2D Skeleton Animation Software
2D skeleton animation software is typically used to create and edit complex animations where characters and other graphic objects are controlled through a skeletal system. By using bone rigging, models can be made to move and come to life, along with the rendering of 3D textures and HDRI environmental lighting, resulting in stunning animations! Below are some commonly used 2D skeleton animation software options that you might find appealing.
1. Spine:
Spine is a highly popular 2D skeleton animation tool that boasts rich bone tools, animation editors, and special effects capabilities. It offers a user-friendly interface for managing animation frames, supports importing PSD/PNG images, and converting them into 2D animated characters with bones.
2. DragonBones:
DragonBones is a free 2D skeleton animation tool that includes a skeleton animation editor and a set of related development libraries. It was originally designed to address the inefficiencies in the animation workflow for mobile game development while allowing for vivid animations with smaller asset sizes.
3. Anima2D:
Anima2D is a Unity engine plugin for creating 2D skeleton animations within Unity.
4. Spriter:
Spriter is a game graphics creation tool based on skeletal animation, supporting the import of images and organizing them into animatable characters.
5. Esoteric Software's 2D Animation Tools:
Esoteric Software offers two powerful 2D skeleton animation tools: Spine and Creature. While both of these software options come with a price tag, they offer a wealth of professional-grade features.
6. Papagayo:
Papagayo is primarily used for lip sync animation but can also serve as a basic 2D skeleton animation tool.
7. Stykz:
Stykz is a free 2D skeleton animation software, ideal for creating simple linear and looping animations.
8. Synfig Studio:
Synfig Studio is an open-source 2D animation software. While its primary focus is on vector animation, it also supports some skeletal animation features.
9. Toon Boom Harmony:
Toon Boom Harmony is one of the industry-standard professional 2D animation software options. Although it primarily caters to traditional hand-drawn animation, it includes skeletal animation capabilities as well.
These software options offer various features, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs, budget, and comfort level with complexity of operation. Some of them provide free trial versions for you to evaluate before making a purchase.