Photo Animation Software For Mac

  1. Free Photo Animation Software For Mac
  2. Photo Animation Software For Mac Computer
  3. Mac Animation Free
  4. Animation Software For Mac Free
  • May 25, 2020  The Mac animation programs supports two types of layers, namely anime songs and sound, bitmap images, camera and vector images, which makes it easy to adjust frame timing. A big bonus feature of the free 2D animation software for Mac.
  • Without any programming skills, you can add photo animations to your photos in minutes. We’ve added new animations under Spark Post‘s effects on mobile for you to choose from. Check out the below images to see Spark's photo animation examples.

Download and install the best free apps for Animation Software on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android from CNET Download.com, your trusted source for the top software picks.

Video is a powerful marketing tool.

85 percent of internet users watch video content at least once a month. And people want more.

In fact, 54 percent of folks think brands should be putting more video content out there.


Putting out video content isn’t always easy. Maybe you’re running low on ideas. Or maybe you’re camera shy. Or you don’t have the necessary equipment — not to mention the budget to acquire it.

Luckily, there are some handy free tools you can use.

Yep, you can make animated videos for free (minus your time investment, of course).

Check out some of the best free animation software for beginners and experts, and everyone in between.

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Post Contents

Animaker

Platforms: web browser-based

Animaker is a free animation software for beginners, with easy drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive interface to match. There are six core types of videos you can make with Animaker:

  1. 2D
  2. Infographics
  3. Handcraft
  4. Whiteboard
  5. 2.5D
  6. Typography


Including full HD support, both horizontal and vertical video layouts, and pre-made graphics to choose from, you can create fun, animated videos in no time.

Audio features include text-to-speech, the option to add background music and sound effects, and voiceover. You can choose from Animaker’s library of sounds or upload your own tunes.

If you want to pay for the pro version, you can also get advanced features: in-app camera, multimove, curves, transition effects, and enter/exit effects. It’s like all those PowerPoint animations except cool and not so cheesy.

Blender

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

Use Blender if you’re looking for the best video animation software for pro editors and creators. The free open-source 3D animation tool supports the “modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, video editing, and 2D animation pipeline.” The platform is a public project, and creatives from all over the world contribute to its ongoing maintenance.

Let’s talk features.

  • Rendering: Cycles is Blender’s ray-trace based production render engine, FreeStyle is an edge- and line-based non-photorealistic (NPR) rendering engine, and real-time feedback speeds up the editing process.
  • Modeling: Blender’s modeling tools include sculpting, retopology, modeling, curves, and more to help with editing models.
  • Sculpting: Digital sculpting tools flexible for each stage of the digital production pipeline.
  • Animation and rigging: These tools include a character animation pose editor, Non Linear Animation (NLA) for independent movements, IK forward/inverse kinematics for fast poses, and sound synchronization.
  • Grease pencil: Draw directly in 3D and combine 2D/3D art.
  • VFX: From camera and object motion tracking to masking and compositing, there are lots of fixes you can make in post-prod.
  • Simulation: Create simulations for fog, smoke, rain, fire, liquid, and more.
  • Pipeline:Choose from a long list of import/export options.
  • Video editing: A built-in video editor allows for basic actions like video cuts and splicing and more complex tasks like video masking or color grading.

Yeah, that’s a lot. Blender is a comprehensive tool. And it’s all free.

Editor’s note:We also review Blender, along with 21 other video-editing tools, in this review.

K-3D

Platforms: Windows, Linux

K-3D is a free 3D animation software specializing in polygonal modeling, an approach to digital graphics that represents and approximates object surfaces using polygons. Designed for artists, the software combines plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture — it adapts to the look and feel of the tools you integrate it with.

Get started with their Wiki tutorials, showing you how to master features like texturing, shadows, and symmetric modeling.

One of its best features? Easy undo/redo functionality, so you can quickly fix a mistake. Most programs only offer the option to undo an action.

With both procedural and parametric workflows, you can make adjustments and see the change immediately. A node-based visualization pipeline means editors can create connections and combinations for different elements within the video. You can work on one side of a model and mirror the other side to see what it looks like welded together.

K-3D is an advanced tool for true creatives.

OpenToonz

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

OpenToonz is one of the top free animation software for 2D videos. The open-source software is free for both commercial and non-commercial use, so you can use it to create marketing videos for your brand.

It’s also packed with features, such as:

  • Digital drawing tools: vector and bitmap drawing tools
  • Indexed color palettes: quick paint and color changing
  • Effects and compositing: animated special effects and composite scenes — choose from blurs, lighting, keys, masks, warps, and more than 100 other effects
  • Scripting: automations via ECMA-compatible scripting engine
  • Motion tracking: combine your animation with video footage
  • Scan and cleanup: create vectors from paper drawings
  • Frame-by-frame animation: with configurable onionskin
  • Motion tweening: link objects or use motion paths to execute complex movements
  • Bones character animation: with IK support and mesh deformations
  • Particle systems: for rain, dust, and similar effects

You can make some pretty advanced animations with this tool.

COULD MAYBE EMBED AN EXAMPLE HERE https://twitter.com/hashtag/opentoonz some ideas:

If you run into issues using the free animation software, you can always turn to the user community or developer forum.

Pencil2D Animation

Mac

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Pencil2D is a simple animation software you can use to create hand-drawn 2D videos. The open-source software is free for both personal and commercial use, so you can use it just for fun or to create videos to promote your products.

The interface is simple and easy to use. That, along with tons of tutorials on the website and forums you can join, makes it a great option to start with.

Other features:

  • Image and audio import
  • Switch between raster and vector workflows so you can sketch, ink, and paint
  • Adjust frame rate
  • Add distortion and lighting effects
  • Onion skinning
  • Toolbar customizations
  • Pressure sensitivity
  • Multiple export formats

Plastic Animation Paper

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Plastic Animation Paper (PAP) is a free animation software for PC, Mac, and Linux. Though its interface is outdated, the software is completely free to download and use. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

With PAP, you can create hand-drawn 2D animations, while seeing your edits in real time. The editing experience itself can be clunky, but it’s easy for beginners to learn and become familiar with. It’s a sufficient tool for basic animated videos.

Feature highlights include basic drawing tools, zoom, rotation, cutouts, layers, and more.

Soon, PAP’s creator will release a new, more advanced program for $79, Animation Paper.

Best suited for skilled animators, Animation Paper will help animators create 2D graphics from hand-drawn illustrations, along with a long list of features:

  • Small and large format frames
  • Real-time, smooth rotation and zoom, along with multiple options for flipping
  • Advanced and customizable onion skinning
  • Layers and lasso
  • High-quality lines and stabilization
  • Coloring and paint
  • Real-time full frame reference on a second monitor for quick editing

When you’re done creating your animated video, export options include .mp4, .mov, and .png or .svg frame stacks.

Powtoon

Platforms: web browser-based

The next video animation software that’s free is Powtoon, meant for dynamic video presentations. While there are paid options with advanced features, Powtoon also has a stripped-down free tool for videos up to three minutes long.

In addition to what’s listed above, Powtoon’s free software also has:

  • Custom styles
  • Change aspect ratios and sizes
  • YouTube, Facebook, Wistia, Vimeo, PowerPoint, and PDF export
  • Full video, animation, GIF, and image file implementation

It’s a great tool for beginners, with several professional-looking templates to choose from, including animated explainer and infographic-style videos, as well as templates built specifically for product promotion. You can also start from scratch or import a theme from PowerPoint.

Stykz

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Stykz is one of the easiest animation software to use. With it, you can make basic 2D stick figure animated videos, like this one:

And this one:

Pretty basic, but totally free.

Stykz is frame-based, meaning you work on one individual frame at a time. It uses onionskins so you can see the previous frame and how to two flow together.

All edits are done within the “Stage” — in other words, you make your edits and view your changes within the same window. No toggling between views needed.

Edit one or multiple stick objects, fill shapes, and import your own stick figures. Everything will auto-save as you go, so you don’t need to worry about losing all your hard work.

Synfig Studio

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

The next free video animation online is Synfig Studio, an open-source platform for creating 2D animated videos. With it, you use vector graphics to create timeline-based animations.

Like OpenToonz, it offers a bone system for animation controls so you can create natural movements. Create cutout animation using bitmap images or control your vector artwork, and use the additional Skeleton Distortion layer for complex deformations to bitmap artwork.

Advanced features include linking parameters for layers, allowing you to build character puppets and other advanced dynamic structures. It’s certainly not made for beginners, so turn to an easier option to get started before upgrading to Synfig’s advanced feature set. There are plenty of video tutorials to help you get used to the program.

Here’s an example of a fun animated short created with Synfig Studio:

Toontastic 3D

Platforms: Android, iOS

Google’s own free animation software for Android, Toontastic 3D is meant for kids, but brands can also use it to make animated 3D videos. Ideal for storytelling, you get started with Toontastic by creating your own characters, either from scratch or based off an uploaded photo. Then it’s time to insert your characters into a story.

Toontastic is meant to encourage budding storytellers to get create with their narratives, and brands can do the same. Plan your storyline, animate, add narration and music, and then export it to share it with the world.

Your storyline is based on Toontastic templates, each with a different number of scenes. Toontastic also has premade scenes to choose from, so the only “drawing” you need to do is when it comes to the characters.

If it sounds like a lot of steps, Google says you can create a one-minute video with up to six scenes in just a minute — though that doesn’t include the time it takes to create your characters upfront. It also works offline so you can create videos on your daily commute or when the WiFi’s out.

If you’re looking for more control and creative flexibility, Toontastic isn’t the best option. It’s best-suited for those who are very new to the world of animated videos. Soon you’ll graduate to one of the others on this list!

Honorable Mentions

Animation
  1. DigiCel FlipBook (note that the free version includes watermark)

Summary

The best free animation software really depends on your skill level, your hardware, and the types of videos you want to make. In sum:

  1. Animaker: simple, browser-based animation software for beginners, with paid upgrades available
  2. Blender: advanced open-source 3D animation software for people with video experience
  3. K-3D: 3D animation software with polygonal modeling
  4. OpenToonz: 2D animation software with a long list of features for proficient or expert video folks
  5. Pencil2D: hand-drawn, 2D animated videos with a simple interface that’s beginner-friendly but loaded with features
  6. Plastic Animation Paper: helpful for incorporating hand-drawn characters into 2D animated videos
  7. Powtoon: great for creating simple, three-minute explainer or infographic videos in presentation-style format
  8. Stykz: beginner-friendly, stick-figured based 2D animation software
  9. Synfig Studio: robust software for creating vector-based animated videos with advanced character control
  10. Toontastic 3D: for people who are very new to creating animated videos; meant for kids but can create simple, storytelling- and character-based videos for brands as well

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Free Photo Animation Software For Mac

Want to Learn More?

Alexandra is a B2B copywriter and content strategist whose work has earned awards from the Content Marketing Institute and Custom Content Council. She writes about retail, ecommerce and business for brands like Shopify, Wave, and Vend POS.
  • January 02, 2020
  • 30 min to read

Before you can upload your images to your personal blog, social media page or website, it is key that you first edit your images. Nowadays this is a step that you cannot afford to skip if you want your photos to be taken seriously. In fact, as there is such a wide range of software solutions on the market, there is no reason why you should skip this important step.

[Top10] Good Photo Editing Software for Beginners - Windows/ Mac

  1. Luminar 4
  2. Photolemur
  3. Adobe Lightroom
  4. Aurora HDR
  5. AirMagic
  6. Adobe Photoshop
  7. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate
  8. Serif Affinity Photo
  9. ON1 Photo RAW
  10. PortraitPro

Though, seeing that users are spoilt for choice, to find the best photo editing tools that will boost your current set of skills can be quite a challenge. If you thought that Adobe Photoshop is the only photo editing software, you would be mistaken. Nowadays there are many much simpler software solutions too! The following are some of the best photo editing software that both professional and beginner photographers should check out.

1. Luminar (7-day Trial)

If you need a photo editing tool to get the job done in a flash, Skylum Luminar can help you to take your photos to new heights. It boasts a really useful AI slider that lets you play around with clarity, brightness and much more. There are also exclusive filters such as the Orton and Sunrays filters that you will absolutely love.

In fact, this software can give Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop a run for their money. Speaking of which, as you only have to pay a fixed fee once (eliminating those annoying monthly subscription payments), it makes sense why Skylum Luminar has become so popular amongst professional photographers. That being said, if you prefer to use Photoshop or Lightroom, it also boasts a plug-in that you will find quite handy.

2. Photolemur (Free version with watermark)

Photolemur is another photo editing software solution that realizes no photographer or designer has any time to waste behind a screen. With the help of AI and very sophisticated algorithms, this photo enhancer app will analyze all the necessary details and complete intricate adjustments on the spot.

All you have to do is just import your images to Photolemur and leave the rest to the app. The beauty of this tool is that you do not need any prior photo editing experience to complete basic things like getting rid of skin blemishes, whitening teeth or creating perfectly smooth skin as the app will automatically improve your images. Some of its other impressive features include sky enhancement, exposure compensation, color recovery and foliage enhancement. It is really easy to use (you can even enhance multiple photos at the same time) and compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

3. Adobe Lightroom(7-day Trial)

When Adobe Photoshop is too advanced for those straightforward touch-ups, Adobe Lightroom will be more suited for the task at hand. As a matter of fact, the fact that it is not as complicated as Photoshop is the whole beauty of Adobe Lightroom.

Some of its excellent features include: customizable sliders, gradient and brush adjustments, presets, blurring tools and other professional filters. Plus, you can use it with multiple devices and to help you keep your photos organized it uses face detection. All things considered, with this wide range of functional features and its easy-to-use interface, you can create just as remarkable photos with Lightroom.

4. Aurora HDR(7-day Trial)

Aurora HDR can either be used as a stand-alone app or Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom plug-in. Boasting more than 80 looks, you can transform your photos instantly to deliver first-class final results. Some of its more sophisticated features that professional photographers will welcome include masking and layers, blending modes, powerful batch processing and support for RAW files.

On top of that, it also offers exclusive tools like HDR Denoise and HDR Smart Structure. The Denoise feature will automatically identify any noise and remove it while still retaining all the details, while the latter tool is a slider that uses AI to create astonishing depth.

5. AirMagic(7-day Trial)

No photo editing software list will be complete without including a solution for drone photography. Similar to Photolemur, AirMagic uses sophisticated algorithms and artificial intelligence to enhance your aerial photography automatically. This drag-and-drop photo editing app boasts many unique features that help you to get rid of haze, improve the colours, enhance the sky and bring detail to the fore. As haze is unfortunately a common issue with drone photography, getting rid of haze is a must-have feature. After you have applied these unique features, you can also play around with different creative styles eliminating the need to purchase extra filters.

AirMagic can be used either as an Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom plug-in or stand-alone app. Plus, it can identify the type of camera that you have attached to your drone and adjust its lense corrections and enhancements to that particular camera.

6. Adobe Photoshop(7-day Trial)

You are most likely already very familiar with Adobe Photoshop. It is arguably the best known photo editing tool that countless photographers and designers rely on and is aimed at professionals that require all the extra features.

Its layering, masking and retouching features are still arguably the best and ideal for those advanced touch-up jobs. It also offers a wide range of brushes and filters, three-dimensional design functionality and multilayer editing. If you are searching for photo editing software, you can rest assured that Adobe’s products are really superior.

7. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate (Free or Full version with 30-day moneyback option)

Do not let the oversimplified interface of ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate fool you as it can still get any job done. This comprehensive photography software is still relatively new on the market and boasts a couple of useful features. Two of its best features are that it uses facial recognition to organize and index your photos and there is no need to import. This means that you can edit your source file directly from your drive.

8. Serif Affinity Photo

This vector graphic design app has very similar features to the popular Adobe Photoshop and shares identical interfaces. For an affordable once-off fee, you can access professional tools similar to the likes of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for editing your photos.

Photo Animation Software For Mac Computer

9. ON1 Photo RAW

Similar to Skylum Luminar and Aurora HDR, ON1 Photo RAW also offers an add-on for Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Plus, it is compatible with whichever operating system you prefer to use.

All you have to do is download it to your device and install it to unlock countless custom presets, borders, textures and stackable filters. All things considered, it is a comprehensive photo editing tool that enables you to improve your photos quickly.

10. PortraitPro

If your niche is portrait photography, PortraitPro is the tool you should give a go. This professional image editor app boasts all the features you require to remove wrinkles, sagging cheeks and other skin imperfections, enhance skin tone and add eyeshadows. Some of its other features include make-up tools, sliders, skin smoothing and sophisticated layering.

11. Corel PaintShop Pro

Photographers who value simplicity will really like Corel PaintShop Pro (and if you still get stuck, you can rest assured as there are learning tutorials available as well). That being said, do not let its simple approach to photo editing fool you as it does not make its editing capability any less effective.

This software boasts everything you require to enhance your pics from AI enhanced presets to graphic design templates to options such as blur and fix. Plus, if the wide range of brushes, textures and backgrounds do not float your boat, do not dismiss the software just yet as brand new features are being added continuously. Overall, it really offers some of the best user experiences.

12. DxO Optics Pro 10

It does not matter if Windows or Mac is your preferred operating system, DxO Optics Pro 10 works equally well with both. It boasts a suite of tools and features such as automatic and manual mode, customized profiles, optical corrections and U-point local adjustment technology. All things considered, it is a reliable tool that professional photographers can use to edit their photos and convert their RAW files to JPG format without any issues.

13. Inkscape

Just like DxO Optics Pro 10, Inkscape is also compatible with both Mac as well as Windows operating systems. What is more, you can use its source code if you would prefer to use it in your very own application.

It is ideal for aspiring photographers and boast a great number of features such as copy-paste object cloning, decorative handwriting tools, and a colour picker. It also supports multiple text formats and offers available extensions and add-ons. With the help of these tools, it is real easy to clone an object, overlay text or add a specific colour to your pics.

14. Capture One

This RAW image editor boasts some features that set it apart from the other software solutions available. For starters, if you need to work with big volumes of photos that are more than 20 megapixel RAW files, you will be impressed with its speed. What is more, to help you work more efficiently, the interface boasts some great customizability which means that you can change the keyboard shortcuts and layout to suit your preferences better.

If you often work with layers, you will also love the fact that it does not become slower when you have too many layers. Plus, it lets you make several adjustments per layer.

Some of its other fabulous features that will help you to work more efficiently are its sophisticated color editing and annotations. Its sliders make it much easier to tweak the granularity, while the annotations feature lets you jot down ideas to ensure that you can collaborate smoothly with other photographers and designers.

15. Fotor

Fotor is another photo editing software solution that boasts an intuitive interface. Some of its main features include: design templates, filters, HDR effects, and portrait retouching. Alternatively, if you are looking to create a bit more informal design, there are countless shapes, fonts and stickers that you can play around with. And, when you feel as if your creative juices are running low, you can save your design and continue editing from where you last stopped.

This well-known cloud-based software boasts more than 300 million users already. Surely millions of users cannot be wrong? You simply need to upload your pics to their site and you are all set to begin the editing process.

16. Pixlr Editor

If you have grown accustomed to Adobe Photoshop, but are exploring alternatives, be sure to try out Pixlr Editor. With this online photo editing software, you can add an image to a blank canvas and come up with one-of-a-kind effects. Some of its other main features include overlays, filters and more than two million effects free of charge. If you prefer to use an app, rest assured you can download it to your mobile device or desktop as an app. At the end of the day, if you are not entirely impressed with the features and options offered by Pixlr Editor, you can upgrade to another version (there are various to choose from) that offers more sophisticated options.

17. Gimp

This free professional software for editing photos is another excellent Photoshop alternative for beginners. It boasts a variety of features that can assist novices with digital photo retouching and composition. With the help of features like vignette and corrective mode, you can also take your photos of any file format to the next level.

If this sounds like the photo editing software solution for your needs, all you have to do is download it and install it on your device (it is compatible with Linux, Windows and Mac operating systems). Plus, thanks to its built-in file manager, file management will be one less thing on your to-do list.

18. Snappa

Snappa is a great solution for photographers who work with social media platforms on a regular basis. It lets you convert pics into Facebook banners and share images on different social media sites.

In short, it is a graphics and design software that enables you to add new effects (such as texts or graphics) to your photos in a flash or change the dimensions easily with the help of image dimension templates. Alternatively, if you are searching for some inspiration or running out of time, you will be glad to know that there are also stock photos available and a useful drag-and-drop photo editing feature. As the software is available online, users do not first have to download something in order to start designing.

Mac Animation Free

19. PicMonkey

If you are searching for a more comprehensive graphic design solution as opposed to just photo editing features, PicMonkey is the perfect pick. With this package, you can create collages, edit your photos, crop and add touch-ups to mention only a couple of its features.

It is the ideal software solution to help you take your design skills to a more advanced level and unleash your creativity. Some of its other main features are basic filters, blank canvas design, and templates. Plus, if you regularly have to work with the different social media platforms, you will love its automatic sizing feature.

20. Canva

Animation Software For Mac Free

Canva is another easy-to-use graphics and design software that you have most likely heard about before. Trusted my millions, it boasts various tools and features to help you edit your photos. Whether you simply want to crop or straighten a photo or want to get creative with textures, fonts, badges and stickers, Canva can help. Some of its other features include vignette, photo blur, a speech bubble maker, an image transparency tool, photo frames and design grids.

Though, if you do not know where to start, be sure to visit the Canva Marketplace where you can find more than 8000 templates. Its basic features are available free of charge, but the more advanced features must be paid for. If you need to edit on the go, you will be happy to know that you can download it to your smartphone. All things considered, it is one of the best resources if you need to come up with visual content that you can use on your website or personal blog. Thanks to its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, you do not need to be a professional photographer to take advantage of all its features.

Easiest Photo Editing Software for Beginners

With the right photo editing software, you can turn any photo into a masterpiece. Whether you want to highlight an important object, bring more focus to your pic or just want to reduce the size of your photo files to improve the loading speed of a website, there is the right photo editing tool for the job and your skills.