Choosing software for animation - Opentoonz

 To choose the software to produce my animation teaser, I researched some sites to understand the evaluation that was made on different software.

I had already tried programs like Biteable or Powtoon, but these programs do not have many features in the free version, being very limited. My search was for something more professional.

On the Gamedesigning website, the software was evaluated according to three criteria: ease of use, price, and quality.

1. Synfig - is free software and It allows for both front end and back end design, very simple to use for beginners.

2. TupiTube is easy to access and versatile because it can be used on different platforms. It is a program that was made for children's animation.

3. Pencil2D - is also free, has a simple design, and is easy to use. In this software, it is possible to draw.

4. Opentoonz allows you to use a set of interesting internal effects for animations. It is more difficult in some aspects, but it allows for more professional animation. It is also free.

5. Adobe Flash - Many animators have made programs on this software. But, according to Gamedesigning's assessment, they recommend other software to get started. This one was a little gem I dug up, and I'm glad I did. Krita is a free program created by a team of passionate artists that wants everyone to be able to have access to advanced art tools.

6. Krita - allows you to build drawings and animation scenarios. It was considered the best painting software of 2019 by TechRadar.

Gamedesigning also recommends software such as Powtoon, Animaker, and Plastic animation. But this software had already been put aside because I was looking for one that would allow me to work with the graphics tablet.

I then watched the tutorials for this software to be able to choose. One that was recommended was Krita, but I still wanted to see other options.

The tutorials I watched were as follows:

1. Synfig - Synfig Tutorial 1: Getting Started - YouTube

2. TupiTube - (15) TupiTube Desk: How to animate a sunset - YouTube

3. Pencil2D - (15) full tutorial on pencil 2D ( + problem solving in comments sexion) - YouTube

4. Opentoonz - (15) Learn to Animate in Opentoonz 1.3 [FULL GUIDE WITH TIMESTAMPS] - YouTube

5. Adobe Flash - TUTORIAL: Basic Flash for Beginners (Adobe Animate/Flash) - YouTube

6. Krita - (15) How To Animate in Krita for Beginners - FREE ANIMATION SOFTWARE! - YouTube

After watching the tutorials, I liked how Opentoonz and Krita worked. I installed them on the computer and did some experiments, eventually deciding to use Opentoonz. I liked the features, it is compatible with the graphics tablet, it allows working with scanned images and working them directly in the software. We were also able to control the character, adapt the sound to the character's lines, work on the lighting, among other aspects.

References:

Game Designing (s.d.) Beginners guide to 2D animation software [online] available from: The 20 Best 2D Animation Software Options (Free & Paid) (gamedesigning.org) (accessed 29th November 2020)

Image from OpenToonz