Whenever you're creating something, you want to make sure that you have the best tools available. Toon Boom Studio animation software features an assortment of useful tools to help you create memorable animation projects. It has an intuitive interface that will enable you to begin drawing and animating almost immediately. It is because of the easy-to-use controls and the variety of animation techniques available that we are happy to award Toon Boom Studio the TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award. This is simply the best animation software available for those who want to create 2D animation.
You will need to install Adobe Reader and Quick Time in order for Toon Boom Studio animation software to work on your machine. Once installed, you simply open the application and start uploading, importing or drawing. Toon Boom Studio gives you complete control over your animation. You can easily adjust the frame rate, camera size, line thickness, color themes and more by using the easy-to-find buttons along the top and side.
In fact, you can make this 2D animation software what you want it to be. You can adjust the layout of the different toolbars and windows. Drag the features you use most to the forefront so you can find them easily, and hide the ones you won't be using for a streamlined interface. Additionally, this animation software has a full-screen mode and a rotating drawing table so you can create your own personalized animation setting. Then, simply save your personal setup and it will be there every time you open the application.
Toon Boom Studio offers five different types of animation techniques: traditional paper animation, traditional digital animation, cut-out/puppet animation, rotoscopting and stop motion. You can choose to animate using one method only, or you can mix them together for some interesting effects. You can also either draw your own images in the animation software, or you can import digital pictures. However, this software does more than just images. You can also upload audio and synchronize it to your project. The lip sync engine, for example, will automatically synchronize your dialogue – which will save you time and frustration.
You can choose to animate frame by frame or use key frames and have the software animate the stuff in between those two points. If you can't draw a straight line without help, the animation software features a tracing tool, and then you can use the Auto-gap tool to fill in the blanks. These extra helps are beneficial for both the seasoned pro and the beginning animator.
Toon Boom offers a 3D environment in which you can place your 2D images. You can adjust the camera angle to capture only what you want as you move your images around on an X, Y and Z axis. You can also follow a certain subject with the camera as you animate. This amount of control over the look of your finished product is another reason this animation software is the best.
If you want to storyboard your project, you'll need to purchase some additional software called Toon Boom Storyboard. The lack of a storyboard is one of the few downsides we found with this animation software. However, some users may not even need storyboards, so this won't be an issue for everyone.
While animating, you can use a light table, onionskinning and an exposure sheet to control the movements and the timing of your animation. You can also use animation pegs to chart the path of the movement. Additionally, the onionskinning and the light table tools of this animation software can be utilized while you're doing stop motion animation. These tools are vital to creating smooth and consistent animation.
Toon Boom Studio animation software also has a bone animation feature that is easy to use and makes 2D animating a little bit simpler. You can create bones and joints on your animated subjects and position them how you want. Then you will be able to lengthen, rotate or manipulate the bones. This feature is very easy to use and will give you the control that you need for your project.
No matter what kind of image file format you're trying to import or export, Toon Boom Studio has you covered. You can scan and upload your own paper drawings, or you can upload digital images. This animation software is compatible with the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPEG 2000, PICT, SGI, BMP, PNG, PSD, TIFF, TGA, MacPaint, QuickTime and FlashPix.
With this animation software, you can export your projects in a variety of ways. You can export a certain number of frames instead of the entire project, if wanted. You can create a flipbook of individual drawings. You can produce a video to be played on a TV, or you can upload it directly to YouTube or Facebook. Toon Boom Studio's variety of import/export options is another reason why it's the best around.
Toon Boom Studio is not the kind of animation software that you can use without having any previous knowledge of animation. You'll need at least some background in two-dimensional animation in order to get the most out of this software. However, there is a comprehensive user guide for Toon Boom Studio on the manufacturer's site for those who need additional help.
One of the few disappointments with Toon Boom Studio was the fact that the training videos cost money. The Beginner Training Video, for example, costs over $50. They also charge for their Workout Series, which includes different exercises to help fine tune your animation. There is a Quick Start Tutorial, which will give you the basics of using this animation software, but if you want more than that, you're going to have to pay extra.
One of the most helpful features on the Toon Boom website is the User Forum. There you can ask questions about the animation software and receive answers from other users as well as Toon Boom employees. They also have a Knowledgebase and FAQs page, as well as a variety of manuals and tutorials. If you have additional need for help, you can contact the company by phone or by email. We were impressed with the quantity and quality of customer support options that were offered along with Toon Boom Studio.
Animation is always hard work, but using Toon Boom Studio is a great way to ease the burden. It offers a wide variety of animating techniques which give you more freedom to create different projects. Additionally, it features user-friendly tools to help you enhance your experience while animating. If you're going to attempt to create an animated 2D project, then Toon Boom Studio is the animation software you should use.
