Synfig is a 2D animation application designed for creating animations using vector and bitmap artwork. Rather than requiring artists to draw every frame individually, it automatically calculates intermediate frames between key positions.
The application combines a layer-based drawing environment with a timeline for controlling how objects change over time. Its animation system is suitable for character animation, motion graphics and other projects involving moving illustrations.
Synfig uses a resolution-independent approach for vector artwork, allowing animations to be rendered at different output sizes without losing the sharpness of vector elements.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Vector tweening automatically generates intermediate frames between key positions.
- Bone-based animation system for constructing and controlling character rigs.
- Skeleton Distortion layer for deforming bitmap images during animation.
- Combine vector shapes, imported bitmap artwork and animated transformations.
- More than 50 layer types covering geometry, gradients, filters, distortions and other effects.
- Keyframe-based animation with configurable interpolation between animated values.
- Animate object position, rotation, scale, opacity and other layer parameters.
- Link parameters between layers, including mathematical expressions for complex animation controls.
- Draw shapes, curves and outlines using vector drawing tools.
- Pressure-sensitive drawing tools for compatible graphics tablets.
- Path-based gradients and advanced shading effects for vector illustrations.
- High dynamic-range image processing for lighting and colour composition.
- Organise complex animations through nested groups and reusable canvas structures.
- Import raster images, vector artwork and image sequences.
- Synchronise animation previews with imported audio tracks.
- Render animations to image sequences and supported animated image or video formats.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: www.synfig.org
Support:
Developer: Robert Quattlebaum, Adrian Bentley and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Synfig is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Animation Tools | |
|---|---|
| Synfig | Capable of producing feature-film quality animation |
| Blender | 3D creation suite with a huge variety of uses including animation |
| LibreSprite | Create 2D animations for videogames |
| Pencil2D | Easy, intuitive tool to make 2D hand-drawn animations |
| Tahoma2D | Full-featured 2D and Stop Motion animation creation based on Toonz Studio |
| Drawpile | Draw, paint and animate together with others on the same canvas |
| Glaxnimate | Simple and fast vector graphics animation program |
| OpenToonz | Based on Toonz Studio Ghibli Version |
| Friction | Motion graphics software for vector and raster animations |
| Inochi Creator | Tool to create and edit Inochi2D puppets |
| EagleAnimation | Stop-motion animation application |
| K-3D | 3D modeling and animation software |
| enve | Create vector animations, raster animations, with sound and video files |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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