Game Animation Software, Its Differences and Nuances
Sep 30, 2022 
10 min
Nowadays, there is a great variety of animation software for games, and it can be difficult to catch the nuances. Such programs offer different tools and technologies. It is worth knowing what software is better for you. Let's get into it and discuss technical animation software.
How Many 2D Gaming Animation Software Are There?
There are a lot of software on the Internet. Your choice depends on requirements and personal preferences. We will discuss the software that we use. It is good for both professionals and beginners. All the pros and cons will be listed below.
Spine
Spine platform is popular among 2D artists. It was developed to create 2D game animation. A straightforward interface will help you find all the tools easily. Spine has a mix animation feature, so the player can do several actions at a time.
Pros
- Mixing animation and bone rotation are supported.
- Straightforward interface.
- Supports 14 engines, such as Unity, JavaScript, C++, and others.
- Supports meshes and free-form deformations.
- Supports inverse kinematics.
- The main advantage of the spine is the small weight of the working file
Cons
- Expensive. Spine's default version costs $69 with a discount. Spine Professional costs $329 with a discount. It is a one-time purchase.
Spine can be considered the best 2d animation software for games, and it will give you all the required functionality. But if you want more software, we have prepared it for you.
Adobe Animate
The second 2D software is called Adobe Animate. It will help you to create 2D animation effects and add various sounds to your project. Vector brush creation is also supported by this software. Adobe Animate offers free-trial version for testing.
Pros
- Easy to export animation.
- You can integrate sounds into your project.
- Supports vector brush.
- Supports both motion tweens and classic tweens.
- Support Creative Cloud. You can export your project to other Adobe apps and perform editing.
Cons
- Expensive. $31.49 per month or annual $239.88 prepaid. Annual subscription, paid monthly, is $20.99.
Best Video Game Animation Software for 3D Animators
3D animation requires you to set specific position changes to the object. 2D animation requires you to draw in a “frame-to-frame” style. These workspaces are accessible in modern game animation software.
Blender
Blender software offers 3D animation. This animation software for games will help you with motion tracking and textures. Blender supports both 3D and 2D animation workspaces. The application is free to download.
Pros
- Built-in compositor. You can post-produce renders without exiting the app.2.
- Supports EV and cycle rendering. External renderers can be used too.
- Built-in video editor.
- You can use scripts for object generation.
- Constant updates, new tools.
- Free to download
Cons
- The interface often changes after updates. The icons and buttons can be regrouped.
3ds Max
The second 3D app is 3ds Max. It offers you a great number of built-in editors. They will help you to edit colors and work with the object scale animation and its positioning. 3ds Max offers a 30-day free trial option, so you can test it.
Pros
- Good UV editor.
- Less demanding on system requirements.
- Easy to make scenes with many polycounts.
- Available editing without recompiling the scene.
- Good choice for professionals.
Cons
- Not free. $225 per month, $1785 annually, $5085 paid every 3 years.
What Kind of Animation Workspaces Do Companies Use?
Any famous animation company wishes to provide its clients with the best experience. Studios often offer projects made in 3D and 2D workspaces. They also combine software and built-in plugins. It helps to create a rendered and detailed animation and lighting effects.
It Is Important to Effectively Use Gaming Animation Software
The reputation of companies depends on the artist's efficiency. 2D and 3D services require high skill with tools and built-in plugins. Experienced artists can make successful projects.