![In 2024, Premiere Pro on Mac The Industry Standard for Video Editing Pros](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/4J2iVgv99e0e6zd-RILzsk4gPzo=/360x240/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1134410016-75c4b547097941299e55dceeef4b764c.jpg)
In 2024, Premiere Pro on Mac The Industry Standard for Video Editing Pros
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Premiere Pro on Mac: The Industry Standard for Video Editing Pros
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac: The Video Editor for Professionals
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the most probable picked video editing application for pro-level videographers. This application is well-known among Mac users for social sharing, TV, and filmmaking tasks. Combined with other Adobe-based initiatives, Premiere Pro for Mac works as a powerful solution to video-related tasks including video compression, special effects, and much more for Mac users. What’s more, you can make and renew your video editing tasks from any MacBook system with a common Adobe ID.
- Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
- Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
- Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
Premiere Pro for Mac gives excellent editing of 4K and higher, with the 32-bit tone, both in RGB and YUV shading space. This pro-level video editor gives you the control to reshape the excellence of videos. With the assistance of Premiere Pro 2021’s editing features, editors can now undoubtedly convert the formats of videos, set the frame rate, eliminate any undesirable clips and add special effects with full ease. Also, with the wonderful illustrations and text effects, you can make your intros and outros more compelling than ever. Let’s look deeper into some of its advanced features lists.
Main Features:
- A professional program for professional non-linear video editing
- Supports plenty of special effects with After Effects CC compatibility.
- Got countless video editing tools for achieving anything in editing
- Enables editors to edit footage in any format, from 8K to virtual reality
Pros:
- Many organizational tools and features
- Responsive speed especially for fast rendering
- The rich ecosystem of video production apps
Cons:
- Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals
- Some techniques require additional applications
- No sound effect samples included
Target Users: Professional Editors
Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
1. For Beginners: Wondershare Filmora for Mac
If you’re a beginner and you feel exhausted due to the complexity of video editing on Mac systems, then Filmora is probably the best choice for you. This video editor by Wondershare now accompanies some powerful and easy to embed features you can utilize without a prior video editing experience. Being a novice video editor of the era, Filmora offers a plethora of quality features including keyframes, animations, intros and outros editing, special templates for titles, and much more. From basic to advanced-level video editing tasks, Filmora is here to accompany you while performing your desired ones.
Like Premiere Pro, Filmora has its target audience as professionals as well as beginners. Due to its intuitive interface, it’s termed as the best pick as a Premiere Pro alternative because it has the user-friendly approach to perform vital video editing tasks which requires a pro-level experience if you’re performing it with some other applications available for Mac. That’s why Filmora has huge demand in the video editing industry as it embeds face detection, motion tracking, precise editing as well as suitable formats for every platform.
Pros:
- Easy to use on Mac
- Supports all popular export options and input formats
- Add filters and the overlays easily
- Cloud-based effect library
- Built-in sound and music effects
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Watermark is available in the free version
2. For Professionals: Final Cut Pro
Apple’s Final Cut Pro is now among the top-notch video editing applications you can utilize to maximize the creativity of your video editing journey. It incorporates efficient video editing features from basic to pro-level especially for the professional movie makers that increase its popularity among the beginners as well. As compared to Adobe Premiere Pro, this application has a pretty intuitive interface as well as fast processing of 4K and higher quality video projects. Hence, we can say that Final Cut Pro is one of the best Premiere Pro alternatives for professionals.
Pros
- Smooth video editing experience
- 2D/3D titles
- Various effects and filters
- Provide built-in audio editor feature.
Cons
- Only available for Mac
- Expensive compared to other software
- Customer support is not good enough.
- Not easy for beginners.
Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
1. Can Adobe Premiere Pro run natively on M1 Macs?
Yes! Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac now runs natively on the M1 kind. Furthermore, Adobe Premiere Pro runs 80% quicker on M1.
2. Can a MacBook Air run Adobe Premiere Pro?
Of course, Yes! MacBook Air has indeed experienced swift running of Premiere Pro unless you try to extend it with the 4K editing. For 4k and above rendering, MacBook Air runs down, and sometimes it gets exhausted dealing with the longer time frames for the rendering process.
Final Words
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the widely-used video editor among professional video content creators. Even though it is powerful enough to make your videos look like what you can imagine, it is not easy to master it even for professionals, not mention beginners and intermediates. So we highly recommend normal users to get Wondershare Filmora for Mac to edit video easily. And Filmora is powerful enough to make your videos attractive. Download it now to start your video editing journey.
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the most probable picked video editing application for pro-level videographers. This application is well-known among Mac users for social sharing, TV, and filmmaking tasks. Combined with other Adobe-based initiatives, Premiere Pro for Mac works as a powerful solution to video-related tasks including video compression, special effects, and much more for Mac users. What’s more, you can make and renew your video editing tasks from any MacBook system with a common Adobe ID.
- Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
- Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
- Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
Premiere Pro for Mac gives excellent editing of 4K and higher, with the 32-bit tone, both in RGB and YUV shading space. This pro-level video editor gives you the control to reshape the excellence of videos. With the assistance of Premiere Pro 2021’s editing features, editors can now undoubtedly convert the formats of videos, set the frame rate, eliminate any undesirable clips and add special effects with full ease. Also, with the wonderful illustrations and text effects, you can make your intros and outros more compelling than ever. Let’s look deeper into some of its advanced features lists.
Main Features:
- A professional program for professional non-linear video editing
- Supports plenty of special effects with After Effects CC compatibility.
- Got countless video editing tools for achieving anything in editing
- Enables editors to edit footage in any format, from 8K to virtual reality
Pros:
- Many organizational tools and features
- Responsive speed especially for fast rendering
- The rich ecosystem of video production apps
Cons:
- Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals
- Some techniques require additional applications
- No sound effect samples included
Target Users: Professional Editors
Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
1. For Beginners: Wondershare Filmora for Mac
If you’re a beginner and you feel exhausted due to the complexity of video editing on Mac systems, then Filmora is probably the best choice for you. This video editor by Wondershare now accompanies some powerful and easy to embed features you can utilize without a prior video editing experience. Being a novice video editor of the era, Filmora offers a plethora of quality features including keyframes, animations, intros and outros editing, special templates for titles, and much more. From basic to advanced-level video editing tasks, Filmora is here to accompany you while performing your desired ones.
Like Premiere Pro, Filmora has its target audience as professionals as well as beginners. Due to its intuitive interface, it’s termed as the best pick as a Premiere Pro alternative because it has the user-friendly approach to perform vital video editing tasks which requires a pro-level experience if you’re performing it with some other applications available for Mac. That’s why Filmora has huge demand in the video editing industry as it embeds face detection, motion tracking, precise editing as well as suitable formats for every platform.
Pros:
- Easy to use on Mac
- Supports all popular export options and input formats
- Add filters and the overlays easily
- Cloud-based effect library
- Built-in sound and music effects
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Watermark is available in the free version
2. For Professionals: Final Cut Pro
Apple’s Final Cut Pro is now among the top-notch video editing applications you can utilize to maximize the creativity of your video editing journey. It incorporates efficient video editing features from basic to pro-level especially for the professional movie makers that increase its popularity among the beginners as well. As compared to Adobe Premiere Pro, this application has a pretty intuitive interface as well as fast processing of 4K and higher quality video projects. Hence, we can say that Final Cut Pro is one of the best Premiere Pro alternatives for professionals.
Pros
- Smooth video editing experience
- 2D/3D titles
- Various effects and filters
- Provide built-in audio editor feature.
Cons
- Only available for Mac
- Expensive compared to other software
- Customer support is not good enough.
- Not easy for beginners.
Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
1. Can Adobe Premiere Pro run natively on M1 Macs?
Yes! Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac now runs natively on the M1 kind. Furthermore, Adobe Premiere Pro runs 80% quicker on M1.
2. Can a MacBook Air run Adobe Premiere Pro?
Of course, Yes! MacBook Air has indeed experienced swift running of Premiere Pro unless you try to extend it with the 4K editing. For 4k and above rendering, MacBook Air runs down, and sometimes it gets exhausted dealing with the longer time frames for the rendering process.
Final Words
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the widely-used video editor among professional video content creators. Even though it is powerful enough to make your videos look like what you can imagine, it is not easy to master it even for professionals, not mention beginners and intermediates. So we highly recommend normal users to get Wondershare Filmora for Mac to edit video easily. And Filmora is powerful enough to make your videos attractive. Download it now to start your video editing journey.
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the most probable picked video editing application for pro-level videographers. This application is well-known among Mac users for social sharing, TV, and filmmaking tasks. Combined with other Adobe-based initiatives, Premiere Pro for Mac works as a powerful solution to video-related tasks including video compression, special effects, and much more for Mac users. What’s more, you can make and renew your video editing tasks from any MacBook system with a common Adobe ID.
- Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
- Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
- Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
Premiere Pro for Mac gives excellent editing of 4K and higher, with the 32-bit tone, both in RGB and YUV shading space. This pro-level video editor gives you the control to reshape the excellence of videos. With the assistance of Premiere Pro 2021’s editing features, editors can now undoubtedly convert the formats of videos, set the frame rate, eliminate any undesirable clips and add special effects with full ease. Also, with the wonderful illustrations and text effects, you can make your intros and outros more compelling than ever. Let’s look deeper into some of its advanced features lists.
Main Features:
- A professional program for professional non-linear video editing
- Supports plenty of special effects with After Effects CC compatibility.
- Got countless video editing tools for achieving anything in editing
- Enables editors to edit footage in any format, from 8K to virtual reality
Pros:
- Many organizational tools and features
- Responsive speed especially for fast rendering
- The rich ecosystem of video production apps
Cons:
- Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals
- Some techniques require additional applications
- No sound effect samples included
Target Users: Professional Editors
Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
1. For Beginners: Wondershare Filmora for Mac
If you’re a beginner and you feel exhausted due to the complexity of video editing on Mac systems, then Filmora is probably the best choice for you. This video editor by Wondershare now accompanies some powerful and easy to embed features you can utilize without a prior video editing experience. Being a novice video editor of the era, Filmora offers a plethora of quality features including keyframes, animations, intros and outros editing, special templates for titles, and much more. From basic to advanced-level video editing tasks, Filmora is here to accompany you while performing your desired ones.
Like Premiere Pro, Filmora has its target audience as professionals as well as beginners. Due to its intuitive interface, it’s termed as the best pick as a Premiere Pro alternative because it has the user-friendly approach to perform vital video editing tasks which requires a pro-level experience if you’re performing it with some other applications available for Mac. That’s why Filmora has huge demand in the video editing industry as it embeds face detection, motion tracking, precise editing as well as suitable formats for every platform.
Pros:
- Easy to use on Mac
- Supports all popular export options and input formats
- Add filters and the overlays easily
- Cloud-based effect library
- Built-in sound and music effects
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Watermark is available in the free version
2. For Professionals: Final Cut Pro
Apple’s Final Cut Pro is now among the top-notch video editing applications you can utilize to maximize the creativity of your video editing journey. It incorporates efficient video editing features from basic to pro-level especially for the professional movie makers that increase its popularity among the beginners as well. As compared to Adobe Premiere Pro, this application has a pretty intuitive interface as well as fast processing of 4K and higher quality video projects. Hence, we can say that Final Cut Pro is one of the best Premiere Pro alternatives for professionals.
Pros
- Smooth video editing experience
- 2D/3D titles
- Various effects and filters
- Provide built-in audio editor feature.
Cons
- Only available for Mac
- Expensive compared to other software
- Customer support is not good enough.
- Not easy for beginners.
Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
1. Can Adobe Premiere Pro run natively on M1 Macs?
Yes! Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac now runs natively on the M1 kind. Furthermore, Adobe Premiere Pro runs 80% quicker on M1.
2. Can a MacBook Air run Adobe Premiere Pro?
Of course, Yes! MacBook Air has indeed experienced swift running of Premiere Pro unless you try to extend it with the 4K editing. For 4k and above rendering, MacBook Air runs down, and sometimes it gets exhausted dealing with the longer time frames for the rendering process.
Final Words
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the widely-used video editor among professional video content creators. Even though it is powerful enough to make your videos look like what you can imagine, it is not easy to master it even for professionals, not mention beginners and intermediates. So we highly recommend normal users to get Wondershare Filmora for Mac to edit video easily. And Filmora is powerful enough to make your videos attractive. Download it now to start your video editing journey.
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
Liza Brown
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the most probable picked video editing application for pro-level videographers. This application is well-known among Mac users for social sharing, TV, and filmmaking tasks. Combined with other Adobe-based initiatives, Premiere Pro for Mac works as a powerful solution to video-related tasks including video compression, special effects, and much more for Mac users. What’s more, you can make and renew your video editing tasks from any MacBook system with a common Adobe ID.
- Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
- Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
- Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
Part1: Premiere Pro for Mac Review - Best Professional Video Editor
Premiere Pro for Mac gives excellent editing of 4K and higher, with the 32-bit tone, both in RGB and YUV shading space. This pro-level video editor gives you the control to reshape the excellence of videos. With the assistance of Premiere Pro 2021’s editing features, editors can now undoubtedly convert the formats of videos, set the frame rate, eliminate any undesirable clips and add special effects with full ease. Also, with the wonderful illustrations and text effects, you can make your intros and outros more compelling than ever. Let’s look deeper into some of its advanced features lists.
Main Features:
- A professional program for professional non-linear video editing
- Supports plenty of special effects with After Effects CC compatibility.
- Got countless video editing tools for achieving anything in editing
- Enables editors to edit footage in any format, from 8K to virtual reality
Pros:
- Many organizational tools and features
- Responsive speed especially for fast rendering
- The rich ecosystem of video production apps
Cons:
- Intimidating interface for nonprofessionals
- Some techniques require additional applications
- No sound effect samples included
Target Users: Professional Editors
Part2: Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac Alternatives
1. For Beginners: Wondershare Filmora for Mac
If you’re a beginner and you feel exhausted due to the complexity of video editing on Mac systems, then Filmora is probably the best choice for you. This video editor by Wondershare now accompanies some powerful and easy to embed features you can utilize without a prior video editing experience. Being a novice video editor of the era, Filmora offers a plethora of quality features including keyframes, animations, intros and outros editing, special templates for titles, and much more. From basic to advanced-level video editing tasks, Filmora is here to accompany you while performing your desired ones.
Like Premiere Pro, Filmora has its target audience as professionals as well as beginners. Due to its intuitive interface, it’s termed as the best pick as a Premiere Pro alternative because it has the user-friendly approach to perform vital video editing tasks which requires a pro-level experience if you’re performing it with some other applications available for Mac. That’s why Filmora has huge demand in the video editing industry as it embeds face detection, motion tracking, precise editing as well as suitable formats for every platform.
Pros:
- Easy to use on Mac
- Supports all popular export options and input formats
- Add filters and the overlays easily
- Cloud-based effect library
- Built-in sound and music effects
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Watermark is available in the free version
2. For Professionals: Final Cut Pro
Apple’s Final Cut Pro is now among the top-notch video editing applications you can utilize to maximize the creativity of your video editing journey. It incorporates efficient video editing features from basic to pro-level especially for the professional movie makers that increase its popularity among the beginners as well. As compared to Adobe Premiere Pro, this application has a pretty intuitive interface as well as fast processing of 4K and higher quality video projects. Hence, we can say that Final Cut Pro is one of the best Premiere Pro alternatives for professionals.
Pros
- Smooth video editing experience
- 2D/3D titles
- Various effects and filters
- Provide built-in audio editor feature.
Cons
- Only available for Mac
- Expensive compared to other software
- Customer support is not good enough.
- Not easy for beginners.
Part3: FAQs of Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac
1. Can Adobe Premiere Pro run natively on M1 Macs?
Yes! Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac now runs natively on the M1 kind. Furthermore, Adobe Premiere Pro runs 80% quicker on M1.
2. Can a MacBook Air run Adobe Premiere Pro?
Of course, Yes! MacBook Air has indeed experienced swift running of Premiere Pro unless you try to extend it with the 4K editing. For 4k and above rendering, MacBook Air runs down, and sometimes it gets exhausted dealing with the longer time frames for the rendering process.
Final Words
Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac is the widely-used video editor among professional video content creators. Even though it is powerful enough to make your videos look like what you can imagine, it is not easy to master it even for professionals, not mention beginners and intermediates. So we highly recommend normal users to get Wondershare Filmora for Mac to edit video easily. And Filmora is powerful enough to make your videos attractive. Download it now to start your video editing journey.
Liza Brown
Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Liza Brown
FCPX Visual Effects: Freeze Frames, Slow Motion, and Advanced Editing
Final Cut Pro X: Freeze-Frames and Slow Motion
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A very simple, yet very effective effect is changing the speed of a video clip. This could be a simple still-frame (also called “Freeze Frame”) or playing a clip in slow or fast motion.
This article shows you how to do this using Final Cut Pro X.
For more tutorials on slow-motion please refer to this article: Top 10 Slow Motion Video Editing Software.
Freeze-Frames and Slow Motion in Final Cut Pro X
1. STILL FRAMES
A still-frame freezes action. For instance, here is a clip of a hummingbird getting ready to land on a bird feeder. I want to create a freeze-frame of the bird in flight. (Um, yeah, I use “freeze-frame” and “still-frame” interchangeably.)
In Final Cut Pro X, put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to freeze and type Option+F.
This creates a two-second freeze-frame at the position of the playhead.
Adjust the duration of the frame by trimming the edge; just like any other clip. Here, for example, I’m making the duration of the freeze-frame 11 frames shorter.
In case you were wondering, this is what the freeze looks like. It freezes the flight of the hummingbird in the middle of playback, allowing us to add graphics or other text then resume the action as though nothing had happened.
Very cool, except….
Well, the good news is that this is fast and easy. The bad news is that we can’t change the location of the still frame.
So, here’s another way to do this.
Put the playhead (or skimmer, but I prefer the playhead) on the frame you want to freeze, select the clip, then type Shift+F.
This locates the source clip in the Browser, selects both the Browser and the clip, and matches the position of the In, Out, and playhead.
Now, with the Browser selected, type Option+F. This creates a freeze-frame of the Browser clip and places it at the location of the playhead as a connected clip in the Timeline.
As a connected clip, we can move this new freeze-frame wherever we want. However, be careful in moving the clip, because, unless you mark the original frame with a marker (type “M”), there’s no easy way to match the still frame with the source frame, once the still frame is moved somewhere else.
I use both these techniques in many different projects.
2. HOLD FRAME
A Hold Frame is similar to an in-line still frame, but with more flexibility.
Put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to hold. Then, Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf-on-a-headset” Toolbar icon, choose Hold Frame (or type: Shift+H).
This displays the orange Retime editor bar above the clip, with a small red portion indicating the Hold frame.
Change the duration of the Hold frame by dragging the small thumb at the right end of the red bar.
Add a speed ramp transition at the end of the Hold frame by clicking the downward-pointing arrow next to the word “Hold” in the Retime Editor.
To change the actual frame being held, double-click the bar icon to the LEFT of the red Hold section and choose Source Frame (Edit). This allows you to slide the Hold frame selection left or right.
NOTE: Changing the source frame is a feature that I like a LOT!
3. SLOW (or FAST) MOTION
We use slow-motion to show events that are too fast for the unaided eye to see. And fast motion to speed up very slow events. Both of these effects use what’s called a “constant speed change,” where the entire clip changes by the same amount - either faster or slower.
WE create either effect using the same tools, just different values. Here’s how.
Select the clip who’s speed you want to change. Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” Toolbar icon, select Slow (or Fast).
Choose one of the available speeds; in this case, 50%. (Yes, you can change this to any value you want, I’ll show you how in a minute.)
Three things happen at once:
- The duration of the clip changes
- The orange Retiming bar appears over the top of the clip
- The speed of the clip changes
To reset the speed back to normal (100%), click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Normal (100%).
There are two ways to change the speed of a clip.
The easy way is to grab the small handle at the end of the clip and drag left or right. The speed will change as you drag it.
Or, for more precision, click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Custom.
This opens a new dialog allowing a number of changes:
- Reverse. Plays the clip in reverse.
- Rate. Select a specific speed change as a percentage of normal speed for a clip. Less than 100% is slow-motion. More than 100% is fast-motion.
- Duration. Select a specific duration for a clip and FCP X will calculate how fast or slow it needs to go.
- Ripple. When checked, adjusts the duration of a clip based upon the speed. When unchecked, the clip duration remains fixed even when speed changes.
You will get the smoothest speed changes when the percentage you choose divides evenly into 200. For example, 100, 66, 50, 40, 33, 25, 20, 10 and so on.
4. EXTRA CREDIT
There is one more setting to consider when slowing a clip. (This does not apply when creating fast motion.)
Using, again, either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” menu, select Video Quality.
- Normal. This is the best choice for speeds of 50% or faster.
- Frame Blending. This is the best choice for speeds of about 20% to 50%.
- Optical Flow. This is the best choice for speeds slower than about 20%.
Frame blending puts a short dissolve between frames when running in slow motion to improve the illusion of motion. Optical Flow invents in-between frames to minimize the jerkiness of extremely slow motion.
Frame blending is relatively fast and easy. Optical Flow will look better in most cases, but takes a long time to render.
This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, a professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
SUMMARY
Whether you want your clips to speed up, slow down or just plain stop, Final Cut Pro X makes the entire process easy.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A very simple, yet very effective effect is changing the speed of a video clip. This could be a simple still-frame (also called “Freeze Frame”) or playing a clip in slow or fast motion.
This article shows you how to do this using Final Cut Pro X.
For more tutorials on slow-motion please refer to this article: Top 10 Slow Motion Video Editing Software.
Freeze-Frames and Slow Motion in Final Cut Pro X
1. STILL FRAMES
A still-frame freezes action. For instance, here is a clip of a hummingbird getting ready to land on a bird feeder. I want to create a freeze-frame of the bird in flight. (Um, yeah, I use “freeze-frame” and “still-frame” interchangeably.)
In Final Cut Pro X, put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to freeze and type Option+F.
This creates a two-second freeze-frame at the position of the playhead.
Adjust the duration of the frame by trimming the edge; just like any other clip. Here, for example, I’m making the duration of the freeze-frame 11 frames shorter.
In case you were wondering, this is what the freeze looks like. It freezes the flight of the hummingbird in the middle of playback, allowing us to add graphics or other text then resume the action as though nothing had happened.
Very cool, except….
Well, the good news is that this is fast and easy. The bad news is that we can’t change the location of the still frame.
So, here’s another way to do this.
Put the playhead (or skimmer, but I prefer the playhead) on the frame you want to freeze, select the clip, then type Shift+F.
This locates the source clip in the Browser, selects both the Browser and the clip, and matches the position of the In, Out, and playhead.
Now, with the Browser selected, type Option+F. This creates a freeze-frame of the Browser clip and places it at the location of the playhead as a connected clip in the Timeline.
As a connected clip, we can move this new freeze-frame wherever we want. However, be careful in moving the clip, because, unless you mark the original frame with a marker (type “M”), there’s no easy way to match the still frame with the source frame, once the still frame is moved somewhere else.
I use both these techniques in many different projects.
2. HOLD FRAME
A Hold Frame is similar to an in-line still frame, but with more flexibility.
Put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to hold. Then, Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf-on-a-headset” Toolbar icon, choose Hold Frame (or type: Shift+H).
This displays the orange Retime editor bar above the clip, with a small red portion indicating the Hold frame.
Change the duration of the Hold frame by dragging the small thumb at the right end of the red bar.
Add a speed ramp transition at the end of the Hold frame by clicking the downward-pointing arrow next to the word “Hold” in the Retime Editor.
To change the actual frame being held, double-click the bar icon to the LEFT of the red Hold section and choose Source Frame (Edit). This allows you to slide the Hold frame selection left or right.
NOTE: Changing the source frame is a feature that I like a LOT!
3. SLOW (or FAST) MOTION
We use slow-motion to show events that are too fast for the unaided eye to see. And fast motion to speed up very slow events. Both of these effects use what’s called a “constant speed change,” where the entire clip changes by the same amount - either faster or slower.
WE create either effect using the same tools, just different values. Here’s how.
Select the clip who’s speed you want to change. Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” Toolbar icon, select Slow (or Fast).
Choose one of the available speeds; in this case, 50%. (Yes, you can change this to any value you want, I’ll show you how in a minute.)
Three things happen at once:
- The duration of the clip changes
- The orange Retiming bar appears over the top of the clip
- The speed of the clip changes
To reset the speed back to normal (100%), click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Normal (100%).
There are two ways to change the speed of a clip.
The easy way is to grab the small handle at the end of the clip and drag left or right. The speed will change as you drag it.
Or, for more precision, click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Custom.
This opens a new dialog allowing a number of changes:
- Reverse. Plays the clip in reverse.
- Rate. Select a specific speed change as a percentage of normal speed for a clip. Less than 100% is slow-motion. More than 100% is fast-motion.
- Duration. Select a specific duration for a clip and FCP X will calculate how fast or slow it needs to go.
- Ripple. When checked, adjusts the duration of a clip based upon the speed. When unchecked, the clip duration remains fixed even when speed changes.
You will get the smoothest speed changes when the percentage you choose divides evenly into 200. For example, 100, 66, 50, 40, 33, 25, 20, 10 and so on.
4. EXTRA CREDIT
There is one more setting to consider when slowing a clip. (This does not apply when creating fast motion.)
Using, again, either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” menu, select Video Quality.
- Normal. This is the best choice for speeds of 50% or faster.
- Frame Blending. This is the best choice for speeds of about 20% to 50%.
- Optical Flow. This is the best choice for speeds slower than about 20%.
Frame blending puts a short dissolve between frames when running in slow motion to improve the illusion of motion. Optical Flow invents in-between frames to minimize the jerkiness of extremely slow motion.
Frame blending is relatively fast and easy. Optical Flow will look better in most cases, but takes a long time to render.
This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, a professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
SUMMARY
Whether you want your clips to speed up, slow down or just plain stop, Final Cut Pro X makes the entire process easy.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A very simple, yet very effective effect is changing the speed of a video clip. This could be a simple still-frame (also called “Freeze Frame”) or playing a clip in slow or fast motion.
This article shows you how to do this using Final Cut Pro X.
For more tutorials on slow-motion please refer to this article: Top 10 Slow Motion Video Editing Software.
Freeze-Frames and Slow Motion in Final Cut Pro X
1. STILL FRAMES
A still-frame freezes action. For instance, here is a clip of a hummingbird getting ready to land on a bird feeder. I want to create a freeze-frame of the bird in flight. (Um, yeah, I use “freeze-frame” and “still-frame” interchangeably.)
In Final Cut Pro X, put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to freeze and type Option+F.
This creates a two-second freeze-frame at the position of the playhead.
Adjust the duration of the frame by trimming the edge; just like any other clip. Here, for example, I’m making the duration of the freeze-frame 11 frames shorter.
In case you were wondering, this is what the freeze looks like. It freezes the flight of the hummingbird in the middle of playback, allowing us to add graphics or other text then resume the action as though nothing had happened.
Very cool, except….
Well, the good news is that this is fast and easy. The bad news is that we can’t change the location of the still frame.
So, here’s another way to do this.
Put the playhead (or skimmer, but I prefer the playhead) on the frame you want to freeze, select the clip, then type Shift+F.
This locates the source clip in the Browser, selects both the Browser and the clip, and matches the position of the In, Out, and playhead.
Now, with the Browser selected, type Option+F. This creates a freeze-frame of the Browser clip and places it at the location of the playhead as a connected clip in the Timeline.
As a connected clip, we can move this new freeze-frame wherever we want. However, be careful in moving the clip, because, unless you mark the original frame with a marker (type “M”), there’s no easy way to match the still frame with the source frame, once the still frame is moved somewhere else.
I use both these techniques in many different projects.
2. HOLD FRAME
A Hold Frame is similar to an in-line still frame, but with more flexibility.
Put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to hold. Then, Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf-on-a-headset” Toolbar icon, choose Hold Frame (or type: Shift+H).
This displays the orange Retime editor bar above the clip, with a small red portion indicating the Hold frame.
Change the duration of the Hold frame by dragging the small thumb at the right end of the red bar.
Add a speed ramp transition at the end of the Hold frame by clicking the downward-pointing arrow next to the word “Hold” in the Retime Editor.
To change the actual frame being held, double-click the bar icon to the LEFT of the red Hold section and choose Source Frame (Edit). This allows you to slide the Hold frame selection left or right.
NOTE: Changing the source frame is a feature that I like a LOT!
3. SLOW (or FAST) MOTION
We use slow-motion to show events that are too fast for the unaided eye to see. And fast motion to speed up very slow events. Both of these effects use what’s called a “constant speed change,” where the entire clip changes by the same amount - either faster or slower.
WE create either effect using the same tools, just different values. Here’s how.
Select the clip who’s speed you want to change. Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” Toolbar icon, select Slow (or Fast).
Choose one of the available speeds; in this case, 50%. (Yes, you can change this to any value you want, I’ll show you how in a minute.)
Three things happen at once:
- The duration of the clip changes
- The orange Retiming bar appears over the top of the clip
- The speed of the clip changes
To reset the speed back to normal (100%), click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Normal (100%).
There are two ways to change the speed of a clip.
The easy way is to grab the small handle at the end of the clip and drag left or right. The speed will change as you drag it.
Or, for more precision, click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Custom.
This opens a new dialog allowing a number of changes:
- Reverse. Plays the clip in reverse.
- Rate. Select a specific speed change as a percentage of normal speed for a clip. Less than 100% is slow-motion. More than 100% is fast-motion.
- Duration. Select a specific duration for a clip and FCP X will calculate how fast or slow it needs to go.
- Ripple. When checked, adjusts the duration of a clip based upon the speed. When unchecked, the clip duration remains fixed even when speed changes.
You will get the smoothest speed changes when the percentage you choose divides evenly into 200. For example, 100, 66, 50, 40, 33, 25, 20, 10 and so on.
4. EXTRA CREDIT
There is one more setting to consider when slowing a clip. (This does not apply when creating fast motion.)
Using, again, either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” menu, select Video Quality.
- Normal. This is the best choice for speeds of 50% or faster.
- Frame Blending. This is the best choice for speeds of about 20% to 50%.
- Optical Flow. This is the best choice for speeds slower than about 20%.
Frame blending puts a short dissolve between frames when running in slow motion to improve the illusion of motion. Optical Flow invents in-between frames to minimize the jerkiness of extremely slow motion.
Frame blending is relatively fast and easy. Optical Flow will look better in most cases, but takes a long time to render.
This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, a professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
SUMMARY
Whether you want your clips to speed up, slow down or just plain stop, Final Cut Pro X makes the entire process easy.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A very simple, yet very effective effect is changing the speed of a video clip. This could be a simple still-frame (also called “Freeze Frame”) or playing a clip in slow or fast motion.
This article shows you how to do this using Final Cut Pro X.
For more tutorials on slow-motion please refer to this article: Top 10 Slow Motion Video Editing Software.
Freeze-Frames and Slow Motion in Final Cut Pro X
1. STILL FRAMES
A still-frame freezes action. For instance, here is a clip of a hummingbird getting ready to land on a bird feeder. I want to create a freeze-frame of the bird in flight. (Um, yeah, I use “freeze-frame” and “still-frame” interchangeably.)
In Final Cut Pro X, put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to freeze and type Option+F.
This creates a two-second freeze-frame at the position of the playhead.
Adjust the duration of the frame by trimming the edge; just like any other clip. Here, for example, I’m making the duration of the freeze-frame 11 frames shorter.
In case you were wondering, this is what the freeze looks like. It freezes the flight of the hummingbird in the middle of playback, allowing us to add graphics or other text then resume the action as though nothing had happened.
Very cool, except….
Well, the good news is that this is fast and easy. The bad news is that we can’t change the location of the still frame.
So, here’s another way to do this.
Put the playhead (or skimmer, but I prefer the playhead) on the frame you want to freeze, select the clip, then type Shift+F.
This locates the source clip in the Browser, selects both the Browser and the clip, and matches the position of the In, Out, and playhead.
Now, with the Browser selected, type Option+F. This creates a freeze-frame of the Browser clip and places it at the location of the playhead as a connected clip in the Timeline.
As a connected clip, we can move this new freeze-frame wherever we want. However, be careful in moving the clip, because, unless you mark the original frame with a marker (type “M”), there’s no easy way to match the still frame with the source frame, once the still frame is moved somewhere else.
I use both these techniques in many different projects.
2. HOLD FRAME
A Hold Frame is similar to an in-line still frame, but with more flexibility.
Put the playhead (or skimmer) on the frame you want to hold. Then, Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf-on-a-headset” Toolbar icon, choose Hold Frame (or type: Shift+H).
This displays the orange Retime editor bar above the clip, with a small red portion indicating the Hold frame.
Change the duration of the Hold frame by dragging the small thumb at the right end of the red bar.
Add a speed ramp transition at the end of the Hold frame by clicking the downward-pointing arrow next to the word “Hold” in the Retime Editor.
To change the actual frame being held, double-click the bar icon to the LEFT of the red Hold section and choose Source Frame (Edit). This allows you to slide the Hold frame selection left or right.
NOTE: Changing the source frame is a feature that I like a LOT!
3. SLOW (or FAST) MOTION
We use slow-motion to show events that are too fast for the unaided eye to see. And fast motion to speed up very slow events. Both of these effects use what’s called a “constant speed change,” where the entire clip changes by the same amount - either faster or slower.
WE create either effect using the same tools, just different values. Here’s how.
Select the clip who’s speed you want to change. Then, using either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” Toolbar icon, select Slow (or Fast).
Choose one of the available speeds; in this case, 50%. (Yes, you can change this to any value you want, I’ll show you how in a minute.)
Three things happen at once:
- The duration of the clip changes
- The orange Retiming bar appears over the top of the clip
- The speed of the clip changes
To reset the speed back to normal (100%), click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Normal (100%).
There are two ways to change the speed of a clip.
The easy way is to grab the small handle at the end of the clip and drag left or right. The speed will change as you drag it.
Or, for more precision, click the downward-pointing arrow in the Retiming bar and choose Custom.
This opens a new dialog allowing a number of changes:
- Reverse. Plays the clip in reverse.
- Rate. Select a specific speed change as a percentage of normal speed for a clip. Less than 100% is slow-motion. More than 100% is fast-motion.
- Duration. Select a specific duration for a clip and FCP X will calculate how fast or slow it needs to go.
- Ripple. When checked, adjusts the duration of a clip based upon the speed. When unchecked, the clip duration remains fixed even when speed changes.
You will get the smoothest speed changes when the percentage you choose divides evenly into 200. For example, 100, 66, 50, 40, 33, 25, 20, 10 and so on.
4. EXTRA CREDIT
There is one more setting to consider when slowing a clip. (This does not apply when creating fast motion.)
Using, again, either Modify > Retime or the “Smurf” menu, select Video Quality.
- Normal. This is the best choice for speeds of 50% or faster.
- Frame Blending. This is the best choice for speeds of about 20% to 50%.
- Optical Flow. This is the best choice for speeds slower than about 20%.
Frame blending puts a short dissolve between frames when running in slow motion to improve the illusion of motion. Optical Flow invents in-between frames to minimize the jerkiness of extremely slow motion.
Frame blending is relatively fast and easy. Optical Flow will look better in most cases, but takes a long time to render.
This is a basic tutorial about Apple Final Cut Pro X, a professional video editing software. However, if video editing is new to you, consider Wondershare Filmora for Mac . This is a powerful but easy-to-use tool for users just starting out. Download the free trial version below.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
SUMMARY
Whether you want your clips to speed up, slow down or just plain stop, Final Cut Pro X makes the entire process easy.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Best 12 Free Animation Software for Windows and Mac
Best 12 Free Download Animation Software for Windows and Mac
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
In your search for quality animation software, you may have found that many of the programs cost a lot of money no matter it is 2D animation software or 3D animation editor. The good news is that you can choose free animation tools to make different animation types easily.
That is why we created a list of the best animation software on both Mac and Windows. Whether you are a professional editor or just a beginner to start making animation, you will find the tools listed below are easy to use without watermark and won’t cost money to improve your skills.
The best part is you will find these free animation programs are also very useful for content creation on Mac and Windows. Besides, we have listed the pros and cons of each software. Keep reading!
- Part 1: Best Free Animation Software for Mac
- Part 2: Best Free Animation Software for Windows
- Part 3: FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
Here we have made a table of 12 free animation software without watermark on Windows and macOS. Take a look.
6 Free Animation Software for macOS
5K-3DMiddleIt is a great tool for 3D artists6KritaDifficultPerfect software for 2D animation
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Synfig Studio | Easy | Calculate vector shape to animation automatically |
2 | Pencil2D Animation | Easiest | Straightforward interface for beginners |
3 | Tupi | Middle | Its community is active to offer solutions |
4 | Blender | Difficult | It is a powerful animation tool to render and make modeling |
6 Free Animation Software for Windows
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | DAZ Studio | Difficult | For professional users with the fast animation process |
2 | Terragen | Middle | It can make realistic CG environments |
3 | Anim8or | Difficult | 3D animation is Anim8or’s main function |
4 | Seamless3d | Easy | It has many features for 3d modeling |
5 | OpenToonz | Middle | Make cartoon animation with plugins |
6 | Stykz | Easy | Quickly make animation if you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator |
Best Animation Software on Windows and Mac - Filmora
Looking for a simple while powerful Mac video editing tool ? We recommend using Wondershare Filmora. You can use it to create 2D/3D animated texts, shapes, or anything you like for YouTube videos.
The keyframing features will help you make animation effects smooth and precise. When exporting, you can also make it transparent.
Besides, various title templates and transitions are also available for you. Download it now to have a try! Or learn more from Wondershare Video Community .
Key features
- Create various shapes that you like
- Add keyframing to make it move
- Fine-tuning to make it smooth
- Add visual effects/text/color before export it
You can even create photo cut animation which has been very trendy on Tiktok and Instagram. Here is a video to present you how you can do it in Filmora.
Part 1 Best Free Animation Software for Mac
Listed below is free animation software on Mac. Take a look.
01 Synfig Studio - Mac Software to Animate Video
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: You can create many layers once a time and sync audio for your animation.
Con: This one needs much time to learn, especially for beginners.
An open-source 2D animation software that works on Macs, Synfig Studio delivers multiple players while you are creating content. Whether you want to add geometric, filters, distortions, or transformations, it is all possible! And thanks to the high-end bone system, you can create cut-out videos using bitmap images!
The thoughtful part is there are two download versions on the homepage: the stable version and the development version. If you want to enjoy a stable and smooth animation editing experience, choose the stable one. However, the development package gives you access to the use of the latest features.
For a novice, you can learn Synfig from step by step guide in Wikipedia and video tutorials. Four languages are available including English, Russian, Dutch, and French for a video course.
You can free download its latest version 1.3.11. The upcoming version is 1.4.
Features:
- It offers support for many layers within the animation.
- The program’s bone system means that you can easily create animations with bitmap images or vector artwork.
- It allows you to sync your creative work with any sound that you want. Has a full-featured audio editor.
02 Pencil2D Animation - Animation Program for 2D Pencil Lover
Difficulty Level: Easiest
Pro: Easy to start and make animation as the interface is user-friendly for many people.
Con: You need to set your preference every time to open it up, so it takes up some time
Pencil2D Animation is one of the simplest 2D hand-drawn tools available. It will work flawlessly on Mac computers. It is ideal for beginners, as the commands and interface are very easy to understand.
Whether you want to create a simple one, or you want something with many layers for videos on YouTube, you can use Pencil2D animation to get it done. Its timeline is easy to use at first glance. You can add and duplicate different frames on a different track.
The frequency of releasing the new version is very fast as Pencil2D is committed to bringing the lasted features to each user. The newest version is v0.6.4 (as of August 2019). Its user guide is informative with video tutorials, FAQs, and manual material.
Features:
- Lightweight and minimalistic design that makes it very easy for beginners.
- Features raster and vector workflows, with easy switching between them. You can paint and sketch as you want!
- Will run on all platforms - Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Completely free and open source.
03 TupiTube - Free Animation Application for Mac Users
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It supports vector illustrations. Besides, various formats are available.
Con: If you want to make 3D animation, it will fail. You can only make 2D effects.
A free software application for YouTube, Tupi will allow you to create 2D animations to your heart’s content. The tool was started by animators who wanted to create something that others could use.
It is an open-source tool, which means that users can make tweaks to the program if they have some interesting ideas. The program works on both Windows and Mac. You need to use Tupi and Papagayo to make lip-sync animation with different mouth shapes.
It also offers a solution for schools with related features including academic license, technical support, and ads-free, so many schools choose to use this one to teach kids how to make an animation video.
Features:
- Support for vector illustrations. You can add rectangles, lines, polygons, and other shapes as you please. To fill areas, just use the paint bucket.
- You can import raster images using this program.
- You can export all your finished images into different file formats.
- Support for tweeting positions, scale, shear, and rotations.
04 Blender - Need Some Time to Learn This Animation Tool
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Really powerful software that you can make for professional users.
Con: It is not easy to make image animation as it focuses on 3D.
Blender is an open-source 3D animation creation suite without a watermark. If you find that 2D is a little bit limiting, we think that you will be very happy with what this free program offers. You can take your projects to a whole new level when you can use this program on your Mac.
You can use Blender to make a video game, modeling, and high-quality animation. However, it involves a steep learning curve. Luckily, there are many tutorials to guide you through the journey. You can also ask for help in the Blender community that millions of talented people like you are there.
Features:
- Creating renders is no problem with this program.
- Modeling, such as sculpting, retopology, and creating curves is not an issue either.
- VFX and animation features are better than any option on the market.
- It offers powerful simulation tools.
- Integration with pipeline tools is easy.
05 K-3D - Best for Animation and Modeling in 3D
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: Ideal for designing simple 3D animations and models.
Con: It has an old-fashioned interface. Also, the built-render (RenderMan) feature is difficult to use by beginners.
K-3D is an animation and 3D modeling software. You can download this tool for free on your Mac. Besides, you can also install and run it on your Windows and Linux systems. If you look at the design, you will find that the software is quite old. But don’t judge a book by its cover. Why so? It is because K-3D is one of the strongest and most versatile tools for 3D artists with many options.
For example, K-3D offers extremely systematic and methodological workflows. You can easily adjust the properties of the features in real-time and get instant results. It has a node-oriented visualization pipeline to enjoy more freedom. That means you can create animation using a variety of combinations.
One of the best things about K-3D is that it has three subdivisions of animation. You can work on your model on one side while showing the other side in a mirrored form. Then, experience the final result combined together. And in case you need to make the changes to the end results, you can simply work on the first subdivision and savor automatic changes to the results.
K-3D has an advanced redo and undo mechanism to ensure you can go back or move forward to make corrections or amendments without limits. Additionally, the tool is developed keeping in mind all the industrial standards. For instance, it has complete support and integration of native RenderMan™ to its user interface. This is an excellent feature because most free animation software for Mac requires third-party render plugins.
Features:
- Parametric workflow.
- 2D and 3D animation tools.
- Allows Python and K3DScript scripting.
06 Krita - For Professional 2D Animators
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Advanced tools with numerous animation options and online training material.
Con: Not suitable for beginners.
If you love 2D animation, then you’ll surely love Krita. It is entirely free software available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Also, it offers a full platform for drawing and frame-by-frame animation.
The number one reason for adoring Krita is its brush library. There are more than 100 professional brushes to give you a wide range of effects. Moreover, the strokes are pretty amazing and similar to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
Another great thing about Krita is the brush stabilization feature designed for shaky hands. You can add a stabilizer to your chosen brush to smoothen its flow. Besides, there’s a special Dynamic Brush tool to make animation more fun. At the same time, you can also customize your brushes through different brush engines, including filter engines, color smudge engines, and many more.
Apart from the basic brush options, the preloaded vector tools are next to admire. These tools help you make great comic panels. All you need to do is choose and drag the word bubble template on your canvas. Then, make changes with the anchor point to make new shapes. At the same time, you can also add text to your animation by using the text tool.
Last but not least, there’s a wrap-around mode to create seamless patterns and textures. That means the image or drawing makes its own references along the x-axis and y-axis. This gives you the freedom to continue painting and enjoy updates to your animation instantly.
Features:
- HDR painting.
- PSD support.
- Python scripting.
- Selection and transformation tools.
- Proper group, filter, vector, and file layer management.
- Complete color management for extraordinary results.
- Drawing assistant to help you with straight lines and vanishing points.
Part 2 Best Free Animation Software for Windows
Below is free animation software on Windows. Keep reading.
01 Anireel - Easy to Use Animation Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Anireel is a simple yet powerful Video Creativity tool used to make 2D animated explainer videos. Developed by Wondershare, one of the most popular Windows software and tool developers, Anireel uses rich, ready-to-use, and diverse assets to help one effortlessly make animated videos.
Features:
- There are tons of drag and drop characters, actions, props, text, and audio assets.
- Easy Text-to-Speech conversion via deep studying technology.
- Animate integrated and imported assets.
- Tons of templates that match many script types.
02 DAZ Studio - Free Software for 3D Lovers
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: You can make game animation for fun. It also supports GPU accelerated real-time rendering.
Con: It has a high demand for the device, but owns a steep learning curve.
Daz 3d is a powerful and completely free 3D creation tool that will let you create the short videos that you want. Whether you are using this for business or pleasure, you will find the program is very easy to understand. Within a day, you will be completely used to its interface.
3D effects are the core focus of DAZ Studio. You can build a model, render, and pose animation within the skin texture level. It has a high requirement for the device. For Windows 64 bits, its recommended RAM is 3G.
Features:
- Options for 3D morphing, animation, and rendering.
- GPU accelerated real-time rendering, which delivers the best results.
- Interactive tutorials to help you become a better 3D artist.
- Everything you make is yours, royalty-free!
03 Terragen - Use It to Make CG Animation
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: The recently updated version is the best one. Ray-traced preview is a great function to help us make animation.
Con: The interface looks complicated, but it gets easy to know after you are familiar with it.
A completely free program that you can download and install on all Windows computers and tablets, Terragen is the ideal program for you to create the 3D animations and environments that you want. If you want a photo-realistic CG environment, using Terragen is the best way to do it!
Releasing imagination instantly, Terragen Creative is the one tool you’d like to consider. You can use it to make beautiful scenery.
For advanced tools, you can choose FBX to make animation quickly. The featured image gallery on its homepage will give you a deep understanding of the final outcome you can achieve with Terragen.
Features:
- Ray-traced preview. Without watermark after exporting
- Photo-realistic clouds and ozone simulation
- Rendering is twice as fast as the previous version of the program.
- Adding terrain, objects, and shader to your final product is very easy with the intuitive interface.
04 Anim8or - Free Tool to Make 3D Modeling
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Anim8or supports 3D modeler and TrueType fonts to meet advanced needs.
Con: Beginners will find it difficult to learn.
Anim8or is a free 3D modeling program that will let you create the unique work that you want. It is a personal project from an animator, but the program does get regular updates and troubleshooting.
It is not going to give you the same features as something like Studio Max or Maya, but you will get the basics. Beginners who are getting into animations will love this program.
Anim8or is a great tool to step into 3D animation ff you think other software is too different to start. In some way, it means you need to give up some advanced features. But all in all, it’s still recommended for you.
Features:
- A full 3D modeler that allows you to create spheres, cylinders, platonic solids, and any other objects that you want.
- Features support for TrueType fonts.
- Easy to create 3D scenes and output them as video files or images.
05 Seamless3d - Open-source Free Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is an open-source 3D modeling package. The good thing is the handy infinite Undo/Redo operation.
Con: Some advanced features are missing like drawing.
Seamless3d, an open-source 3D modeling software that you can download, is among the best animation worktables if you want to create specialized images, animated videos, or 3D characters.
It supports FFmpeg video format, so you can use AVI, MP4, and more. Besides, the forum is not active compared with before, but you still can find answers from many tutorials .
Features:
- It comes with infinite undo and redo options for complete flexibility to correct mistakes.
- It allows for partitioned and seamless texture mapping for YouTube videos.
- Has a specialized tree view interface.
06 OpenToonz - Support Plug in to Make Animation Freely
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It is open-source software, so you can change the code freely.
Con: The plug-in effects are limited.
This animation program is made for beginners on Windows. It is among the best 2D animation software in the market. You can use plug-in effects to change image style, add lights, and distort details. It supports Windows 7/8/10 only for 64 bit.
Features:
- You can add provisional colors to make your animation more colorful.
- Smooth correction without frame losing.
- Compatible with black-and-white, colored, or without binarization scanning.
7 Stykz - Simple to Use Animation Program for Beginners
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is the best stick figure animation if you want to make this kind of video.
Con: The UI is not modern to use and needs time to adapt to using it.
Stykz is completely free to use and without a watermark. If you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator, then you will find Stykz is similar to it, but you can import the previous .stk files to animate it again. You can use it to make animation smooth frame by frame.
With its frame-based feature, Stykz is easy to customize each frame. You can change previous and current frames to get what you want. You can download it to have a try considering its easy-to-use features.
Features:
- There is some animes file on this website, so you can have a reference.
- Edit animation in the software without using another editing window.
- You can share the final work with others including information.
Part 3 FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
01 Are Macs good for animation?
To be frank, Mac is a better choice to make animation if you want to have a smooth animation experience. For example, screen resolution is a crucial factor to make excellent animation. The good is Mac’s screen will never let you disappointed.
02 What is the best animation software for Mac?
The best animation software on mac includes Synfig Studio, Pencil2D Animation, Tupi, Blender, and more. Mentioned are free-to-use. Maya is also worth considering animation software if you are a professional user. Maya offers a 1-month free trial. After it is ended, the paid plans are month, 1-year, and 3-year.
03 Can you animate in Photoshop?
Yes, you can make basic animation in Photoshop. However, it only supports frame-based animation making. In this case, you need to use other professional software to make animation. But, you still can use Photoshop to meet your needs if you are a beginner.
Conclusion
With any of these free animation maker programs on Mac and Windows, you will have an easy time creating your next 2D or 3D video. Ensure you choose the program that has the features and compatibility that you desire. Then it is up to your creative mind to come up with stunning animations! If you want to make animation easily, you can also find inspiration through classical animated cartoon types with examples .
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
In your search for quality animation software, you may have found that many of the programs cost a lot of money no matter it is 2D animation software or 3D animation editor. The good news is that you can choose free animation tools to make different animation types easily.
That is why we created a list of the best animation software on both Mac and Windows. Whether you are a professional editor or just a beginner to start making animation, you will find the tools listed below are easy to use without watermark and won’t cost money to improve your skills.
The best part is you will find these free animation programs are also very useful for content creation on Mac and Windows. Besides, we have listed the pros and cons of each software. Keep reading!
- Part 1: Best Free Animation Software for Mac
- Part 2: Best Free Animation Software for Windows
- Part 3: FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
Here we have made a table of 12 free animation software without watermark on Windows and macOS. Take a look.
6 Free Animation Software for macOS
5K-3DMiddleIt is a great tool for 3D artists6KritaDifficultPerfect software for 2D animation
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Synfig Studio | Easy | Calculate vector shape to animation automatically |
2 | Pencil2D Animation | Easiest | Straightforward interface for beginners |
3 | Tupi | Middle | Its community is active to offer solutions |
4 | Blender | Difficult | It is a powerful animation tool to render and make modeling |
6 Free Animation Software for Windows
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | DAZ Studio | Difficult | For professional users with the fast animation process |
2 | Terragen | Middle | It can make realistic CG environments |
3 | Anim8or | Difficult | 3D animation is Anim8or’s main function |
4 | Seamless3d | Easy | It has many features for 3d modeling |
5 | OpenToonz | Middle | Make cartoon animation with plugins |
6 | Stykz | Easy | Quickly make animation if you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator |
Best Animation Software on Windows and Mac - Filmora
Looking for a simple while powerful Mac video editing tool ? We recommend using Wondershare Filmora. You can use it to create 2D/3D animated texts, shapes, or anything you like for YouTube videos.
The keyframing features will help you make animation effects smooth and precise. When exporting, you can also make it transparent.
Besides, various title templates and transitions are also available for you. Download it now to have a try! Or learn more from Wondershare Video Community .
Key features
- Create various shapes that you like
- Add keyframing to make it move
- Fine-tuning to make it smooth
- Add visual effects/text/color before export it
You can even create photo cut animation which has been very trendy on Tiktok and Instagram. Here is a video to present you how you can do it in Filmora.
Part 1 Best Free Animation Software for Mac
Listed below is free animation software on Mac. Take a look.
01 Synfig Studio - Mac Software to Animate Video
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: You can create many layers once a time and sync audio for your animation.
Con: This one needs much time to learn, especially for beginners.
An open-source 2D animation software that works on Macs, Synfig Studio delivers multiple players while you are creating content. Whether you want to add geometric, filters, distortions, or transformations, it is all possible! And thanks to the high-end bone system, you can create cut-out videos using bitmap images!
The thoughtful part is there are two download versions on the homepage: the stable version and the development version. If you want to enjoy a stable and smooth animation editing experience, choose the stable one. However, the development package gives you access to the use of the latest features.
For a novice, you can learn Synfig from step by step guide in Wikipedia and video tutorials. Four languages are available including English, Russian, Dutch, and French for a video course.
You can free download its latest version 1.3.11. The upcoming version is 1.4.
Features:
- It offers support for many layers within the animation.
- The program’s bone system means that you can easily create animations with bitmap images or vector artwork.
- It allows you to sync your creative work with any sound that you want. Has a full-featured audio editor.
02 Pencil2D Animation - Animation Program for 2D Pencil Lover
Difficulty Level: Easiest
Pro: Easy to start and make animation as the interface is user-friendly for many people.
Con: You need to set your preference every time to open it up, so it takes up some time
Pencil2D Animation is one of the simplest 2D hand-drawn tools available. It will work flawlessly on Mac computers. It is ideal for beginners, as the commands and interface are very easy to understand.
Whether you want to create a simple one, or you want something with many layers for videos on YouTube, you can use Pencil2D animation to get it done. Its timeline is easy to use at first glance. You can add and duplicate different frames on a different track.
The frequency of releasing the new version is very fast as Pencil2D is committed to bringing the lasted features to each user. The newest version is v0.6.4 (as of August 2019). Its user guide is informative with video tutorials, FAQs, and manual material.
Features:
- Lightweight and minimalistic design that makes it very easy for beginners.
- Features raster and vector workflows, with easy switching between them. You can paint and sketch as you want!
- Will run on all platforms - Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Completely free and open source.
03 TupiTube - Free Animation Application for Mac Users
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It supports vector illustrations. Besides, various formats are available.
Con: If you want to make 3D animation, it will fail. You can only make 2D effects.
A free software application for YouTube, Tupi will allow you to create 2D animations to your heart’s content. The tool was started by animators who wanted to create something that others could use.
It is an open-source tool, which means that users can make tweaks to the program if they have some interesting ideas. The program works on both Windows and Mac. You need to use Tupi and Papagayo to make lip-sync animation with different mouth shapes.
It also offers a solution for schools with related features including academic license, technical support, and ads-free, so many schools choose to use this one to teach kids how to make an animation video.
Features:
- Support for vector illustrations. You can add rectangles, lines, polygons, and other shapes as you please. To fill areas, just use the paint bucket.
- You can import raster images using this program.
- You can export all your finished images into different file formats.
- Support for tweeting positions, scale, shear, and rotations.
04 Blender - Need Some Time to Learn This Animation Tool
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Really powerful software that you can make for professional users.
Con: It is not easy to make image animation as it focuses on 3D.
Blender is an open-source 3D animation creation suite without a watermark. If you find that 2D is a little bit limiting, we think that you will be very happy with what this free program offers. You can take your projects to a whole new level when you can use this program on your Mac.
You can use Blender to make a video game, modeling, and high-quality animation. However, it involves a steep learning curve. Luckily, there are many tutorials to guide you through the journey. You can also ask for help in the Blender community that millions of talented people like you are there.
Features:
- Creating renders is no problem with this program.
- Modeling, such as sculpting, retopology, and creating curves is not an issue either.
- VFX and animation features are better than any option on the market.
- It offers powerful simulation tools.
- Integration with pipeline tools is easy.
05 K-3D - Best for Animation and Modeling in 3D
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: Ideal for designing simple 3D animations and models.
Con: It has an old-fashioned interface. Also, the built-render (RenderMan) feature is difficult to use by beginners.
K-3D is an animation and 3D modeling software. You can download this tool for free on your Mac. Besides, you can also install and run it on your Windows and Linux systems. If you look at the design, you will find that the software is quite old. But don’t judge a book by its cover. Why so? It is because K-3D is one of the strongest and most versatile tools for 3D artists with many options.
For example, K-3D offers extremely systematic and methodological workflows. You can easily adjust the properties of the features in real-time and get instant results. It has a node-oriented visualization pipeline to enjoy more freedom. That means you can create animation using a variety of combinations.
One of the best things about K-3D is that it has three subdivisions of animation. You can work on your model on one side while showing the other side in a mirrored form. Then, experience the final result combined together. And in case you need to make the changes to the end results, you can simply work on the first subdivision and savor automatic changes to the results.
K-3D has an advanced redo and undo mechanism to ensure you can go back or move forward to make corrections or amendments without limits. Additionally, the tool is developed keeping in mind all the industrial standards. For instance, it has complete support and integration of native RenderMan™ to its user interface. This is an excellent feature because most free animation software for Mac requires third-party render plugins.
Features:
- Parametric workflow.
- 2D and 3D animation tools.
- Allows Python and K3DScript scripting.
06 Krita - For Professional 2D Animators
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Advanced tools with numerous animation options and online training material.
Con: Not suitable for beginners.
If you love 2D animation, then you’ll surely love Krita. It is entirely free software available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Also, it offers a full platform for drawing and frame-by-frame animation.
The number one reason for adoring Krita is its brush library. There are more than 100 professional brushes to give you a wide range of effects. Moreover, the strokes are pretty amazing and similar to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
Another great thing about Krita is the brush stabilization feature designed for shaky hands. You can add a stabilizer to your chosen brush to smoothen its flow. Besides, there’s a special Dynamic Brush tool to make animation more fun. At the same time, you can also customize your brushes through different brush engines, including filter engines, color smudge engines, and many more.
Apart from the basic brush options, the preloaded vector tools are next to admire. These tools help you make great comic panels. All you need to do is choose and drag the word bubble template on your canvas. Then, make changes with the anchor point to make new shapes. At the same time, you can also add text to your animation by using the text tool.
Last but not least, there’s a wrap-around mode to create seamless patterns and textures. That means the image or drawing makes its own references along the x-axis and y-axis. This gives you the freedom to continue painting and enjoy updates to your animation instantly.
Features:
- HDR painting.
- PSD support.
- Python scripting.
- Selection and transformation tools.
- Proper group, filter, vector, and file layer management.
- Complete color management for extraordinary results.
- Drawing assistant to help you with straight lines and vanishing points.
Part 2 Best Free Animation Software for Windows
Below is free animation software on Windows. Keep reading.
01 Anireel - Easy to Use Animation Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Anireel is a simple yet powerful Video Creativity tool used to make 2D animated explainer videos. Developed by Wondershare, one of the most popular Windows software and tool developers, Anireel uses rich, ready-to-use, and diverse assets to help one effortlessly make animated videos.
Features:
- There are tons of drag and drop characters, actions, props, text, and audio assets.
- Easy Text-to-Speech conversion via deep studying technology.
- Animate integrated and imported assets.
- Tons of templates that match many script types.
02 DAZ Studio - Free Software for 3D Lovers
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: You can make game animation for fun. It also supports GPU accelerated real-time rendering.
Con: It has a high demand for the device, but owns a steep learning curve.
Daz 3d is a powerful and completely free 3D creation tool that will let you create the short videos that you want. Whether you are using this for business or pleasure, you will find the program is very easy to understand. Within a day, you will be completely used to its interface.
3D effects are the core focus of DAZ Studio. You can build a model, render, and pose animation within the skin texture level. It has a high requirement for the device. For Windows 64 bits, its recommended RAM is 3G.
Features:
- Options for 3D morphing, animation, and rendering.
- GPU accelerated real-time rendering, which delivers the best results.
- Interactive tutorials to help you become a better 3D artist.
- Everything you make is yours, royalty-free!
03 Terragen - Use It to Make CG Animation
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: The recently updated version is the best one. Ray-traced preview is a great function to help us make animation.
Con: The interface looks complicated, but it gets easy to know after you are familiar with it.
A completely free program that you can download and install on all Windows computers and tablets, Terragen is the ideal program for you to create the 3D animations and environments that you want. If you want a photo-realistic CG environment, using Terragen is the best way to do it!
Releasing imagination instantly, Terragen Creative is the one tool you’d like to consider. You can use it to make beautiful scenery.
For advanced tools, you can choose FBX to make animation quickly. The featured image gallery on its homepage will give you a deep understanding of the final outcome you can achieve with Terragen.
Features:
- Ray-traced preview. Without watermark after exporting
- Photo-realistic clouds and ozone simulation
- Rendering is twice as fast as the previous version of the program.
- Adding terrain, objects, and shader to your final product is very easy with the intuitive interface.
04 Anim8or - Free Tool to Make 3D Modeling
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Anim8or supports 3D modeler and TrueType fonts to meet advanced needs.
Con: Beginners will find it difficult to learn.
Anim8or is a free 3D modeling program that will let you create the unique work that you want. It is a personal project from an animator, but the program does get regular updates and troubleshooting.
It is not going to give you the same features as something like Studio Max or Maya, but you will get the basics. Beginners who are getting into animations will love this program.
Anim8or is a great tool to step into 3D animation ff you think other software is too different to start. In some way, it means you need to give up some advanced features. But all in all, it’s still recommended for you.
Features:
- A full 3D modeler that allows you to create spheres, cylinders, platonic solids, and any other objects that you want.
- Features support for TrueType fonts.
- Easy to create 3D scenes and output them as video files or images.
05 Seamless3d - Open-source Free Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is an open-source 3D modeling package. The good thing is the handy infinite Undo/Redo operation.
Con: Some advanced features are missing like drawing.
Seamless3d, an open-source 3D modeling software that you can download, is among the best animation worktables if you want to create specialized images, animated videos, or 3D characters.
It supports FFmpeg video format, so you can use AVI, MP4, and more. Besides, the forum is not active compared with before, but you still can find answers from many tutorials .
Features:
- It comes with infinite undo and redo options for complete flexibility to correct mistakes.
- It allows for partitioned and seamless texture mapping for YouTube videos.
- Has a specialized tree view interface.
06 OpenToonz - Support Plug in to Make Animation Freely
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It is open-source software, so you can change the code freely.
Con: The plug-in effects are limited.
This animation program is made for beginners on Windows. It is among the best 2D animation software in the market. You can use plug-in effects to change image style, add lights, and distort details. It supports Windows 7/8/10 only for 64 bit.
Features:
- You can add provisional colors to make your animation more colorful.
- Smooth correction without frame losing.
- Compatible with black-and-white, colored, or without binarization scanning.
7 Stykz - Simple to Use Animation Program for Beginners
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is the best stick figure animation if you want to make this kind of video.
Con: The UI is not modern to use and needs time to adapt to using it.
Stykz is completely free to use and without a watermark. If you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator, then you will find Stykz is similar to it, but you can import the previous .stk files to animate it again. You can use it to make animation smooth frame by frame.
With its frame-based feature, Stykz is easy to customize each frame. You can change previous and current frames to get what you want. You can download it to have a try considering its easy-to-use features.
Features:
- There is some animes file on this website, so you can have a reference.
- Edit animation in the software without using another editing window.
- You can share the final work with others including information.
Part 3 FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
01 Are Macs good for animation?
To be frank, Mac is a better choice to make animation if you want to have a smooth animation experience. For example, screen resolution is a crucial factor to make excellent animation. The good is Mac’s screen will never let you disappointed.
02 What is the best animation software for Mac?
The best animation software on mac includes Synfig Studio, Pencil2D Animation, Tupi, Blender, and more. Mentioned are free-to-use. Maya is also worth considering animation software if you are a professional user. Maya offers a 1-month free trial. After it is ended, the paid plans are month, 1-year, and 3-year.
03 Can you animate in Photoshop?
Yes, you can make basic animation in Photoshop. However, it only supports frame-based animation making. In this case, you need to use other professional software to make animation. But, you still can use Photoshop to meet your needs if you are a beginner.
Conclusion
With any of these free animation maker programs on Mac and Windows, you will have an easy time creating your next 2D or 3D video. Ensure you choose the program that has the features and compatibility that you desire. Then it is up to your creative mind to come up with stunning animations! If you want to make animation easily, you can also find inspiration through classical animated cartoon types with examples .
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
In your search for quality animation software, you may have found that many of the programs cost a lot of money no matter it is 2D animation software or 3D animation editor. The good news is that you can choose free animation tools to make different animation types easily.
That is why we created a list of the best animation software on both Mac and Windows. Whether you are a professional editor or just a beginner to start making animation, you will find the tools listed below are easy to use without watermark and won’t cost money to improve your skills.
The best part is you will find these free animation programs are also very useful for content creation on Mac and Windows. Besides, we have listed the pros and cons of each software. Keep reading!
- Part 1: Best Free Animation Software for Mac
- Part 2: Best Free Animation Software for Windows
- Part 3: FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
Here we have made a table of 12 free animation software without watermark on Windows and macOS. Take a look.
6 Free Animation Software for macOS
5K-3DMiddleIt is a great tool for 3D artists6KritaDifficultPerfect software for 2D animation
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Synfig Studio | Easy | Calculate vector shape to animation automatically |
2 | Pencil2D Animation | Easiest | Straightforward interface for beginners |
3 | Tupi | Middle | Its community is active to offer solutions |
4 | Blender | Difficult | It is a powerful animation tool to render and make modeling |
6 Free Animation Software for Windows
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | DAZ Studio | Difficult | For professional users with the fast animation process |
2 | Terragen | Middle | It can make realistic CG environments |
3 | Anim8or | Difficult | 3D animation is Anim8or’s main function |
4 | Seamless3d | Easy | It has many features for 3d modeling |
5 | OpenToonz | Middle | Make cartoon animation with plugins |
6 | Stykz | Easy | Quickly make animation if you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator |
Best Animation Software on Windows and Mac - Filmora
Looking for a simple while powerful Mac video editing tool ? We recommend using Wondershare Filmora. You can use it to create 2D/3D animated texts, shapes, or anything you like for YouTube videos.
The keyframing features will help you make animation effects smooth and precise. When exporting, you can also make it transparent.
Besides, various title templates and transitions are also available for you. Download it now to have a try! Or learn more from Wondershare Video Community .
Key features
- Create various shapes that you like
- Add keyframing to make it move
- Fine-tuning to make it smooth
- Add visual effects/text/color before export it
You can even create photo cut animation which has been very trendy on Tiktok and Instagram. Here is a video to present you how you can do it in Filmora.
Part 1 Best Free Animation Software for Mac
Listed below is free animation software on Mac. Take a look.
01 Synfig Studio - Mac Software to Animate Video
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: You can create many layers once a time and sync audio for your animation.
Con: This one needs much time to learn, especially for beginners.
An open-source 2D animation software that works on Macs, Synfig Studio delivers multiple players while you are creating content. Whether you want to add geometric, filters, distortions, or transformations, it is all possible! And thanks to the high-end bone system, you can create cut-out videos using bitmap images!
The thoughtful part is there are two download versions on the homepage: the stable version and the development version. If you want to enjoy a stable and smooth animation editing experience, choose the stable one. However, the development package gives you access to the use of the latest features.
For a novice, you can learn Synfig from step by step guide in Wikipedia and video tutorials. Four languages are available including English, Russian, Dutch, and French for a video course.
You can free download its latest version 1.3.11. The upcoming version is 1.4.
Features:
- It offers support for many layers within the animation.
- The program’s bone system means that you can easily create animations with bitmap images or vector artwork.
- It allows you to sync your creative work with any sound that you want. Has a full-featured audio editor.
02 Pencil2D Animation - Animation Program for 2D Pencil Lover
Difficulty Level: Easiest
Pro: Easy to start and make animation as the interface is user-friendly for many people.
Con: You need to set your preference every time to open it up, so it takes up some time
Pencil2D Animation is one of the simplest 2D hand-drawn tools available. It will work flawlessly on Mac computers. It is ideal for beginners, as the commands and interface are very easy to understand.
Whether you want to create a simple one, or you want something with many layers for videos on YouTube, you can use Pencil2D animation to get it done. Its timeline is easy to use at first glance. You can add and duplicate different frames on a different track.
The frequency of releasing the new version is very fast as Pencil2D is committed to bringing the lasted features to each user. The newest version is v0.6.4 (as of August 2019). Its user guide is informative with video tutorials, FAQs, and manual material.
Features:
- Lightweight and minimalistic design that makes it very easy for beginners.
- Features raster and vector workflows, with easy switching between them. You can paint and sketch as you want!
- Will run on all platforms - Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Completely free and open source.
03 TupiTube - Free Animation Application for Mac Users
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It supports vector illustrations. Besides, various formats are available.
Con: If you want to make 3D animation, it will fail. You can only make 2D effects.
A free software application for YouTube, Tupi will allow you to create 2D animations to your heart’s content. The tool was started by animators who wanted to create something that others could use.
It is an open-source tool, which means that users can make tweaks to the program if they have some interesting ideas. The program works on both Windows and Mac. You need to use Tupi and Papagayo to make lip-sync animation with different mouth shapes.
It also offers a solution for schools with related features including academic license, technical support, and ads-free, so many schools choose to use this one to teach kids how to make an animation video.
Features:
- Support for vector illustrations. You can add rectangles, lines, polygons, and other shapes as you please. To fill areas, just use the paint bucket.
- You can import raster images using this program.
- You can export all your finished images into different file formats.
- Support for tweeting positions, scale, shear, and rotations.
04 Blender - Need Some Time to Learn This Animation Tool
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Really powerful software that you can make for professional users.
Con: It is not easy to make image animation as it focuses on 3D.
Blender is an open-source 3D animation creation suite without a watermark. If you find that 2D is a little bit limiting, we think that you will be very happy with what this free program offers. You can take your projects to a whole new level when you can use this program on your Mac.
You can use Blender to make a video game, modeling, and high-quality animation. However, it involves a steep learning curve. Luckily, there are many tutorials to guide you through the journey. You can also ask for help in the Blender community that millions of talented people like you are there.
Features:
- Creating renders is no problem with this program.
- Modeling, such as sculpting, retopology, and creating curves is not an issue either.
- VFX and animation features are better than any option on the market.
- It offers powerful simulation tools.
- Integration with pipeline tools is easy.
05 K-3D - Best for Animation and Modeling in 3D
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: Ideal for designing simple 3D animations and models.
Con: It has an old-fashioned interface. Also, the built-render (RenderMan) feature is difficult to use by beginners.
K-3D is an animation and 3D modeling software. You can download this tool for free on your Mac. Besides, you can also install and run it on your Windows and Linux systems. If you look at the design, you will find that the software is quite old. But don’t judge a book by its cover. Why so? It is because K-3D is one of the strongest and most versatile tools for 3D artists with many options.
For example, K-3D offers extremely systematic and methodological workflows. You can easily adjust the properties of the features in real-time and get instant results. It has a node-oriented visualization pipeline to enjoy more freedom. That means you can create animation using a variety of combinations.
One of the best things about K-3D is that it has three subdivisions of animation. You can work on your model on one side while showing the other side in a mirrored form. Then, experience the final result combined together. And in case you need to make the changes to the end results, you can simply work on the first subdivision and savor automatic changes to the results.
K-3D has an advanced redo and undo mechanism to ensure you can go back or move forward to make corrections or amendments without limits. Additionally, the tool is developed keeping in mind all the industrial standards. For instance, it has complete support and integration of native RenderMan™ to its user interface. This is an excellent feature because most free animation software for Mac requires third-party render plugins.
Features:
- Parametric workflow.
- 2D and 3D animation tools.
- Allows Python and K3DScript scripting.
06 Krita - For Professional 2D Animators
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Advanced tools with numerous animation options and online training material.
Con: Not suitable for beginners.
If you love 2D animation, then you’ll surely love Krita. It is entirely free software available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Also, it offers a full platform for drawing and frame-by-frame animation.
The number one reason for adoring Krita is its brush library. There are more than 100 professional brushes to give you a wide range of effects. Moreover, the strokes are pretty amazing and similar to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
Another great thing about Krita is the brush stabilization feature designed for shaky hands. You can add a stabilizer to your chosen brush to smoothen its flow. Besides, there’s a special Dynamic Brush tool to make animation more fun. At the same time, you can also customize your brushes through different brush engines, including filter engines, color smudge engines, and many more.
Apart from the basic brush options, the preloaded vector tools are next to admire. These tools help you make great comic panels. All you need to do is choose and drag the word bubble template on your canvas. Then, make changes with the anchor point to make new shapes. At the same time, you can also add text to your animation by using the text tool.
Last but not least, there’s a wrap-around mode to create seamless patterns and textures. That means the image or drawing makes its own references along the x-axis and y-axis. This gives you the freedom to continue painting and enjoy updates to your animation instantly.
Features:
- HDR painting.
- PSD support.
- Python scripting.
- Selection and transformation tools.
- Proper group, filter, vector, and file layer management.
- Complete color management for extraordinary results.
- Drawing assistant to help you with straight lines and vanishing points.
Part 2 Best Free Animation Software for Windows
Below is free animation software on Windows. Keep reading.
01 Anireel - Easy to Use Animation Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Anireel is a simple yet powerful Video Creativity tool used to make 2D animated explainer videos. Developed by Wondershare, one of the most popular Windows software and tool developers, Anireel uses rich, ready-to-use, and diverse assets to help one effortlessly make animated videos.
Features:
- There are tons of drag and drop characters, actions, props, text, and audio assets.
- Easy Text-to-Speech conversion via deep studying technology.
- Animate integrated and imported assets.
- Tons of templates that match many script types.
02 DAZ Studio - Free Software for 3D Lovers
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: You can make game animation for fun. It also supports GPU accelerated real-time rendering.
Con: It has a high demand for the device, but owns a steep learning curve.
Daz 3d is a powerful and completely free 3D creation tool that will let you create the short videos that you want. Whether you are using this for business or pleasure, you will find the program is very easy to understand. Within a day, you will be completely used to its interface.
3D effects are the core focus of DAZ Studio. You can build a model, render, and pose animation within the skin texture level. It has a high requirement for the device. For Windows 64 bits, its recommended RAM is 3G.
Features:
- Options for 3D morphing, animation, and rendering.
- GPU accelerated real-time rendering, which delivers the best results.
- Interactive tutorials to help you become a better 3D artist.
- Everything you make is yours, royalty-free!
03 Terragen - Use It to Make CG Animation
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: The recently updated version is the best one. Ray-traced preview is a great function to help us make animation.
Con: The interface looks complicated, but it gets easy to know after you are familiar with it.
A completely free program that you can download and install on all Windows computers and tablets, Terragen is the ideal program for you to create the 3D animations and environments that you want. If you want a photo-realistic CG environment, using Terragen is the best way to do it!
Releasing imagination instantly, Terragen Creative is the one tool you’d like to consider. You can use it to make beautiful scenery.
For advanced tools, you can choose FBX to make animation quickly. The featured image gallery on its homepage will give you a deep understanding of the final outcome you can achieve with Terragen.
Features:
- Ray-traced preview. Without watermark after exporting
- Photo-realistic clouds and ozone simulation
- Rendering is twice as fast as the previous version of the program.
- Adding terrain, objects, and shader to your final product is very easy with the intuitive interface.
04 Anim8or - Free Tool to Make 3D Modeling
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Anim8or supports 3D modeler and TrueType fonts to meet advanced needs.
Con: Beginners will find it difficult to learn.
Anim8or is a free 3D modeling program that will let you create the unique work that you want. It is a personal project from an animator, but the program does get regular updates and troubleshooting.
It is not going to give you the same features as something like Studio Max or Maya, but you will get the basics. Beginners who are getting into animations will love this program.
Anim8or is a great tool to step into 3D animation ff you think other software is too different to start. In some way, it means you need to give up some advanced features. But all in all, it’s still recommended for you.
Features:
- A full 3D modeler that allows you to create spheres, cylinders, platonic solids, and any other objects that you want.
- Features support for TrueType fonts.
- Easy to create 3D scenes and output them as video files or images.
05 Seamless3d - Open-source Free Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is an open-source 3D modeling package. The good thing is the handy infinite Undo/Redo operation.
Con: Some advanced features are missing like drawing.
Seamless3d, an open-source 3D modeling software that you can download, is among the best animation worktables if you want to create specialized images, animated videos, or 3D characters.
It supports FFmpeg video format, so you can use AVI, MP4, and more. Besides, the forum is not active compared with before, but you still can find answers from many tutorials .
Features:
- It comes with infinite undo and redo options for complete flexibility to correct mistakes.
- It allows for partitioned and seamless texture mapping for YouTube videos.
- Has a specialized tree view interface.
06 OpenToonz - Support Plug in to Make Animation Freely
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It is open-source software, so you can change the code freely.
Con: The plug-in effects are limited.
This animation program is made for beginners on Windows. It is among the best 2D animation software in the market. You can use plug-in effects to change image style, add lights, and distort details. It supports Windows 7/8/10 only for 64 bit.
Features:
- You can add provisional colors to make your animation more colorful.
- Smooth correction without frame losing.
- Compatible with black-and-white, colored, or without binarization scanning.
7 Stykz - Simple to Use Animation Program for Beginners
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is the best stick figure animation if you want to make this kind of video.
Con: The UI is not modern to use and needs time to adapt to using it.
Stykz is completely free to use and without a watermark. If you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator, then you will find Stykz is similar to it, but you can import the previous .stk files to animate it again. You can use it to make animation smooth frame by frame.
With its frame-based feature, Stykz is easy to customize each frame. You can change previous and current frames to get what you want. You can download it to have a try considering its easy-to-use features.
Features:
- There is some animes file on this website, so you can have a reference.
- Edit animation in the software without using another editing window.
- You can share the final work with others including information.
Part 3 FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
01 Are Macs good for animation?
To be frank, Mac is a better choice to make animation if you want to have a smooth animation experience. For example, screen resolution is a crucial factor to make excellent animation. The good is Mac’s screen will never let you disappointed.
02 What is the best animation software for Mac?
The best animation software on mac includes Synfig Studio, Pencil2D Animation, Tupi, Blender, and more. Mentioned are free-to-use. Maya is also worth considering animation software if you are a professional user. Maya offers a 1-month free trial. After it is ended, the paid plans are month, 1-year, and 3-year.
03 Can you animate in Photoshop?
Yes, you can make basic animation in Photoshop. However, it only supports frame-based animation making. In this case, you need to use other professional software to make animation. But, you still can use Photoshop to meet your needs if you are a beginner.
Conclusion
With any of these free animation maker programs on Mac and Windows, you will have an easy time creating your next 2D or 3D video. Ensure you choose the program that has the features and compatibility that you desire. Then it is up to your creative mind to come up with stunning animations! If you want to make animation easily, you can also find inspiration through classical animated cartoon types with examples .
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
In your search for quality animation software, you may have found that many of the programs cost a lot of money no matter it is 2D animation software or 3D animation editor. The good news is that you can choose free animation tools to make different animation types easily.
That is why we created a list of the best animation software on both Mac and Windows. Whether you are a professional editor or just a beginner to start making animation, you will find the tools listed below are easy to use without watermark and won’t cost money to improve your skills.
The best part is you will find these free animation programs are also very useful for content creation on Mac and Windows. Besides, we have listed the pros and cons of each software. Keep reading!
- Part 1: Best Free Animation Software for Mac
- Part 2: Best Free Animation Software for Windows
- Part 3: FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
Here we have made a table of 12 free animation software without watermark on Windows and macOS. Take a look.
6 Free Animation Software for macOS
5K-3DMiddleIt is a great tool for 3D artists6KritaDifficultPerfect software for 2D animation
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Synfig Studio | Easy | Calculate vector shape to animation automatically |
2 | Pencil2D Animation | Easiest | Straightforward interface for beginners |
3 | Tupi | Middle | Its community is active to offer solutions |
4 | Blender | Difficult | It is a powerful animation tool to render and make modeling |
6 Free Animation Software for Windows
Number | Software | Difficulty Level | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
1 | DAZ Studio | Difficult | For professional users with the fast animation process |
2 | Terragen | Middle | It can make realistic CG environments |
3 | Anim8or | Difficult | 3D animation is Anim8or’s main function |
4 | Seamless3d | Easy | It has many features for 3d modeling |
5 | OpenToonz | Middle | Make cartoon animation with plugins |
6 | Stykz | Easy | Quickly make animation if you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator |
Best Animation Software on Windows and Mac - Filmora
Looking for a simple while powerful Mac video editing tool ? We recommend using Wondershare Filmora. You can use it to create 2D/3D animated texts, shapes, or anything you like for YouTube videos.
The keyframing features will help you make animation effects smooth and precise. When exporting, you can also make it transparent.
Besides, various title templates and transitions are also available for you. Download it now to have a try! Or learn more from Wondershare Video Community .
Key features
- Create various shapes that you like
- Add keyframing to make it move
- Fine-tuning to make it smooth
- Add visual effects/text/color before export it
You can even create photo cut animation which has been very trendy on Tiktok and Instagram. Here is a video to present you how you can do it in Filmora.
Part 1 Best Free Animation Software for Mac
Listed below is free animation software on Mac. Take a look.
01 Synfig Studio - Mac Software to Animate Video
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: You can create many layers once a time and sync audio for your animation.
Con: This one needs much time to learn, especially for beginners.
An open-source 2D animation software that works on Macs, Synfig Studio delivers multiple players while you are creating content. Whether you want to add geometric, filters, distortions, or transformations, it is all possible! And thanks to the high-end bone system, you can create cut-out videos using bitmap images!
The thoughtful part is there are two download versions on the homepage: the stable version and the development version. If you want to enjoy a stable and smooth animation editing experience, choose the stable one. However, the development package gives you access to the use of the latest features.
For a novice, you can learn Synfig from step by step guide in Wikipedia and video tutorials. Four languages are available including English, Russian, Dutch, and French for a video course.
You can free download its latest version 1.3.11. The upcoming version is 1.4.
Features:
- It offers support for many layers within the animation.
- The program’s bone system means that you can easily create animations with bitmap images or vector artwork.
- It allows you to sync your creative work with any sound that you want. Has a full-featured audio editor.
02 Pencil2D Animation - Animation Program for 2D Pencil Lover
Difficulty Level: Easiest
Pro: Easy to start and make animation as the interface is user-friendly for many people.
Con: You need to set your preference every time to open it up, so it takes up some time
Pencil2D Animation is one of the simplest 2D hand-drawn tools available. It will work flawlessly on Mac computers. It is ideal for beginners, as the commands and interface are very easy to understand.
Whether you want to create a simple one, or you want something with many layers for videos on YouTube, you can use Pencil2D animation to get it done. Its timeline is easy to use at first glance. You can add and duplicate different frames on a different track.
The frequency of releasing the new version is very fast as Pencil2D is committed to bringing the lasted features to each user. The newest version is v0.6.4 (as of August 2019). Its user guide is informative with video tutorials, FAQs, and manual material.
Features:
- Lightweight and minimalistic design that makes it very easy for beginners.
- Features raster and vector workflows, with easy switching between them. You can paint and sketch as you want!
- Will run on all platforms - Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Completely free and open source.
03 TupiTube - Free Animation Application for Mac Users
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It supports vector illustrations. Besides, various formats are available.
Con: If you want to make 3D animation, it will fail. You can only make 2D effects.
A free software application for YouTube, Tupi will allow you to create 2D animations to your heart’s content. The tool was started by animators who wanted to create something that others could use.
It is an open-source tool, which means that users can make tweaks to the program if they have some interesting ideas. The program works on both Windows and Mac. You need to use Tupi and Papagayo to make lip-sync animation with different mouth shapes.
It also offers a solution for schools with related features including academic license, technical support, and ads-free, so many schools choose to use this one to teach kids how to make an animation video.
Features:
- Support for vector illustrations. You can add rectangles, lines, polygons, and other shapes as you please. To fill areas, just use the paint bucket.
- You can import raster images using this program.
- You can export all your finished images into different file formats.
- Support for tweeting positions, scale, shear, and rotations.
04 Blender - Need Some Time to Learn This Animation Tool
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Really powerful software that you can make for professional users.
Con: It is not easy to make image animation as it focuses on 3D.
Blender is an open-source 3D animation creation suite without a watermark. If you find that 2D is a little bit limiting, we think that you will be very happy with what this free program offers. You can take your projects to a whole new level when you can use this program on your Mac.
You can use Blender to make a video game, modeling, and high-quality animation. However, it involves a steep learning curve. Luckily, there are many tutorials to guide you through the journey. You can also ask for help in the Blender community that millions of talented people like you are there.
Features:
- Creating renders is no problem with this program.
- Modeling, such as sculpting, retopology, and creating curves is not an issue either.
- VFX and animation features are better than any option on the market.
- It offers powerful simulation tools.
- Integration with pipeline tools is easy.
05 K-3D - Best for Animation and Modeling in 3D
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: Ideal for designing simple 3D animations and models.
Con: It has an old-fashioned interface. Also, the built-render (RenderMan) feature is difficult to use by beginners.
K-3D is an animation and 3D modeling software. You can download this tool for free on your Mac. Besides, you can also install and run it on your Windows and Linux systems. If you look at the design, you will find that the software is quite old. But don’t judge a book by its cover. Why so? It is because K-3D is one of the strongest and most versatile tools for 3D artists with many options.
For example, K-3D offers extremely systematic and methodological workflows. You can easily adjust the properties of the features in real-time and get instant results. It has a node-oriented visualization pipeline to enjoy more freedom. That means you can create animation using a variety of combinations.
One of the best things about K-3D is that it has three subdivisions of animation. You can work on your model on one side while showing the other side in a mirrored form. Then, experience the final result combined together. And in case you need to make the changes to the end results, you can simply work on the first subdivision and savor automatic changes to the results.
K-3D has an advanced redo and undo mechanism to ensure you can go back or move forward to make corrections or amendments without limits. Additionally, the tool is developed keeping in mind all the industrial standards. For instance, it has complete support and integration of native RenderMan™ to its user interface. This is an excellent feature because most free animation software for Mac requires third-party render plugins.
Features:
- Parametric workflow.
- 2D and 3D animation tools.
- Allows Python and K3DScript scripting.
06 Krita - For Professional 2D Animators
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Advanced tools with numerous animation options and online training material.
Con: Not suitable for beginners.
If you love 2D animation, then you’ll surely love Krita. It is entirely free software available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Also, it offers a full platform for drawing and frame-by-frame animation.
The number one reason for adoring Krita is its brush library. There are more than 100 professional brushes to give you a wide range of effects. Moreover, the strokes are pretty amazing and similar to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
Another great thing about Krita is the brush stabilization feature designed for shaky hands. You can add a stabilizer to your chosen brush to smoothen its flow. Besides, there’s a special Dynamic Brush tool to make animation more fun. At the same time, you can also customize your brushes through different brush engines, including filter engines, color smudge engines, and many more.
Apart from the basic brush options, the preloaded vector tools are next to admire. These tools help you make great comic panels. All you need to do is choose and drag the word bubble template on your canvas. Then, make changes with the anchor point to make new shapes. At the same time, you can also add text to your animation by using the text tool.
Last but not least, there’s a wrap-around mode to create seamless patterns and textures. That means the image or drawing makes its own references along the x-axis and y-axis. This gives you the freedom to continue painting and enjoy updates to your animation instantly.
Features:
- HDR painting.
- PSD support.
- Python scripting.
- Selection and transformation tools.
- Proper group, filter, vector, and file layer management.
- Complete color management for extraordinary results.
- Drawing assistant to help you with straight lines and vanishing points.
Part 2 Best Free Animation Software for Windows
Below is free animation software on Windows. Keep reading.
01 Anireel - Easy to Use Animation Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Anireel is a simple yet powerful Video Creativity tool used to make 2D animated explainer videos. Developed by Wondershare, one of the most popular Windows software and tool developers, Anireel uses rich, ready-to-use, and diverse assets to help one effortlessly make animated videos.
Features:
- There are tons of drag and drop characters, actions, props, text, and audio assets.
- Easy Text-to-Speech conversion via deep studying technology.
- Animate integrated and imported assets.
- Tons of templates that match many script types.
02 DAZ Studio - Free Software for 3D Lovers
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: You can make game animation for fun. It also supports GPU accelerated real-time rendering.
Con: It has a high demand for the device, but owns a steep learning curve.
Daz 3d is a powerful and completely free 3D creation tool that will let you create the short videos that you want. Whether you are using this for business or pleasure, you will find the program is very easy to understand. Within a day, you will be completely used to its interface.
3D effects are the core focus of DAZ Studio. You can build a model, render, and pose animation within the skin texture level. It has a high requirement for the device. For Windows 64 bits, its recommended RAM is 3G.
Features:
- Options for 3D morphing, animation, and rendering.
- GPU accelerated real-time rendering, which delivers the best results.
- Interactive tutorials to help you become a better 3D artist.
- Everything you make is yours, royalty-free!
03 Terragen - Use It to Make CG Animation
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: The recently updated version is the best one. Ray-traced preview is a great function to help us make animation.
Con: The interface looks complicated, but it gets easy to know after you are familiar with it.
A completely free program that you can download and install on all Windows computers and tablets, Terragen is the ideal program for you to create the 3D animations and environments that you want. If you want a photo-realistic CG environment, using Terragen is the best way to do it!
Releasing imagination instantly, Terragen Creative is the one tool you’d like to consider. You can use it to make beautiful scenery.
For advanced tools, you can choose FBX to make animation quickly. The featured image gallery on its homepage will give you a deep understanding of the final outcome you can achieve with Terragen.
Features:
- Ray-traced preview. Without watermark after exporting
- Photo-realistic clouds and ozone simulation
- Rendering is twice as fast as the previous version of the program.
- Adding terrain, objects, and shader to your final product is very easy with the intuitive interface.
04 Anim8or - Free Tool to Make 3D Modeling
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Pro: Anim8or supports 3D modeler and TrueType fonts to meet advanced needs.
Con: Beginners will find it difficult to learn.
Anim8or is a free 3D modeling program that will let you create the unique work that you want. It is a personal project from an animator, but the program does get regular updates and troubleshooting.
It is not going to give you the same features as something like Studio Max or Maya, but you will get the basics. Beginners who are getting into animations will love this program.
Anim8or is a great tool to step into 3D animation ff you think other software is too different to start. In some way, it means you need to give up some advanced features. But all in all, it’s still recommended for you.
Features:
- A full 3D modeler that allows you to create spheres, cylinders, platonic solids, and any other objects that you want.
- Features support for TrueType fonts.
- Easy to create 3D scenes and output them as video files or images.
05 Seamless3d - Open-source Free Software
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is an open-source 3D modeling package. The good thing is the handy infinite Undo/Redo operation.
Con: Some advanced features are missing like drawing.
Seamless3d, an open-source 3D modeling software that you can download, is among the best animation worktables if you want to create specialized images, animated videos, or 3D characters.
It supports FFmpeg video format, so you can use AVI, MP4, and more. Besides, the forum is not active compared with before, but you still can find answers from many tutorials .
Features:
- It comes with infinite undo and redo options for complete flexibility to correct mistakes.
- It allows for partitioned and seamless texture mapping for YouTube videos.
- Has a specialized tree view interface.
06 OpenToonz - Support Plug in to Make Animation Freely
Difficulty Level: Middle
Pro: It is open-source software, so you can change the code freely.
Con: The plug-in effects are limited.
This animation program is made for beginners on Windows. It is among the best 2D animation software in the market. You can use plug-in effects to change image style, add lights, and distort details. It supports Windows 7/8/10 only for 64 bit.
Features:
- You can add provisional colors to make your animation more colorful.
- Smooth correction without frame losing.
- Compatible with black-and-white, colored, or without binarization scanning.
7 Stykz - Simple to Use Animation Program for Beginners
Difficulty Level: Easy
Pro: It is the best stick figure animation if you want to make this kind of video.
Con: The UI is not modern to use and needs time to adapt to using it.
Stykz is completely free to use and without a watermark. If you have used Pivot StickFigure Animator, then you will find Stykz is similar to it, but you can import the previous .stk files to animate it again. You can use it to make animation smooth frame by frame.
With its frame-based feature, Stykz is easy to customize each frame. You can change previous and current frames to get what you want. You can download it to have a try considering its easy-to-use features.
Features:
- There is some animes file on this website, so you can have a reference.
- Edit animation in the software without using another editing window.
- You can share the final work with others including information.
Part 3 FAQ about Animation Software for Windows and Mac
01 Are Macs good for animation?
To be frank, Mac is a better choice to make animation if you want to have a smooth animation experience. For example, screen resolution is a crucial factor to make excellent animation. The good is Mac’s screen will never let you disappointed.
02 What is the best animation software for Mac?
The best animation software on mac includes Synfig Studio, Pencil2D Animation, Tupi, Blender, and more. Mentioned are free-to-use. Maya is also worth considering animation software if you are a professional user. Maya offers a 1-month free trial. After it is ended, the paid plans are month, 1-year, and 3-year.
03 Can you animate in Photoshop?
Yes, you can make basic animation in Photoshop. However, it only supports frame-based animation making. In this case, you need to use other professional software to make animation. But, you still can use Photoshop to meet your needs if you are a beginner.
Conclusion
With any of these free animation maker programs on Mac and Windows, you will have an easy time creating your next 2D or 3D video. Ensure you choose the program that has the features and compatibility that you desire. Then it is up to your creative mind to come up with stunning animations! If you want to make animation easily, you can also find inspiration through classical animated cartoon types with examples .
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Streamline Your Workflow: Best Light Video Editors
If you are new to video editing and you simply want to do basic editing to your video, you need a light video editor. There is no need for a heavyweight video editor that is generally used by professionals. Besides, an industry-grade video editor demands high-end computer as they put pressure on your system resources for video processing and rendering.
Therefore, if you do not have a high-end computer for video editing, a lightweight video editor is perfect for you. There are so many lightweight video editing software applications available to choose from for video editing. We have picked the best light video editing software for smooth and satisfying video editing work.
Part 1. The Features for Light Video Editor
Here are the main features of a good lightweight video editor that you should be aware of.
Small File Size – A light video editor comes in a small size file, and you will understand the file size when you download it on your computer. Ideally, a light video editor should not be above a couple of hundred MBs in size.
Wide OS Compatibility – A good light video editor should not only be compatible with the latest version of computer operating system but also with older versions. This is because older operating systems fail to run a heavyweight video editor smoothly.
Low System Requirements – Every video editor lists out their system requirements starting from processor version to RAM capacity and free disk space. A light video editor should have low system requirements such as 4GB RAM, 5GB free disk space, Intel i3 or likewise.
Low CPU Usage – How much CPU resource a video editor uses determines whether the video editor is truly lightweight. You can monitor how much CPU resource an application is using from Task Manager. For a light video editor, it should never be more than 33% of the total CPU usage at any given time.
Faster Processing – A lightweight video editor is generally faster in processing and rendering videos. They use different techniques such as compression, background processing and proxy workflow to boost processing speed without affecting system performance.
Part 2. Best Light Video Editors
Here is the list of the best light video editing software with complete review so that you can pick the best one for your video editing purposes.
1. Filmora
Best for: beginners as well as advanced users.
System compatibility: Windows and Mac.
Reason to choose:
- Drag and drop media files from your hard drive.
- Robust timeline to arrange photos, videos, and audio files.
- Wide categories of transitions, effects and graphical elements.
- Take screenshot from videos and instant preview of the changes.
- Export in different file formats with adjusted video parameters.
Reason to avoid:
- Video processing slightly on the slower side.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.
Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.
2. Studio
Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.
System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)
Reason to choose:
- Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
- Advanced video masking and color grading options.
- Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
- Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
- Advanced audio editing options.
Reason to avoid:
- Some advanced features are not full-fledged.
Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.
You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.
3. OpenShot
Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Drag and drop media files of different formats.
- Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
- 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
- Dedicated audio editor and video templates.
Reason to avoid:
- Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.
OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.
The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.
4. ShotCut
Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
- Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
- Video masking, composting and color correction.
- Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
- Wide range of video editing options and tools.
Reason to avoid:
- User interface takes time to understand all features.
- Limited transitions and no stock media files.
Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.
Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.
5. Adobe Premiere Pro
Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.
System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.
Reason to choose:
- Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
- Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
- Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
- Support for various video and audio formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
- Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.
Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.
You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.
6. VideoPad Video Editor
Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.
System compatibility: Windows and Mac.
Reason to choose:
- Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
- Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
- Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
- Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
- Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.
Reason to avoid:
- Limited range of transitions and effects.
- Limited options for 3D video editing.
VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.
Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor
Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.
System compatibility: Windows XP or above.
Reason to choose:
- Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
- Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
- Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
- Color correction and very low system requirements.
- Supports importing and exporting different file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Advanced features are locked for premium users.
VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.
You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.
8. Avidemux
Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Standard video options available.
- Advanced video filters and effects.
- Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
- Super intuitive user interface.
- Supports multiple file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Not suitable for high-resolution videos.
Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.
Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.
Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor
1. What is Light Video Editor?
Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.
2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.
3. What is the best free light video editor?
Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.
4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?
While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.
5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?
One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.
Reason to avoid:
- Video processing slightly on the slower side.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.
Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.
2. Studio
Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.
System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)
Reason to choose:
- Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
- Advanced video masking and color grading options.
- Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
- Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
- Advanced audio editing options.
Reason to avoid:
- Some advanced features are not full-fledged.
Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.
You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.
3. OpenShot
Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Drag and drop media files of different formats.
- Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
- 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
- Dedicated audio editor and video templates.
Reason to avoid:
- Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.
OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.
The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.
4. ShotCut
Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
- Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
- Video masking, composting and color correction.
- Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
- Wide range of video editing options and tools.
Reason to avoid:
- User interface takes time to understand all features.
- Limited transitions and no stock media files.
Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.
Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.
5. Adobe Premiere Pro
Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.
System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.
Reason to choose:
- Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
- Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
- Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
- Support for various video and audio formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
- Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.
Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.
You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.
6. VideoPad Video Editor
Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.
System compatibility: Windows and Mac.
Reason to choose:
- Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
- Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
- Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
- Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
- Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.
Reason to avoid:
- Limited range of transitions and effects.
- Limited options for 3D video editing.
VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.
Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor
Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.
System compatibility: Windows XP or above.
Reason to choose:
- Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
- Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
- Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
- Color correction and very low system requirements.
- Supports importing and exporting different file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Advanced features are locked for premium users.
VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.
You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.
8. Avidemux
Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Standard video options available.
- Advanced video filters and effects.
- Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
- Super intuitive user interface.
- Supports multiple file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Not suitable for high-resolution videos.
Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.
Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.
Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor
1. What is Light Video Editor?
Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.
2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.
3. What is the best free light video editor?
Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.
4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?
While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.
5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?
One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.
Reason to avoid:
- Video processing slightly on the slower side.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.
Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.
2. Studio
Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.
System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)
Reason to choose:
- Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
- Advanced video masking and color grading options.
- Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
- Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
- Advanced audio editing options.
Reason to avoid:
- Some advanced features are not full-fledged.
Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.
You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.
3. OpenShot
Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Drag and drop media files of different formats.
- Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
- 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
- Dedicated audio editor and video templates.
Reason to avoid:
- Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.
OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.
The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.
4. ShotCut
Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
- Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
- Video masking, composting and color correction.
- Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
- Wide range of video editing options and tools.
Reason to avoid:
- User interface takes time to understand all features.
- Limited transitions and no stock media files.
Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.
Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.
5. Adobe Premiere Pro
Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.
System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.
Reason to choose:
- Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
- Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
- Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
- Support for various video and audio formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
- Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.
Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.
You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.
6. VideoPad Video Editor
Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.
System compatibility: Windows and Mac.
Reason to choose:
- Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
- Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
- Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
- Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
- Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.
Reason to avoid:
- Limited range of transitions and effects.
- Limited options for 3D video editing.
VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.
Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor
Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.
System compatibility: Windows XP or above.
Reason to choose:
- Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
- Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
- Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
- Color correction and very low system requirements.
- Supports importing and exporting different file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Advanced features are locked for premium users.
VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.
You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.
8. Avidemux
Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Standard video options available.
- Advanced video filters and effects.
- Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
- Super intuitive user interface.
- Supports multiple file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Not suitable for high-resolution videos.
Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.
Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.
Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor
1. What is Light Video Editor?
Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.
2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.
3. What is the best free light video editor?
Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.
4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?
While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.
5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?
One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.
Reason to avoid:
- Video processing slightly on the slower side.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.
Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.
2. Studio
Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.
System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)
Reason to choose:
- Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
- Advanced video masking and color grading options.
- Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
- Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
- Advanced audio editing options.
Reason to avoid:
- Some advanced features are not full-fledged.
Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.
You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.
3. OpenShot
Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Drag and drop media files of different formats.
- Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
- 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
- Dedicated audio editor and video templates.
Reason to avoid:
- Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.
OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.
The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.
4. ShotCut
Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
- Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
- Video masking, composting and color correction.
- Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
- Wide range of video editing options and tools.
Reason to avoid:
- User interface takes time to understand all features.
- Limited transitions and no stock media files.
Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.
Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.
5. Adobe Premiere Pro
Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.
System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.
Reason to choose:
- Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
- Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
- Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
- Support for various video and audio formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
- Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.
Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.
You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.
6. VideoPad Video Editor
Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.
System compatibility: Windows and Mac.
Reason to choose:
- Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
- Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
- Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
- Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
- Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.
Reason to avoid:
- Limited range of transitions and effects.
- Limited options for 3D video editing.
VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.
Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.
7. VSDC Free Video Editor
Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.
System compatibility: Windows XP or above.
Reason to choose:
- Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
- Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
- Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
- Color correction and very low system requirements.
- Supports importing and exporting different file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Advanced features are locked for premium users.
VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.
You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.
8. Avidemux
Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.
System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Reason to choose:
- Standard video options available.
- Advanced video filters and effects.
- Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
- Super intuitive user interface.
- Supports multiple file formats.
Reason to avoid:
- Not suitable for high-resolution videos.
Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.
Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.
Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor
1. What is Light Video Editor?
Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.
2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?
Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.
3. What is the best free light video editor?
Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.
4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?
While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.
5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?
One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.
Also read:
- Updated 2024 Approved Effortless Conversion Explore the Best 12 Audio Converters
- Updated The Ultimate Guide to Calculating Aspect Ratios for Photos
- Updated Say Goodbye to Easy Video Joiner 10 Better Video Merging Software for 2024
- In 2024, Unleash Your Creativity Top PowerDirector Alternatives for Android and iOS
- Updated 2024 Approved Free Windows Movie Maker Download Your One-Stop Installation Resource
- In 2024, Online Facebook Video to MP3 Conversion Made Easy
- New Mac Movie Magic How to Bring Your Vision to Life
- Updated Make an Impact Top Vertical Video Editing Apps for Mobile Devices
- Updated In 2024, Remove Watermarks 7 Free Video Trimmers to Try
- Updated From Zero to Hero Top Free Video Editing Software for 2024
- New In 2024, What Apps Can You Use to Blur the Face or the Background on the Video? In This Article, I Will Share some of the Best Video Blur Apps that You Can Use to Blur Any Part of the Video on iPhone or Android Phones
- Updated Create Engaging Videos 10 Top Free Whiteboard Animation Softwar for 2024
- New Create Stunning Lyric Videos with These Online Tools Free & Paid for 2024
- Updated 2024 Approved Getting Started with Mac Video Editing Tips for Choosing the Best Software
- Updated 2024 Approved Androids Finest 10 Free Video Editing Apps Without Watermarks
- Updated Video Editing on a Shoestring Best Low-Cost Options
- Updated PowerDirector Color Correction A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your Footage for 2024
- Updated 2024 Approved 8 Free Video Trimmer to Trim Videos without Watermark
- Updated 2024 Approved Unleash Your Creativity Top Online Lyric Video Making Platforms
- New Learn to Crop Images in FCPX A Beginners Guide for 2024
- New Unboxing Splice A Detailed Examination of the Video Editing App for 2024
- New In 2024, S Top-Rated Video Makers with Audio Features
- 2024 Approved The Best of the Best 12 Audio Converters Compared
- New 2024 Approved Mastering Video Editing with Windows Movie Maker A Step-by-Step Guide
- New 2024 Approved Add Depth and Dimension A Guide to Creating 3D Videos on Windows
- Updated Discover the Best Free Video Editors for 4K Footage for 2024
- Updated 2024 Approved The Ultimate Guide to Video Dubbing Top Apps
- Updated 2024 Approved Transform Your Videos Top Mobile Editing Apps for iPhone and Android Users
- Updated Online Video Reverse Software Top Picks for 2024
- New 2024 Approved Animation in Education Top Picks for Teachers and Educators
- Updated In 2024, Optimizing Your Screen for Amazon Prime Video
- My Videos Arent Playing on ZTE Axon 40 Lite – What Can I Do? | Dr.fone
- How To Restore Missing Pictures Files from Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G.
- In 2024, How to Send and Fake Live Location on Facebook Messenger Of your Samsung Galaxy S24 | Dr.fone
- Downloading SamFw FRP Tool 3.0 for Vivo G2
- In 2024, Pokemon Go Error 12 Failed to Detect Location On Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5? | Dr.fone
- Updated All You Need to Know About Transparent Logos and How You Can Make Them. Top Transparent Logos You Can Take Inspiration From
- In 2024, How To Change Your Apple ID on iPhone 14 Plus With or Without Password
- How to Reset Apple ID and Apple Password From iPhone 6 Plus
- 4 Easy Ways for Your Honor 90 Lite Hard Reset | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Easiest Guide How to Clone Honor 80 Pro Straight Screen Edition Phone? | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How to Fake GPS on Android without Mock Location For your Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G | Dr.fone
- In 2024, 5 Solutions For Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Unlock Without Password
- How to Transfer Data from Gionee F3 Pro to Samsung Phone | Dr.fone
- In 2024, AddROM Bypass An Android Tool to Unlock FRP Lock Screen For your Vivo V29
- How to Spy on Text Messages from Computer & Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Dr.fone
- New How to Create a DIY Green Screen Video Effect for 2024
- Apple ID Locked or Disabled On Apple iPhone 15 Pro? 7 Mehtods You Cant-Miss
- Convert Video to GIF with Ease 28 Top Tools
- Complete Fixes To Solve Apple iPhone 13 mini Randomly Asking for Apple ID Password
- Updated FCPX Not Your Cup of Tea? Discover These 10 Alternatives for 2024
- Unlocking an iCloud Locked iPad and iPhone 13 Pro
- Easy steps to recover deleted pictures from Lava Yuva 3 Pro.
- In 2024, Xiaomi 14 Ultra ADB Format Tool for PC vs. Other Unlocking Tools Which One is the Best?
- How to Recover Deleted Photos, Videos & Music Files from iPhone 14 | Stellar
- Title: In 2024, Premiere Pro on Mac The Industry Standard for Video Editing Pros
- Author: Isabella
- Created at : 2024-05-19 13:03:09
- Updated at : 2024-05-20 13:03:09
- Link: https://video-creation-software.techidaily.com/in-2024-premiere-pro-on-mac-the-industry-standard-for-video-editing-pros/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.