Top 9 Software for Creating Your Own Animated Series

Creating your own animated series can be an exciting venture and there are several software options available that cater to different levels of expertise and animation styles. Here are some popular choices to help you get started.

Adobe Animate

Type: 2D Animation
Features: Vector graphics timeline-based animation and a robust set of drawing tools. Perfect for traditional animation and web animations.
Best For: Professional animators and those familiar with Adobe products.

Toon Boom Harmony

Type: 2D Animation
Features: Comprehensive tools for both frame-by-frame animation and rigging. Used in many professional studios.
Best For: Serious animators looking to produce high-quality work.

Blender

Type: 3D Animation, also supports 2D
Features: Complete suite for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing. It includes Grease Pencil for 2D animation.
Best For: Those interested in both 3D and 2D animation and it’s free and open-source.

OpenToonz

Type: 2D Animation
Features: Open-source software based on Toonz used for traditional animation techniques and digital workflows.
Best For: Indie animators and those seeking free alternatives.

TVPaint Animation

Type: 2D Animation
Features: Bitmap-based software with a focus on traditional animation techniques.
Best For: Artists who prefer a hand-drawn look.

Moho Anime Studio

Type: 2D Animation
Features: Vector-based animation with a user-friendly interface and strong rigging capabilities.
Best For: Beginners to intermediate animators.

Camtasia

Type: Screen Recording and Video Editing
Features: While primarily for screen recording, it allows for basic animation and editing.
Best For: Those who want to create educational or tutorial animations.

Procreate

Type: 2D Animation on iPad
Features: Powerful drawing app with animation capabilities suitable for frame-by-frame animation.
Best For: Artists who want to animate on a tablet.

Synfig Studio

Type: 2D Animation
Features: Open-source software that allows for vector-based animation and has a strong focus on tweening.
Best For: Beginners and those on a budget.

Considerations

Skill Level: Choose software that matches your experience level. Budget: Some software is free while others require a purchase or subscription. Animation Style: Consider whether you want to create 2D or 3D animations as this will influence your choice.

Each software has its strengths, so it might be worth trying out a few to see which one you feel most comfortable with.