Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by Jhonni Jets
Best Animation Software for Chromebook Updated 2023
So, Animations apps, many people have a misconception that Chromebook doesn’t have too many options we, it comes to creating apps. But that’s not the truth, you just need to be in the right place.
The reason for this misconception is the difference between the regular laptop and Chromebook is that the latter is based on the Linux operating system.
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The device has a lot of options and variety that is used to perform different tasks with the help of the Google Chrome browser in the machine.
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With it, you are getting an amazing option of keeping the data secured in the cloud which saves up a lot of space. There is a wide number of files that are saved in clouds, not in the device memory.
Computer animation since its inception has been in focus and getting interesting day by day. Since that day it has kept enhancing to date. Fast-forwarding to 2023, we are surrounded by animations, we see a ton of animations.
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All thanks to the best animations who made it possible. Artists and animators who are in this field often search for the Best animation software for laptops.
This software helps in creating both 2D and 3D animations. There is a wide number of applications that are available to download. Depending on what you are going to do like hand-drawn, 2D, 3D, Slow motion, and a lot more, there is a wide number of options to get started with.
A well-built application software provides you with the flexibility and controls that are easy to understand for a video creator and also easy to understand by a beginner. Moreover, this software comes with a superior tool for an experienced user.
Therefore, today we are here to introduce you to the best animation software for Chromebooks and other laptops too. you can compare between them and pick the one that is right for you.
Best animation software for Chromebook
Browse through this list of quality list of animation software and then select the one that meets your requirements. This article on Best Animation Software for Chromebook will help you and benefit in your animation career and will hone your skills, practice animation styles, and result in something amazing.
So, let’s get started without any further ado:
1. Blender
Blender is a powerful open-source 3D modeling and animation program. The software was originally designed for desktop operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux. But with Linux app support on Chromebooks, you can now download and run Blender directly.
Blender provides a complete toolset for 3D projects. You can model objects and characters, rig and animate them, apply materials and textures, and render out your final animation. There’s a learning curve to mastering Blender, but it’s one of the most fully-featured programs available for Chromebooks. The latest releases run smoothly for basic animation.
2. Opentoonz
Opentoonz is another open-source and free animation software option, originally developed by Studio Ghibli. The tools are aimed at producing 2D animation with hand-drawn style visuals.
Like Blender, Opentoonz can be installed via Linux on supported Chromebooks. The interface resembles traditional cel animation workflows using virtual layers and cameras. You get animation curve editing, image editing tools, palette control, and scene compositing features.
Opentoonz exports animations in standard video formats. Its open-source nature means community-created plugins help expand the features further. Overall, it provides a solid 2D animation toolkit for Chromebook users.
3. Pencil 2D
Pencil 2D is a lighter-weight 2D animation program optimized for Linux. It provides the core tools needed for hand-drawn style animation with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.
The easy learning curve makes Pencil 2D a good entry-level animation option. You can create bitmap and vector layers, use onion skinning, add basic shapes and color fills, apply effects, and export your animations. There are built-in tools for playback and editing animations as well.
Pencil 2D works well for rotoscoping and simple 2D projects. The active development helps expand features further. And the lightweight interface runs efficiently on most modern Chromebooks.
4. CelAction 2D
CelAction 2D is a commercial 2D animation program with Linux support, making it accessible on Chrome OS. The tools are optimized for frame-by-frame cel-style animation workflows.
You get extensive brushes for frame painting, onion skinning, texture mapping support, audio synchronization, and rigid/deformable bone rigging for cutout animation. CelAction 2D also provides node-based compositing for layering scenes and effects.
The animation timeline includes editing tools like splitting, copying, and replacing frames and segments. CelAction 2D is a full-featured animation solution developed specifically with Linux platforms in mind. The capabilities rival premium 2D software, making this a leading choice for professional-grade Chromebook animation.
5. Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio offers an open-source 2D animation solution with Chromebook support. The vector-based drawing tools allow you to create smooth, resolution-independent animations.
Key features include bitmap image support, shape and gradient fills, path editing, gradient-controlled bones, and parametric object linking. Synfig Studio also provides onion skinning, shape tweening, and tools for animation curves and timing.
The layer-based workflow promotes organized scene compositions, with groups, transformations, compositing, and effects. Antialiasing ensures clean lines, with export options to render animations at 4K and higher resolutions. Overall, Synfig Studio provides solid vector animation tools for Chromebooks.
6. Anima
Anima is a cloud-based animation software designed specifically for Chromebooks and other web platforms. It provides an easy-to-use WYSIWYG interface optimized for 2D cutout animation workflows.
You can rig characters with bones and deformers, integrate audio, animate frame-by-frame or using tweening. Compositing, onion skinning, adjustable pivot points, and copy/paste animation help build scenes efficiently. Anima also allows real-time collaboration for instant creative feedback.
The tool exports animations as video files or directly to YouTube. With focused support for Chrome OS, Anima makes web-based 2D animation accessible even for beginners. The collaborative features provide a unique benefit for Chromebook users as well.
7. Renderforest
For easy explainer animation creation, check out Renderforest. This web-based graphics platform provides templates and tools specifically for building professional-looking animated videos.
The library includes hundreds of ready-made templates in different styles. You can customize templates by modifying graphics, colors, text, and uploading your own video clips or logo. Adding animations only takes a few clicks.
Renderforest integrates directly with YouTube, so you can publish your video straight to your channel. They also provide options to download your animation for use elsewhere. For quick and automated explainer or promotional video creation, Renderforest is a handy Chromebook-compatible choice.
8. CrazyTalk Animator
CrazyTalk Animator allows easy 2D character animation using photos and images. The web-based version means Chromebook users can access the animation pipeline in their browser.
You can upload images and headshots to auto-generate 2D characters, manually create characters, or choose from the available character library. Customize movements using facial puppeteering, motion libraries, and pose morphs.
Built-in face and body rigging makes simple character animation fast and intuitive. Video recording using your Chromebook’s webcam lets you animate via facial tracking. Render your scenes using multiple camera angles. CrazyTalk Animator provides unique animation options for Chromebooks focused on using existing images and photos as animation assets.
9. Stykz
Stykz is a web-based stick figure animation tool you can access on any Chromebook. It provides an easy entry point for learning basic animation principles.
The simple interface allows stick figure and bone animation. You get onion skinning, infinite layers, keyframe adjustment and tweening tools. Stykz also features a networked collaborative environment called Moonbase for real-time animating and sharing.
While Stykz capabilities are more limited compared to fuller animation software, its simplicity and web-based interface make it a great learning tool. The community features also give Chromebook users a way to engage with other animators and expand their skills.
10.Adobe Character Animator
Starting with the software of the biggest development companies in the trending list now and then. Adobe Character Animator stands on top of the list of Best animation software for laptops. The app offers simple animation that is simply amazing and stunning with its surprising features like gesture recognition, and facial recognition to animate the cartoon characters.
It’s a real-time animator that identifies your facial expression, captures your full-body motion, and hand movements, and offers various types of other inputs to animate the character.
The application is extremely smooth and fast so you can easily livestream the development process and can easily share your work with your team on the spot. All you need to do is plug in a microphone, turn the web camera on, and start animating.
It’s software that is used by professionals, even the Hollywood production and film houses use this animator app. It comes with a variety of options for animating. You can use the built-in puppets to begin when you get started with it. The animation options include breathing, walking, blinking, and behaviors. It’s a great animation software for both beginners and professionals.
The free trial version works for 7 days, you can buy the paid version and get access to more features. Or, if you want you can get access to all Adobe applications by buying the Creative Cloud subscription.
11.Toon Boom Harmony
Another best Animation software for Chromebook that is perfect for both beginners and professionals to use. This Toon boom harmony grants you, users, a flexible fluidity and the smoothness of traditional animation.
Since the application is designed for both beginners and professionals so the learning curve of this software is pretty easy and moderate. The animation industry has been using this software for more than 25 years.
Animator and GitHub Illustrator state that “Harmony makes it possible to level up our animation productivity without sacrificing quality…we’re big fans”. Here are some of the users that are popular in the animation industry Cartoon Network, Universal Studios, Ubisoft, and Lucas Film, Fox Studios.
The new features that come with the new updates include stabilizers for lines, stylus pressure responsiveness, and tilt and angle responsiveness.
The standard features list includes traditional paperless animations, pipeline integration, burst engines, 2D/3D integration, export to game engines, cut-out animations, deformers, and more. You can easily integrate this software with Adobe software and with extensions like PSB, PSD, PDF, and Bitmaps.
All in all, the Toon Boom Harmony is an excellent app to show and enhance your animation skills. With it, you can bring the latest trends in the digital drawing world. Every marking, every texture, and every style that will be created will be no less than a masterpiece. The pricing packages come in different plans, so you are getting a lot of options.
12.Moho Debut by Anime studios
The Moho debut is another best animation application that is suitable for beginners who just stepped into the field of Animation and for professionals. The app interface is easy to follow and lets you redefine creativity by allowing you to animate anything really fast.
Don’t mistake its simplicity, as the low ability to handle complex work, you just can’t doubt, the strength and robustness of this application.
The tools that are offered by this application are powerful and can be used to convert the strangest idea into an animated story. The software comes with multilanguage support.
Whether you own a MacOS or Windows OS you can install this app on either OS and make the most of advanced and sophisticated freehand tools.
The app also offers the features like phone ringing, animated effects for shapes and layers, pen pressure for tablets, brushes that can be used to animate and edit, the PSD extension, and a lot of keyframe options are available for you.
13.Digicel Flipbook
It’s a 2D animation software that comes with great features and a simple interface but don’t let its simplicity fool you. you can do a lot of things with its animation software.
This software is more for beginners and runs on both platforms MacOS and Windows. The method this application uses is the designing of one frame at a time.
The learning curve of this application is smooth, so you are diving into the right pool to learn the animation.
The popular feature of this app includes multiple framework desk, lip-sync support, zoom, rotate, pan zoom, blur options, super-smooth performance, import and export capabilities, and scanning options.
Moreover, the speed is also good, you can easily make changes while an animation is running and you will get to see the changes in the next running loop cycle.
The software allows you to easily scan your artwork from the paper onto the software with great precision and accuracy. As we said, earlier, the application is easy to use, some popular big name has complimented the software and recommended its use.
All in all, it’s great for beginners. For those who are willing to learn animations, Digicel Flipbook is an ideal choice.
Key Considerations for Animation Software on Chromebooks
When selecting animation software for your Chromebook, keep the following considerations in mind:
- Performance – Leaner apps like Stykz will perform better than intensive programs like Blender on lower-power Chromebooks. Optimize performance by closing other apps when animating.
- Linux Support – Most premium software requires Linux for Chrome OS. Enable this in settings for access to better tools. Entry-level Chromebooks may lack Linux support.
- Web vs. App – Web apps offer collaboration but can be slower. Desktop Linux apps give you more features yet may compromise battery life. Choose based on your priorities.
- Drawing Tools – If animating with a touchscreen, make sure your software has pressure sensitivity and solid stroke stabilization for easier drawing.
- Price – Paid programs like CelAction 2D provide more capabilities. But excellent free open-source tools like Blender are available.
- Learning Curve – Advanced tools have steeper learning curves. Weigh power against accessibility, depending on your skill level.
The Ending Line
Although the list of best animation software for Chromebooks is exhaustive, we tried to put down all the best animation apps that you can start with either as a beginner or as a professional.
We hope this article will help you out and when you download any of the apps from the list, feel free to showcase your portfolio here. We would love to see it.
Thank you