How do you create animations?

1 Choose your software

When creating animations, the first step is to choose the software that best fits your needs, budget, and skill level. There are free and paid options with various features and pros and cons. Popular and accessible software include Blender, a free and open-source 3D animation software; Adobe Animate, a paid 2D animation software; Vyond, a paid online animation software with a drag-and-drop interface, library of templates, characters, and assets; and Powtoon, a paid online animation software with more customization options and styles. Each of these can create realistic or stylized animations, motion graphics, visual effects, video editing, animated videos for business, education, and marketing, animated presentations, explainer videos, and social media content.

4 Animate your assets

The fourth step to create animations is to animate your assets. This involves moving, transforming, and manipulating your assets to create the illusion of motion and life. Depending on your software and style, you can use different techniques to animate your assets, such as keyframes, tweening, rigging, and motion paths. You should also pay attention to the principles of animation, such as timing, spacing, easing, and overlap.

5 Add sound and effects

The fifth step to create animations is to add sound and effects. These are the elements that enhance your animation, such as music, voice-over, sound effects, transitions, and filters. Depending on your software and style, you can add sound and effects from built-in libraries, external sources, or record them yourself. You should also sync your sound and effects with your animation and adjust the volume, pitch, and duration.

6 Export and share your animation

The final step to create animations is to export and share your animation. This involves saving your animation in a suitable format, size, and quality for your intended platform and audience. Depending on your software and style, you can export your animation as a video file, a GIF, a HTML5 file, or a link. You can then share your animation on social media, YouTube, your website, or other platforms.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?