I wanted to provide a list of free tools and resources for you to get introduced to the world of creating motion graphics without the steep price tags that come with a lot of the professional programs such as Cinema 4D, Maya, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, and other industry standard programs. In this post we'll take a look at a lot of really cool programs such as Davinci Resolve, Open Toonz, Unreal Engine, Blender and more!!
Hit Film Express:
A great video editing and visual effects software that includes advanced compositing and motion graphics features. There are also many packs and add-ons for additional effects and tools such as
They also sell packs and bundles that include additional add on effects.
Hit Film has 3 different plans: Free, Creator and Pro
Free - Includes Hit Film FREE, 127 Visual Effects (360* Video Effects, Audio Effects, Blurs, Keying and Transitions, Unlimited Exports to HD
Creator ($7/mo) - Hit Film CREATOR, Imerge Creator (Image Editor), 127 Visual Effects (Animation Effects, 360* Video Effects, Audio Effects, Blurs, Keying and Transitions, Unlimited Exports to 4K HD
Pro ($12.99/mo) - Hit Film PRO, Imerge Pro, Mocha HitFilm, BorisFX 3D Objects, Foundry 3D Camera Tracker, Unlimited exports up to 8K
Compare the Features for each of the Hit Film Versions here:
Davinci Resolve:
Davinci resolve is a professional grade video editing software that also has robust motion graphics and visual effects capabilities. It is slowly earning respect in the industry for its color grading interface. The software is free and comes with pretty much everything you need to get into video editing. Then for $295 you can purchase the whole software which includes:
Here is a complete list of the differences between the Free and Paid versions:
Blender:
Blender is a powerful open source 3-D creation suite that includes a video editor, a sculpting workspace, rigging and more. It is a great program for complex motion graphics. In addition, it is also surrounded by an amazing community. You can find many add-ons, plugins, and resources all catering to the Blender World. There is also a massive amount of tutorials and videos online to help you.
With its Geometry Nodes and brand new Simulation Nodes.
Unreal Engine:
Unreal Engine (UE) provides a real-time rendering environment that allows users to create stunning and dynamic animations. Its advanced graphics capabilities, including realistic lighting, shading, and particle systems, make it well-suited for motion graphics projects.
Real-Time Rendering: Unreal Engine provides high-quality real-time rendering, allowing developers and creators to see immediate results as they work on their projects.
Blueprint Visual Scripting: A node-based scripting system called Blueprint allows designers and artists to create game logic and interactivity without extensive coding.
Advanced Graphics: Unreal Engine is known for its stunning graphics capabilities, including realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections, making it suitable for creating visually immersive experiences.
Virtual Production: Unreal Engine has been widely used in film and television for virtual production, enabling the integration of real actors into virtual environments in real time.
Cross-Platform Development: It supports the development of games and applications for various platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and virtual reality (VR).
Animation and Cinematics: Unreal Engine offers robust tools for creating animations and cinematics, making it suitable for storytelling and cinematic experiences.
Physics Simulation: It includes a physics engine that enables realistic interactions between objects, characters, and the environment.
Asset Marketplace: Unreal Marketplace provides a wide range of assets, including 3D models, textures, animations, and plugins, allowing developers to accelerate their workflow.
VR and AR Support: Unreal Engine has strong support for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) development, making it a popular choice for creating immersive experiences.
Community and Documentation: A large and active community, along with extensive documentation and tutorials, makes Unreal Engine accessible for developers and creators of varying skill levels.
Natron:
Natron is an open source compositor for visual graphics, and motion graphics it’s noded base, which in itself has a bit of a learning curve but it provides advanced features for compositing. It supports both 2D and stereoscopic 3D compositing, offering a range of tools for tasks like color correction, keying, tracking, and more. As an open-source program, Natron is freely available for users to download, use, and modify. It's a versatile tool used by visual effects artists, animators, and filmmakers for creating professional-level composites and animations.
Synfig Studio:
Synfig studio is a 2-D animation software that allows you to create vector-based motion graphics. It features a robust set of tools for character rigging, frame-by-frame animation, and special effects. Using a bone system, Synfig allows users to create complex character movements with ease. The software uses a layer-based approach, which allows artists to organize and control different elements in their animations efficiently.
Pencil, 2-D Animation:
Pencil 2-D is a simple and intuitive 2-D animation tool although it’s usually used for hand drawn animation can be used for very basic motion graphics. It allows users to sketch out frame-by-frame animations, offering essential drawing and animation tools. With support for both bitmap and vector graphics, it's a software that includes features such as layers, onion skinning, and a timeline for organizing and editing animations efficiently.
Open Toonz:
OpenToonz is a free and open-source 2D animation software that provides a comprehensive platform for creating animated content. It is widely used by animators, artists, and enthusiasts for various types of 2D animation projects.
Key features of OpenToonz include:
Traditional Animation Tools: OpenToonz supports traditional hand-drawn animation techniques, allowing artists to create frame-by-frame animations.
Vector Animation: It incorporates vector-based drawing tools, enabling users to create scalable and smooth animations.
Node-Based Compositing: OpenToonz uses a node-based interface for compositing, allowing users to organize and manipulate elements in their animation through a visual node graph.
Timeline Editing: The software provides a timeline for managing keyframes, sequences, and timing in the animation.
Effects and Filters: OpenToonz includes a variety of effects and filters that users can apply to enhance their animations.
Integration with Other Software: It supports the import and export of various file formats, making it compatible with other animation and graphics software.
Krita:
Krita is a free and open-source digital painting software, and it also includes animation features. It allows users to create frame-by-frame animations and supports both traditional hand-drawn animation techniques and digital animation workflows.
It features a user-friendly interface with essential drawing tools, layers, and a timeline for organizing and editing animations. Artists can sketch, paint, and animate within the same application, making it a versatile tool for those who want to explore both static artwork and dynamic animations. Krita Animation is suitable for animators, illustrators, and digital artists looking for a comprehensive solution that integrates painting and animation capabilities.
Pow Toon:
Powtoon is an online animation platform that allows users to create animated presentations and videos. While Powtoon offers various products, including Powtoon for Presentation and Powtoon for Video, the animator you mentioned is likely associated with creating animated content using Powtoon.
Key features of Powtoon Animator include:
User-Friendly Interface: Powtoon provides a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible for users without extensive animation experience.
Templates: The platform offers a range of pre-designed templates that users can customize for their specific needs. These templates cover various themes and styles.
Animation Elements: Powtoon provides a library of animated characters, objects, backgrounds, and transitions that users can use to enhance their presentations or videos.
Voiceovers and Music: Users can add voiceovers and background music to their animations, allowing for a more dynamic and engaging multimedia experience.
Text and Typography: Powtoon allows users to add text with various fonts and styles, enhancing the visual appeal of the animations.
Export Options: Once the animation is complete, users can export their creations in different formats, including video files or presentations that can be shared online.
Crello:
Crello is an online graphic design tool that provides users with a platform to create visually appealing designs for various purposes. It offers a range of templates and design elements, making it accessible for individuals, businesses, and organizations looking to create engaging visual content without extensive design skills. Here are some key features and aspects of Crello:
Templates: Crello offers a diverse collection of templates for different types of visual content, including social media posts, presentations, posters, flyers, and more. These templates serve as starting points for users to customize and adapt to their specific needs.
Design Elements: The platform provides a library of design elements such as illustrations, icons, photos, and backgrounds. Users can easily drag and drop these elements into their designs, enhancing the overall visual appeal.
Text Tools: Crello includes text editing tools that allow users to add and customize text in their designs. This includes a variety of fonts, styles, and formatting options.
Animation Features: While I don't have specific details about a feature called "Crello Animator," Crello has been known to offer animation features. Users may be able to create animated designs or presentations with dynamic elements.
Ease of Use: Crello is designed to be user-friendly, catering to individuals who may not have extensive design experience. The intuitive interface allows users to navigate easily and create professional-looking designs.
Export Options: Once a design is completed, users can export their work in various formats, including image files suitable for social media sharing or printing.
Subscription Plans: While Crello offers free access, it also provides subscription plans with additional features and resources for users who require more advanced design capabilities.
It's important to note that features and offerings may evolve, so checking the official Crello website or contacting their support for the most up-to-date information is recommended.
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