2D and 3D animations are the most common styles for animation videos. Some love the simplicity of 2D animations, while others love the detailed visuals of 3D animations. Whichever you prefer, both are in high demand for entertainment and business matters.

If you want to escalate your skills in creating animation videos, this article can come in handy for you. Below we’ve listed the best 2D and 3D animation software professionals use. Also, beginners are always welcome to learn the options.

2D vs 3D Animations

While many are still debating which one is the best, 2D and 3D animations have their own winning features. They both have distinguishable characteristics from each other.

2D animations have a long history as they come first to the world. The characters and objects are two-dimensional, which only have length and height.

Meanwhile, as technology advances, the trend evolved into 3D animations. They have more realistic features with length, breadth, and height. Moreover, the movements are more detailed and human-like.

2D and 3D Animations Software

As you’ve read the difference between 2D and 3D animations, let’s find out some software used by professionals for creating quality animation videos. 

1. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is one of the leading software professionals to create 2D shapes. You can make cartoons, charts, logos, illustrations, graphs, diagrams, and many more. In addition, it allows you to import photographs. 

There are various features you can try on Adobe Illustrator. Some main ones include text, typography, painting, drawing, and modification tools. You can also find masking tools, alpha compositing, image wrapping tools, and more.

2. Adobe After Effects

Many professionals also use Adobe After Effects to create animation videos. You can use it to make cinematic titles and intros. It also allows you to add transitions, animate a logo or characters, remove an object from a clip, and more.

Some of the features you can try to include text animation, VFX/Visual Effects, motion graphics, rotoscoping, motion tracking, and so on. The interface consists of four parts: the project, timeline, effect, and composition panel.

3. Blender

Blender is one of the most recommended 3D animation software for all-level creators. It’s a free and open-source tool from Blender Foundation. The main uses of Blender include modeling, rendering, rigging, and motion tracking.

Blender even has features to optimize video creation. Best of all, it provides an accurate real-time preview of your final product before rendering. So you can modify and develop your designs easier.

4. Cinema 4D

If you want to try professional-level 3D animation software, Cinema 4D should be on your list. It’s famous for having fast, stable, flexible, and powerful tools to create 3D animation videos. 

Cinema 4D efficiently creates designs, motion graphics, VFX, and AR/VR/MR. It’s famous for creating stunning videos, renders, animations, and motion graphics. Some game designers also use Cinema 4D to create quality visuals.

5. Maya

Maya is well-known among filmmakers, artists, and 3D professionals. It supports rendering, drawing, simulating effects, animation, controls, topology, and so forth. You can create animated movies and interactive 3D applications such as video games.

Maya has some key features, which include polygon modeling, time editor, graph editor, Bifrost, and fast playback. However, sculpting and texturing must be done in third-party applications.

Conclusion

The above options are some of the best 2D and 3D animation software professionals use. However, beginners can also try some of them to hone their skills to build professional skills. The 2D and 3D software listed above may have a steeper learning curve. But you always have the chance to master the software with consistent learning and trials.