Animated Videos have become one of the signature tools of marketers worldwide for telling a story and creating effective marketing campaigns for the future.
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This is a brief tutorial on how to use Stop Motion Studio Pro for Mac. Stop Motion Studio helps you to create terrific stop action movies with a whole host of unique features:. Use your DSLR camera from Canon, Nikon or Sony for live view and capture images. Onionskin to show previous layers over the live view for precise control. 10 Best Stop Motion Animation Software For Windows & Mac. Article Content; What Is Stop Motion Animation? Boinx IStop-Motion (Paid) 2. Dragon Frame (Paid) 3. Filmora-Pro (Free) 4. Eclipse – Stop Motion Pro (Paid) 5. Heron Animation (Free) 6. IKITMovie (Paid) 7. Stop-Mojo (Free) 8. Frames (Paid) 9. Monkey-Jam (Free) 10.
Depending on your purpose and skills, you can choose from different types of software available both offline and online, for professionals and amateur users, 2D, 3D, whiteboard or stop motion animation tool, etc.
Below are our picks for the best animation software for mac of 2019. For more background information, see a more detailed buying advice below the picks.
Part1. Whiteboard Animation Tools
Part2. 2D Animation Tools
Part3. 3D Animation Tools
Part4. Stop Motion Animation Tools
Part5. Motion Graphics Software
How to Choose the Right Animation Software for Mac
Part1. Whiteboard Animation Tools
#1. Best Whiteboard Animation Software for Mac: VideoScribe by Sparkol
This program is produced by Sparkol and it remains one of the best whiteboard animation software programs for both Mac and PC. You can also use it on a number of mobile devices including devices that run android. There are elements of the program that works through the cloud making it very simple to upload and edit video wherever you might be.
Videoscribe works quite intuitively for building business presentations, TED talk style videos, tutorials, creative marketing solutions and more. What is produced out of this program looks hand-drawn and extremely professional for any type of marketing campaign. The best part is that you can use many of these tools to create these effects with very little animation knowledge.
Even children enjoy using this program because of its ease of use. There is a full library of stock images, animation and more as well as an extensive voiceover soundtrack that can be used with the solutions here.
The yearly and monthly subscription also ensures that there is a flexible use for the program. It also comes with a seven-day free trial with features to try before you buy.
#2. Best Free Animation Software for Mac: PowToon
This is a fantastic online presentation maker for academic use, presentations and infographics.
The program is completely free to use and has a number of animation effects on board that can make anything exported out of the program seem extremely professional.
The free templates available in the program as well as the quality of the animations that are presented within the platform make it a true favorite amongst many brands.
A number of major companies now almost exclusively trust their creative tools to Powtoon and it can be used almost anywhere where there is an Internet connection with mass compatibility.
As a fully cloud-based system there’s no use for installation or downloads to take full advantage of it. Its available for free use on any Macintosh computer as long as you are willing to use the watermark.
Part2. 2D Animation Tools
#3. Best 2D Animation Software for Mac: Toon Boom Harmony
This is a program that actually deserves some surprising recognition. The company has partnered with major film companies like Warner brothers, Disney, and Nickelodeon and it’s currently one of the best and most powerful 2-D animation suites for commercial use.
With the use of this program you can build anything from traditional animation all the way to amazing drawing tools that can produce the future of 3-D animation. The 3-D cameras and integration available in this platform can provide fundamental solutions for drawing, rendering and building beautiful projects.
There are tools and tasks available here that can suit small hobby animators all the way up to professional uses. The premium version delivers the top tool professional solutions that you might expect at of any major animation suite. The essentials level of the harmony program is designed more for hobbyists and it delivers a scaled down version of some of their more high and customization techniques.
Toon Boom not only remains one of the best 2-D animation programs for mac but it is a regular fixture in the animation world today.
#4. Runner-up, Best 2D Animation Software for Mac: Adobe Animate
Adobe is one of the successors to perhaps one of the most popular 2-D animation software is available. At the core of Animate are the flash tools that have been working to create high-quality animations since the early days of the Internet. Today the program uses vector-based publishing to produce intuitive and inexpensive animation results.
Although it may not have all of the professional animation tools that you would find in some major production suites, it’s possible to get very professional looking results.
#5. Best Free 2D Animation Software for Mac: Pencil
This is a simple and open source vector-based program that’s designed for the Mac OS X platform. It’s also available on Linux and Windows and it was originally created for producing digital comics. The platform allows animators to use the basic hand-drawn techniques that were experimented with long in the past. Pencil is an ideal program for beginners that don’t want to invest in expensive license for a program. It can teach the basic principles of animation and with a timeline feature it’s possible to add new layers to arrange fun effects.
This is one of the best programs for beginners and sketching characters as well as setting keyframes can all be done using the pen tool, fill tool and the vector layers tool. The interface on this is actually based off of some of the original Adobe flash platform’s and it produces some good quality graphics even on a tablet device. Perhaps one of the best parts of using this program is that it automatically exports everything in.FLV which gives it mass compatibility with a number of online sources. The videos that you export here will be easy to embed or upload in video sharing sources and more.
Part3. 3D Animation Tools
#6. Best 3D Animation Software for Mac: Maya
Autodesk Maya remains one of the best 3-D modeling software programs that’s designed for Mac, Windows and Linux. The program itself has migrated many of the tools away from Autodesk Mud and now has features that you would normally find in several different pieces of software for creating highly detailed 3-D models. Autodesk Maya is a 3-D modeling software that is designed mostly for professional artists but with the templates that are available for download and the massive amount of tutorials online, it is possible to see quite a difference with this software when you are working with it over time.
#7. Runner-up, Best Free 3D Animation Software for Mac: Blender
Blender is a program that is designed with open source technology for 3-D modeling and it’s made mostly for beginners that want the option to learn how to play and get comfortable with reading modeling on their Mac computer. This open-source program does feature many of the basic features that you can expect to find including rigging, animation, architectural support and even the option to create full games. The philosophy that’s behind it allows for the inclusion of many different templates and it is very well suited to use by a number of creators. Blender remains some of the best 3-D modeling software for creative artists with its completely free use.
Part4. Stop Motion Animation Tools
#8. Best for Making Stop Motion Videos: Dragonframe
Dragonframe remains one of the best stop motion software solutions for mac today. It’s one of the top choices for many of the world’s largest studios like Laika and Aardman. It can produce high-quality masterpieces in stop motion animation and it is a perfectly suited set of professional tools. The program allows for easy capture of a number of precise movements and you can also compose in light various angles using the camera controls on board. Editing images as well as performing advanced image review techniques can all be done through the program as well.
The process of inserting and editing audio can be done according to a characters needs and based off of the animation that you want to create. The advantage to using some of the precise movements and controls in this program is that you can have a wide array of improvements at your fingertips for professional products.
#9. Runner-up: Stop Motion in Movavi Video Editor
We selected this is our runner up because with this program there’s no need to pay for a dedicated piece of stop motion software. This is an open source piece of technology that delivers a full-featured video editor that suitable for many beginners.
The program itself is perfect for getting all of the features that are often teased in many full license software programs. Because it’s open source there are also a number of templates that can make it easy to use. The full-featured video editor is excellent for its features and for the newest features that are being added by the community regularly to keep up with the stop motion technology of today.
Part5. Motion Graphics Software
#10. Best Motion Graphic Animation Software for Mac: After Effects
With a number of motion graphic animation software programs available for Mac, after effects sets itself apart.
Adobe After Effects is truly one of the most masterful programs for any motion graphic artist. Of course many of the features of aftereffects can be found in other Adobe programs, but there is no other piece of software that can be so versatile for the creation of motion graphics. The way to the menus are set up and the way that the program behaves makes it an intuitive leap for 3-D modeling and 2.5 D animation.
The whole goal of aftereffects is to help you produce almost any type of animation that you may want without having to involve 3-D modeling. After effects remains one of the primary pieces of software for motion graphic work in storyboards, motion comics and more. There are elements in this program that are close to Photoshop and illustrator but they have been optimized for the purpose of creating motion graphics here.
How to Choose the Right Animation Software for Mac
When it comes down to choosing the program that you may want to purchase a license for or download on your computer, you need to be very focused into the types of animation that you are looking for and what you need out of any program. The first thing you need to understand is the various styles and techniques for animation and what you might want out of a program:
2d animation
This is the traditional style of animation that comes from the idea of cell shading or digital cell shading. In the past animators would draw images on transparent pieces of paper and then later than one frame at a time to create motion. Today drawings can be rendered and layered on top of one another using a digital timeline and computer vector animations.
3d animation
This is a completely new and different way to look at traditional animation that requires understanding the basic principles of composition, movement and 3-D modeling. Creating 3-D graphics can involve scanning objects or even piecing together various 3-D models to create characters, share complex ideas and then animate all of the items along a storyboard.
Motion graphics
A motion graphic is considered to be one of the newest forms of animation. These motion graphics are fairly common in items like banner ads, short comics and more. Usually these types of graphics are designed for commercial purposes.
Stop motion
Stop motion involves taking photos of an object and manipulating it ever so slightly to eventually produce a storyboard of motion. Completing and repeating this process over and over eventually gives the full allusion of movement. This is a very time-consuming process that often involves manipulating objects slowly over hours of movement to create just a few seconds of animation.
Presentation or whiteboard style
This is a popular style of animation that has taken off over the past few years. The online marketing videos that are produced and the specific programs that have been created for building whiteboard videos are proving that this is a format that truly keeps people engaged and remains a trend for school projects, business presentations and more.
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From a personal perspective, who doesn’t love to watch animation videos?
Animation videos are fun to watch. They make the topic easy to understand, and the overall animation or presentation keeps you engaged.
The same is the case with your prospects. They, too, want to see video content from their preferred brand.
According to HubSpot, 54% of consumers want to see videos from the business they support.
Another research by HubSpot tells us that, If a web page has video and text both, 72% of people will watch a video to learn about a product.
So, it is time to get your brand on track and start breathing life into the static objects on the screen by utilizing the stop motion technique.
Stop motion videos are appealing, and they hold the power of conveniently demonstrating your product/service to your audience.
In a nutshell, today we’ll explore the following aspects of Stop motion animations:
- What is stop motion animation?
- The best stop motion software and its pros, cons, and prices.
Let’s begin with what exactly is stop motion animation.
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What Is Stop Motion Animation?
Generally, stop motion videos consist of manipulating a physical object to create an illusion of motion using stop motion animation software.
An easier definition of stop motion would be that it creates an illusion and helps you move objects in a static image. The movement of objects gives your stop motion video the feeling of animation.
Moreover, to create such videos, you need soft motion software.
You can use the internet to find numerous paid or free soft motion software but knowing their capabilities, features, and specs is essential.
Certain tools are not for beginners, and they require extensive knowledge of soft motion editing software to operate.
Knowing these tools and their usage is essential for you to start creating your own soft motion animation.
So today, in this blog, we’re going to tell you about some of the best stop motion software, their features and specs, and their pros and cons.
Keep in mind that the list is not in any specific order; we have just randomly placed the top 10 tools here for your feasibility.
Let’s begin…
1. Boinx iStop-Motion (Paid)
Image Source: MacUpdate
Boinx iStop-Motion is a powerful stop motion software that you can use to create your animation videos.
It is widely considered best for time-lapse movies and stops motion animation.
With features like Onion skinning, time-lapse, Chroma keying, and Rotoscope, iStop-Motion stands out in terms of performance and accessibility.
It runs smoothly on the Mac OS platform and delivers an excellent user experience.
The latest update of Boinx iStop-Motion enables the user to leverage DSLR cameras from well-known brands, i.e., Canon and Nikon.
iStop-Motion also gives the user the advantage to easily create stop motion animation using their iPhone and iPad.
Below is a stop motion video created by using iStop-Motion
Pros
- iStop-Motion software has numerous versatile and agile features.
- The interface is super user-friendly. Even children can use iStopMotion.
- The “Onion skinning” feature in iStop-Motion enables the user to see a preview of the video he is creating.
- The “Workflow” feature shortens and makes the video-making process highly effective.
Cons
- iStop-Motion is costly; although there are some special offers for educators, it can still be quite expensive.
- The less expensive versions of iStop-Motion have few features and specs.
- iStop-Motion is a stop motion software for mac, which means you can only use it on Mac computers.
Pricing
You can buy this powerful stop motion software only for US$ 19.99.
2. Dragon Frame (Paid)
This is another powerful paid stop motion animation software that is designed for Mac OS.
Dragon Frame helps the user create stunning and powerful imagery with beautiful effects and advanced camera scanning tools; you can capture highly accurate movements.
Moreover, Dragon Frame controls enable you to compose shots, illuminate perfect images, and edit images/frames.
Masterpieces of Stop motion animation like Disney’s Frankenweenie and Laika’s Coraline were created using Dragon Frame.
Dragon Frame is the software you need if you are a professional and want to create Stop motion videos for big brands.
From high-quality videos to countless features and support – with Dragon Frame, you have every aspect of your Stop Motion animation covered.
With the video below, you’ll have an idea of what Dragon Frame is capable of.
Pros
- Dragon-Frame is integrated with the most powerful tools such as Onion skinning, auto-toggling, and drawing.
- Dragon-Frame keypad enables you to focus on your animation instead of hunting around with your mouse.
- With revolutionary technology like the Exposure-based DMX lighting board, you can take your lighting to the next level.
Cons
- Some features and specs of Dragon-Frame are high-end and complexed and require extensive product knowledge to operate.
- Dragon-Frame can be a bit costly, and the student/teacher version is only for personal use, which means you cannot use it to make money.
Pricing
You can buy the Dragon-Frame student/teacher version for US$ 100.
3. Filmora-Pro (Free)
Image Source:DPreview
A feature-oriented best stop motion software for mac.
This stop motion program can run on both Mac and Windows.
Like any other software on this list, Filmora Pro also provides motion tracking animations.
It is integrated with a user-friendly experience and high-end features that you can leverage to take your video to the next level.
Filmora-Pro is a well-known option to stop motion professionals because it also supports other types of filmmaking.
With an easy to operate interface, you can design any type of animation you want.
The stand out feature of Filmora Pro is an option called “Keyframing.”
Keyframing helps you create a lot smoother stop motion animation videos than videos created by other tools.
Want to know what you can produce with Filmora? Just play the video below!
Moreover, you can download Filmora from their website for free. However, the free version comes with a Filmora’s watermark.
If you are not okay with the watermark, you can go for the lifetime or yearly package.
Pros
- Highly cost-effective than other stop motion video software.
- Has all the high-end feature and specs.
- The software is available for download for free.
- After figuring out all the nooks and crannies, you’ll learn that the software is a delight among other stop motion programs.
Cons
- Filmora Pro does not support Windows 32-bit version of below 10.10 versions of Mac.
- You always need to login to export your videos.
Pricing
You can buy Filmora Pro from their website. They have different packages, i.e., monthly, yearly, and lifetime.
Monthly package: $6.99
Yearly package: $23.99
Lifetime Package: $47.99
4. Eclipse – Stop Motion Pro (Paid)
Image Source: StopMotionCentral
An easy to connect, unsophisticated, and user-friendly stop motion software for PC.
Eclipse – Stop Motion Pro doesn’t have all the fancy-schmancy interfaces or modern build style like other stop motion animation programs have.
But by no means does this mean that Eclipse isn’t powerful.
Eclipse Pro stands among the best stop motion animation software. You can use it to create animations and all types of films.
The layout of Eclipse delivers the feel of a traditional user interface, a large workspace is integrated within Eclipse, and there are few toolbars too.
The theme of this spectacular stop motion software is kept dark so that during long hours of work, the software won’t get too harsh on your eyes.
Moreover, connecting Eclipse to your camera gives you additional functionalities like controlling angles, zooms, and much more.
With a lip-syncing and multi-track editing feature, you can easily add music or voices to your stop motion animation.
The stop motion animation below was created by Eclipse – Stop Motion Pro.
Dslr Stop Motion Software Machine
Pros
- A user-friendly interface and easy-to-use tools enable you to create stop motion animations quickly and easily.
- Automatic time-lapse capture makes your stop motion video smooth.
Cons
- The software sometimes is unable to handle various file formats.
- Stop Motion Pro Eclipse requires a high-end PC to run on.
Pricing
The price of Stop Motion Pro Eclipse starts at $185.
5. Heron Animation (Free)
Heron Animation is a stop motion software free of cost.
It is fully compatible with every operating system, i.e., Windows, Mac, and Linux.
A program that solely focuses on user experience and feasibility helps you take pictures from a webcam and make stop motion animations.
The process is simple and convenient; however, the software is powerful and equipped with the best tools that make a stop motion video amazing.
Heron is perfect for beginners and skilled animators.
You can gather every shot in actual time. It has a clean and precise user-interface that enables you to operate it quickly and effectively.
Pros
- Is has the option of Onion skinning.
- Extremely user-friendly.
- Best for beginners and professionals.
Cons
- Does not have camera controls.
- Lack of some professional tools that are available in other stop motion software.
- The overall quality of the finalized video is a bit rough.
Pricing
The software is available on their website for free.
6. iKITMovie (Paid)
Image Source: StopMotionCentral
The iKITMovie is a popular choice in the LEGO animation industry and can also be used as a Claymation software.
The most intriguing aspect of the iKITMovie animation software is that it has more than 2,200 built-in sound effects, which you can utilize to create your stop motion films.
There is no need to crawl the internet to find sound effects – all you need is actually present in the software.
Also, there is a green screen feature for users that enables you to change the static of the background’s moving images.
The software is easy to use and best for beginners.
Moreover, iKITMovie is not a free stop motion animation software. There is a free trial available, but that’s only there to let the user experience the software in a limited way.
The video below was created using iKITMovie animation software.
Pros
- The green screen feature is revolutionary, and you can control the background objects with this option.
- iKITMovie is perfect for teachers or students, and it is best for beginners who are new to stop motion animation.
Cons
- The software is known to crash sometimes due to a lack of stability and performance.
- The free version has limited options.
Pricing
You can buy iKITMovie from their website for a starting price of $99.
7. Stop-Mojo (Free)
Image Source: Mondobeyondo
A cross-platform stop motion program designed to help animators to create animations.
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The software gives you the facility of capturing videos and photos from different devices.
Also, the software is well equipped with some top-notch tools such as onion-skinning and time-lapse capturing.
From audio synchronization to some high-end editing options – the software is literally packed with the industry’s leading tools and practices.
Moreover, Stop-Mojo supports all webcams, devices, cards, cameras, and much more. It also provides a quick preview of the captured frames.
Pros
- Have all the features and tools available for you to use.
- Supports devices across multiple platforms.
- Have some standout features that help in creating a more effective and compelling animation.
Cons
- Some essential/revolutionary features like Rotoscope and x-sheets are missing.
- The advanced editing option is not there, which could improve the overall quality of the produced video.
Pricing
This specific stop motion animation software is available for free, and you can download it from their website.
8. Frames (Paid)
Image Source:EduGrains
An animation powerhouse when it comes to creating stop motion videos. Actually, the software is best for all types of animations.
From cartoons to explainer videos, you can leverage Frames to create different videos packed with smooth motions and engaging visuals.
The software also supports the creation of clay animation and digital stories for your business.
It has a really easy to use interface, and the navigation panel is also designed to be convenient.
The software itself has won numerous awards and is available in multiple languages.
The video below was created by utilizing Frames stop-motion software.
Pros
- You can align frames using onion skinning.
- The option of group framing is available.
- Match several frames and audio durations easily.
Cons
- Frame sometimes produces jerky animations that are not productive.
- The final stop motion video may differ from the preview version of the video.
Pricing
The trial version of Frames is free, but it lacks several features. You can buy the full version of Frames from their website for $39.95.
9. Monkey-Jam (Free)
Image Source: MonkeyJam
Dslr Stop Motion Software Mac Version
Monkey Jam is free software, and those who are looking to try stop motion animation are allowed to try it anytime they want.
Monkey-Jam does not have as many features as others on this list, but it is a great option for beginners.
The software interface is easily navigated, the design is simple and user-friendly.
The software is highly responsive and quickly manages to put together all the pictures you have captured to create unique stop motion animations.
See the tutorial below to learn how to create a stop motion video using Monkey Jam.
Pros
- Easy to use and highly recommended for those who have no experience in creating stop motion videos.
- Capturing images, putting them together, and creating a video or downloading animations require no configuration.
Cons
- Monkey-Jam developers are no longer supporting Monkey-Jam software, so there will be no updates or bug fixes in the future.
- Animations play in continuous looping sequences even after being saved into a video file.
Pricing
The software is available for free, and you can download it from MonkeyJam.Org.
10. Adobe Premiere Pro (Paid)
Image Source: TheVerge
Everyone knows Adobe and how it has revolutionized the editing industry. Adobe Premiere Pro stands among some of the most well-known products of Adobe.
The features are mesmerizing, and creating stop motion animations is as easy as pie.
Making your cartoons more dynamic with the help of some stand out features and keyframes by Adobe is always an amazing experience.
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The editing process is easy, and motion graphics can also be created using the essential graphics panel tools.
With the constant improvement and updates coming from Adobe, the Adobe Premiere Pro has become even more powerful and effective.
Moreover, additional features of Adobe include color grading, trimming footage, and editing.
Concerned about the complexity of Adobe Premiere Pro? Here’s a simple tutorial through which you can learn how to create a stop-motion video.
Pros
- Gives you the ability to reinvent, merge, or create videos from scratch.
- There are tons of features, editing options, and accessibilities that you can use to create a stunning stop-motion video.
Cons
- Adobe Premiere Pro is certainly not for beginners, and its options require extensive knowledge to operate.
- The workflow process is a bit noisy and cluttered, which often confuses several users.
Pricing
The Adobe Premiere Pro is a powerful paid software that you can download from their website for just $20.99.
Conclusion
Phew, glad that’s over!
Now you know some of the best stop-motion animation software.
The software on this list is extremely helpful; however, you just need to find the perfect one for yourself.
Which one would you love to use from the list above? Let us know in the comment section below.