artists is its support system for third party add-ons and plugins that make an addition to its default tools and features.

The list of available features in Carrara includes availability for Windows & Mac OS X, multi-threading system, bullet physics library, native DSON importer, editing of posed meshes, native AutoFit, sequencer, keyframing, animation tools, animation commands, general weight mapped figures, legacy parametric figures, keyboard shortcuts, 3D paint & UV editing/unfolding, vertex & symmetrical modeling, etc.

#27 BodyPaint 3D

Paid
0

BodyPaint 3D is a 3D painting tool by MAXON used for creating high-tech and professional-level unique sculptures and textures. The hassle-free texturing system lets designers and artists create quickly paint highly detailed textures directly on the 3D objects.

Such an excellent platform that is integrated with a comprehensive pack of sculpting tools that are for the convenience of users to make them able to transform a simple object into a detailed work of art. BodyPaint 3D is considered as the best 3D product because of its advanced texturing tools that include a variety of image editing tools, brushes, selection tools, erasers, filters, etc.

In addition to its default texturing tools, BodyPaint 3D can even utilize the Adobe Photoshop .abr brushes. Then there is a projection maintaining system that has kicked off the need to spend a lot of time on creating perfect UV maps. Paint whatever you like, and view it on the 3D model, apply the projection, and then BodyPaint 3D will automatically adjust the painting.

#28 MODO

Paid
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MODO is a next generation 3D content creator used for subdivision surface modeling, 3D painting, animation, sculpting, and rendering. It is a multiplatform application that is available for MS Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating system. Among various features, key modeling, key animation, and critical rendering are the main features.

MODO is regarded as the best solution to design exploration, video game content, character animation, and creating high-quality and high-tech advertising images. The solution has made the creation of digital content and designs easy and straightforward. MODO lets the designers and artists to freely explore the tools of MODO and maximize the quality of output.

The features of MODO are animation tools, presets system, rendering system, UVing, sculpting, rigging, painting, modeling, collaboration & customization, hair & fur, effects, retopology tools, tool pipe for creating customized tools, mesh instancing, dynamic parenting, layerable deformers, morph target animation, extensive file input & output, customizable user interface, etc.

#29 FaceGen

Paid
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FaceGen is a program for creating realistic 3D human faces by using one or more than one photograph. It lets designers adjust the gender, age, race, and many other identities of a genuine person by using the FaceGen. The Singular Inversions develop this 3D modeling middleware and 3D face-generating application.

FaceGen is available in the free and paid version. The free version includes almost the same features as of paid version except for some high level and advanced importing, exporting, and editing tools. FaceGen is used in crime branches for making the models of suspects.

The best about FaceGen is its ability to render accurate 3D models of people with far more options to choose from to create precise and detailed images. In addition to creating 3D faces of people and suspects, FaceGen is also used for research purposes in social psychology.

#30 3DCrafter

Paid
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3DCrafter, formerly known as 3D Canvas, is a 3D modeling and animation software designed and produced by the Amabilis Software. It is available for Windows operating system in three different versions, mainly – 3DCrafter, 3DCrafter Plus, and 3DCrafter Professional. 3DCrafter is an entirely free product.

However, the remaining 3DCrafter Plus and 3DCrafter Professional are paid versions. Most of the features of the Plus and Pro version are also part of 3DCrafter. It also offers import/export and other additional functions that are part of the Plus and Pro version only.

The best about 3DCrafter is that its interface is based on the drag and drop interface, making it a user-friendly 3D animation and modeling application. 3DCrafter is best for those who want to familiar with their self with 3D animation and modeling. 3DCrafter Plus is for those who want to create detailed models or create low-polygon models for game development. 3DCrafter Pro is an advanced version for full-fledged 3D modeling and animation.

#31 Wings 3D

Free
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Wings 3D is a free and open-source subdivision modeler and 3D computer graphics tool that is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems. It can be used to texture and model the low to mid-range polygon models. However, there is no support for animation in Wings 3D. It is integrated with rendering facilities and can export the files to other external rendering programs such as YafRay and POV-Ray.

The best about Wings 3D is that it can be used as a standalone application or in collaboration with other software like Blender for better rendering and animation. It is an entirely free application used for both personal and commercial purposes without any legal requirement.

The technical features of Wings 3D are selection & modeling tools, modeling tool support for magnet & vector operations, customizable hotkeys & interface, tweak mode for quick adjustments to a mesh, AutoUV mapping, Ngon mesh support, a comprehensive plugin infrastructure, etc.

#32 Sketchup

Free
0

Sketchup, formerly known as Google Sketchup, is a PC-based 3D modeling platform used for performing various types of architectural, interior design film, video game design, civil & mechanical engineering, and much more designing.

There are three different versions, such as simple Sketchup that is free, and the other two are paid versions, namely – Sketchup Makeup and Sketchup Pro. It is a platform where every type of designer finds almost all tools for their creative works. Sketchup is the library of several 3D models.

The other best thing about Sketchup is that in addition to being a customized application, it also supports various third-party add-ons and plug-ins that further extend the features and functions of Sketchup.

Either it is about creating 2D documents or 3D models, Sketchup is perfect for all. There is an online library of free model assemblies in Sketchup that includes doors, windows, automobiles, and much more. The user can also contribute by uploading their models.

#33 Autodesk Mudbox

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Autodesk Mudbox is a 3D sculpting and painting tool for Windows platforms designed by Autodesk. It is a computer-based high-resolution digital sculpting, texture, painting, and displacement platform for normal map creation and other designing purposes.

Integrated with the latest and advanced proven technologies, Autodesk Mudbox enables users to easily create high-resolution digital sculpting and texture maintenance. Moreover, Autodesk Mudbox can also be used as a design tool.

Most designers and developers like to use Autodesk Mudbox for their projects because of its intuitive 3D interface and environment that make them able to create movable cameras that can be bookmarked.

The other technical features of Autodesk Mudbox are the availability of 3D sculpting and painting tools, accessible workflow, best brush-based workflows, relax brush, sculpting falloff options, and professional & advanced digital sculpting toolset, etc.

#34 Deep Paint 3D

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Deep Paint 3D is a fantastic tool for painting and texturing 2D & 3D models instantly. The best is that it lets users transform 2D models into 3D models. Deep Paint 3D is a software for painting and texturing 2D and 3D models interactive in a 3D environment.

Deep Paint 3D works as both standalone and can be integrated with other workflows as well through plugin support for the existing DCC authoring tools and apps. The software designed for improving the quality of the video, file, or other types of interactive entertainment products.

The technical features of Deep Paint 3D are brushing cursor, print preview, stroke preview, pressure-sensitive digitalizing tablet support, export to Adobe Photoshop, splines, batch operations, lock paint layer, image stamp, and much more. Moreover, there is also an integration plugin for Adobe Photoshop that links the Deep Paint 3D with Adobe Photoshop.

#35 Autodesk 3ds Max

Paid
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Autodesk 3ds Max is a modeling, rendering, and animation software. It enables designers, architectures, graphics maker to customize, collaborate, and create 3D content instantly. The technical features of Autodesk 3ds Max are 3D text tool, Geodesic Voxel, and Heatmap skinning, max creation graph animation controllers, camera sequencer, dual quaternion skinning, populate crowd animation, fill enhancements, character animation & rigging tools, general animation tools, animated deformers, 3D modeling, dynamics & effects, workflow & pipeline and many more.

Autodesk Media develops Autodesk 3ds Max and is integrated with many functions like the modeling capabilities and a flexible plugin system. Autodesk 3ds Max is only available for Windows 7 and higher versions. In addition to 3D modeling and rendering, it is used by artists, designers, video game developers, TV commercial studios, architectural visualization studios, used in movie creation for movie effects and more pre-visualization purposes.

#36 CrazyTalk Animator

Free
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CrazyTalk Animator is the new way of creating 2D images that are the replacement of the traditional 2D graphics and animation system. It contains innovative tools that will make you able to apply the 3D motions easily to 2D characters. This 2D software is the fine combination of functional and best-drawing features from the auto lip-sync system to the facial puppet.

For its advanced features and functions, CrazyTalk Animator is said to be the best one replacement of the traditional 2D software. The integration of new features in the CrazyTalk Animator has introduced the new level of possibilities for editing the 2D motions and even view them from any angle with a single click.

It is combined with the basic features of the creative character animation system. This software is favorable for movie & video creators, educators & students, web & game designers, and artists & illustrators. Production environment, character creation, motion & animation, stage & SFX, and proper input & output system are the main features and functions in the CrazyTalk Animator.

The other advanced features and functions of the CrazyTalk Animator are the creation of custom multi-dimension characters from scratch, design characters, etc. This 2D software support for the 3D motion as well by way of iMotion format. It will allow you to connect with any 3D motion source.

#37 Spine

Paid
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Spine is a 2D animation program for game and software development. The programmers, artists, and animators should bring their projects alive. This program is designed for multiple users; however, gamers will remain at the primary edge because most of the features and tools listed here are for the assistance of the players.

It contains only those features that regarded as the must-have for getting an efficient workflow for creating amazing and best animation for the games. Smaller in size, art requirements, smoothness, attachments of images, mixing of animations, and procedural animation are the best advantages of the Spine.

Some of the great features are dope sheet for best animation, free-form deformation for moving the individual mesh vertices, graph editors for Bezier curves, and inverse kinematics for defining animating using inverse kinematics. It also offers export formats in various formats, skins for allowing switching between sets of attachments, bounding boxes, texture packer to pack images into a texture atlas or sprite sheets, meshes for specifying a polygon inside your image, etc.

Designing amazing animations is still a problem in much 2D software. You need to render those animations in your games. The libraries in the Spine will provide you a toolkit to load and make animations in the games.

#38 Sculptris

Paid
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Sculptris is a virtual sculpting tool designed for beginners to experts. It comes for entering into the world of digital sculpting and involving yourself to create the best products. The two main functions are the availability of 3D sculpting and 3D painting in addition to others. Sculptris is developed on the concept of modeling clay, and its focus is entirely on the same idea.

Sculptris lets designers and artists pull, pinch, push, and twist the virtual clay to make what they want. The other best thing about Sculptris is its user-friendly relation external environment, and that is the import of 3D meshed (.obj) into the Sculptris for further detailing generation normal and displacement maps.

Sculpting, dynamic tessellation, UV texture painting, and cavity painting are its primary functions. The list of technical features includes easy-to-use, ZBrush navigation controls, free moving navigation, hotkeys toggled on/off the system, various plugins for advanced projects, immersive interface, optimizing brushes, etc.

#39 ShapeShop

Paid
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ShapeShop is an advanced and professional 3D design and modeling application that comes with an easy-to-use and user-friendly interface. It enables users to create sketch-based shape creation and editing tools to translate the ideas into a 3D shape.

ShapeShop is a sketch-based shape creation and editing tool that lets designers and artists transform their virtual idea into a 3D form. The best about ShapeShop is that it has a drag and drop system that makes the texturing simpler as compared to other programs. The advanced technology used by ShapeShop is the state-of-the-art technology that enables the designers to drag-and-drop the 3D parts directly to assemble a seamless and smooth surface quickly.

The involvement of procedural modeling means that the user can easily create the meshes at any resolution they need, like NURBS or SubDs. The advanced decal texturing tools of ShapeShop also supports the simple drag-and-drop interaction as well.

#40 3D-Coat

Paid
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3D-Coat is an application for PBR, voxel sculpting, retopology, and UV-mapping. It is used to render and enable texturing with smart and fully designed materials — 3d-coat for creating free-form organic and hard surfaced 3D models from rough ideas and scratches.

The tools let users sculpt, add polygonal topology, create UV maps, texture the resulting models with natural painting tools, and also render the static, animated, or images turntable movies. The best about 3D-Coat is that it can modify imported 3D models from various commercial 3D software products by using plugins titled App links.

Moreover, it can be converted into voxel objects or refinement and for adding more high-resolution details, UV mapping & wrapping, bump maps, specular color maps, diffuse color maps, adding textures for displacement, and much more.

#41 DigiCel FlipBook

Free
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DigiCel FlipBook is one of the best animation tools that has made this process really easy and simple. You can use this animation software to develop your projects. It has made animation easier to learn because it is easy to use and designed on the best systems’ principles. Its simple interface makes it easier for the users to learn different animation creation tips.

It is designed for professionals and beginners likewise. You don’t need to remember the complicated steps as it offers a step-by-step guide for its users, even for complex projects. You can focus on your animation instead of this software, and you will see results with amazing creativity. It will print your animation quickly and easily with features that go-to point and click to fill every little spot in the frame.