Animation Software Review

Adobe Flash: 4 / 4 STARS

Adobe Flash is expensive software that is used to create animations. As it is vector based the file sizes are smaller than with other animation software. It can be used alongside Flash Action Script but both of these can be very difficult to learn. The readymade components are not internet friendly so this can put some users off using the software. If you want to use Flash to make a web based programme this can take a long time but for animation it is slightly quicker.

Pros:

• Easy to make animations
• Vector based so file sizes are smaller
• Flash Action Script 2.0 can be used alongside it

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can be difficult to learn
• Readymade components are not internet friendly
• Flash based web programming takes a long time

 

Blender: 3 / 4 STARS

Blender is free software used for creating animations. It supports programming in Python and can also be used to develop games. It is very fast and light weight to use but learning the software can be a steep learning curve for users. Because it is in the Alpha stage, the software is nowhere near perfect and may not perform as expected.

Pros:

• Free
• Supports programming in Python
• It can develop games
• Very fast and lightweight

Cons:

• Big learning curve for non-standard graphical user interface
• Alpha software – may not be perfect

Conclusion

As Blender is still in the Alpha stage of development the better software of these two is clearly Flash. Although as Blender continues to develop it could very well become one of the best free animation software programmes around. Flash takes the lead when it comes to animation but you should be willing to sit down and learn the techniques.