To solve this problem, Harmony provides an automatic lip-sync detection feature. This feature analyzes the content of a sound track in your scene.
Toon Boom Harmony is the most leading software specially designed for animators and used by some of the high profile studios around the world. The software lets you work fast and animate in any style. It features a massive collection of powerful tools that you need for traditional paperless, cutout and hybrid animation productions… read more
12 Toon Boom Harmony Alternatives & Similar Software
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1. Adobe Animate CC
Adobe Animate CC is a Multimedia authoring and computer animation software solution by Adobe Systems. The software is specially used to design vector graphics, animation for TV programs, online videos, web applications and video games. It also offers support raster graphics, rich text, video, and audio embedding as well as ActionScript scripting that make it a comprehensive solution for everyone. Adobe Animate CC is a complete software program that allows you to quickly publish multiple platforms and reach viewers on desktop, mobile, and TV. It is known as an industry’s leading animation toolsets that lets you create applications, adds and different kind of amazing contents. It has an interactive dashboard that is full of advanced tools and feature which you can use to create your own animation videos and graphics. With the help of this tool, you can easily create video game characters that can make alive. Sketch and draw more expressive characters with the pressure that work like real-time, make your character blink, walk and talk with simple frame by frame animation. After finalize your creativity you can easily publish on your platform that saves your lot of time. Adobe Animate CC also includes core feature such as massive range of tools, simple editors, preview, create an interactive web-based application, powerful illustration, the range of animation tools, publish to the platform, asset sculpting, and auto lip-sync, etc. It is a commercial animation tool that offers different price plans.
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2. Polycode
Polycode is the world’s most leading C++ and Lua framework for designing interactive applications. It is a free, open-source and cross-platform engine that comes with all the major tools and features. All platform-specific functionality is obstructed into the cross-platform core and implemented natively on each platform so the same C++ code will compile on each supported platform out of the box. It can also be used as a purely scripted Lua framework via the Polycode IDE Application developed in Lua can be exported directly to all supported platforms. Its editor is quite simple and easy to use as well as allow you to import files without any limitation. One of the best thing about this application is that it provides scene rendering in 2D and 3D via its entity-based scene graph. Through its direct access to the renderer is always available, and most of its strength comes from its automatic management and rendering for scene entities. The engine takes care of things like lights management and frustum culling as well as all the other application materials. This comprehensive solution also comes with lots of new features such as support sound playback, support full keyboard and mouse, UDP0-based peer-to-peer or server-client networking system, attractive UI and much more.
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3. Tupi
Tupi is totally free to use software solution that helps you design simple 2D animations with all the basic set of tools and a very basic customizable user interface. It is very easy to install software solution and get up and running, and it even comes with a sample project that will surely help you learn the basic features and functions in one time. With the help of this software solution, kids and teenagers can easily create and share drawings and 2D animations either from their desktop, mobile or tablet devices. The most interesting and enjoyable fact about this solution is that it has a massive collection of stunning templates designs; each one has its own layout and color scheme. You can easily choose and customize each one without any limitation. As compared to all the other similar 2D animation creating solutions, Tupi is more powerful and offer a simple editor where you can easily access it all tools, drag and drop items as well as allow you to import objects that make it better than others. Tupi is a 100% free to use solution and you can enjoy its service on both mobile and desktop devices.
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4. Adobe Edge Animate
Adobe Edge Animate or Adobe Edge is a web development tool created by Adobe Systems to create Animated and interactive HTML content. It is a complete solution that allows web designers to create any kind of interactive animation for web, digital publishing, media adverting and lots of others that reach both desktop and mobile platforms. The software comes with an intuitive interface that is designed with a wide range of tools, realistic motion of graphics and HTML elements. One of the most interesting and enjoyable thing about this software solution is that it comes with an updated actions editor that offers lots of new tools to create a creative work. Adobe Edge Animate most prominent feature such as on-stage text editing, 64-bit chromium embedded framework, no-dependency on third-party libraries, custom folders, new pre-loader, linking support for DPS articles and hand and zoom tools, etc. It comes with a complete tutorial guide that will teach you about all the things in this stunning web editor.
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5. KoolMoves
Simple yet easy to use web animation software. KoolMoves is an all-in-one animation solution that allows you to create Flash animation with all kind of multimedia slide shows, media players and actions scripting as well as frames for animated gifs. It is specially designed for beginners to experts and offers all the core features, tools, and services to create a masterpiece. With the help of this solution, you can create text effects, import vector clipart, attach way audio, add action to text buttons and frames and much more. It is also known as an HTML5 animation software that exports as animated GIF, AVI and SWF for animated banners, games, characters and entire website, etc. Also, it exports as mobile applications using the PhoneGap and Adobe AIR SDK that makes it better than others. As compared to most of the leading web animated creating platforms, it is more powerful and offers lots of new tools and features. The core feature includes text and image effect, shape morphing, a massive range of drawing tools, convert flash, HTML5 animation, import and export capabilities, responsive design and simple dashboard, etc. Another great fact about this solution is that it supports Chrome Key functionality that lets you turn any single color portion of the video transparent.
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6. NanoFL Editor
NanoFL Editor is the most leading vector and animation graphics editor that comes with HTML5 backend in order to deliver comprehensive experience. The solution is specially designed for experts who want to create commercial banners, movie clips, and games. Use unlimited 2D and 3D objects to make your content more interesting as well as allow you to add interactivity with JavaScript, TypeScript or Taxes, etc. It comes with a simple editor where all its tools are consists of a number of categories; each category has its own tools and features. You can easily choose each one without any limitation to create professional content. Unlike most of the leading solution, it also offers a massive collection of templates; each template has its own design, color scheme, and items, you can easily customize each one without any limitation. NanoFL Editor also includes core features such as write application with your favorite framework, 3D blender, create and modify any kind of vector and animation graphics, import and export, simple interface and much more. NanoFL Editor is available to use in multiple versions, and each new version of solution offers lots of new features and tools.
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7. Moho
Moho is a comprehensive tool that helps you to create animation from start to end, it has a 2D rigging system of the marketing and combines it with traditional animation tools in order to make a professional animation. The tool is specially designed for professionals and digital artists, comes with an intuitive interface and all the robust features such as Smart Bones, Bezier handles optimized for animation, Smart Warp and frame by frame tools, etc. Moho also introduces advanced animation tools to speed up your workflow and cutting-edge features with powerful technology. It is available to use in different versions, and each new version of the program offers lots of new enhancement, tools, and features. With the help of this software solution, you can easily create any kind and size of animated content. Unlike most of the similar solutions, it also offers lots of templates and free content that you can easily access without any limitation. It’s most prominent feature includes freehand drawing tools, Bezier handles, smart warp, pin bones, realistic motion blur, new GUI, import and export actions and much more. If you want to design a commercial use animated content than try it out, Moho is an excellent option for you.
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8. MotionArtist
MotionArtist is an all-in-one comic creator that allows you to make motion comic with animation and sounds. It is specially designed with comic artists in mind that provides a way to add movement and sound to their creations. With the help of this software, you can import the characters and the artwork you have created in order drawing programs and turn them into motion movies and comic. The software offers three workspace views; each one has its own purpose and toolsets. The Director View is the most commonly used workspace in the software and shows an overall view of your work. It introduces lots of leading tools and features that save you lots of time and cost. One of the most interesting facts about this software is that it allows you to create your characters in another software and then import them for into this one. Just like most of the leading software solution it also allows you to create fully interactive motion comics of your illustrations, comic and manga art. You can also be able to embed your project directly into the web or add to existing HTML content. MotionArtist is a comprehensive comic maker software solution and offers all the core features and tools. Such as creating custom elements, presentation mode, import animation, advanced camera options, a huge collection of tools and much more. MotionArtist is a freemium solution, and you can enjoy it on Mac and Windows operating systems.
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9. EasyToy
EasyToy is an impressive 3D modeling software solution that uses a sketch-based modeling method as well as a 3D painting method. Basically, it is a learning tool for beginners and allows you to learn and create professional stuff easily. The solution has simple user-interface and operations; you can easily use it all tools and features without any limitation. A complicated 3D model can be developed quickly by combining multiple simple operations. As compared with existing 3D platforms, EasyToy is quite simple and easy to use and has a massive range of applications such as toy design, graphics, animations, and education. The solution is not only suitable for toy designers to design toy and CG creators to create 3D objects, but it is also best for non-professionals especially students to create 3D designs. It introduces a new 3D printing system that is down directly drawing colors on the surface of the 3D model. The reference design, operation setting, compatible 3D file format, application to toy design, simple editor, step-by-step guide and much more. EasyToy also has multiple templates, and you can easily customize each one without any limitation.
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10. WebAnimator
WebAnimator is an online solution that allows you to create gifs, HTML5 animations, banners, and buttons that work perfectly with all the leading devices and browsers without writing any single line of code. It is specially designed for professionals who want to produce professional content. Whether you are working on a video presentation, creative website or want to create a logo for a client, WebAnimator delivers all the comprehensive tools that let your creativity run free to impress clients, users, and friends. It offers quite a simple and intuitive interface so you can easily design your own animations by using its tools. There is also has an option that allows you to design and publish your animated content in HTML5 by managing events. Unlike most of the other similar platforms, it also offers a massive range of templates, and you can easily choose and modify each one with simple drag and drop interface. Its video animations and interactive objects work perfectly on both mobile and desktop browsers. WebAnimator is a commercial tool and offers multiple plans; each plan has its own cost and features. Such as drag and drop interface, simple editor, create banners, video animation and websites, interactive design presentation and expert guide, etc.
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11. Fla Exporter
Fla Exporter is a software program that allows you export your flash content to HTML5 with framerate of 60 frames per rate second and reduce the overall size of your animation with the help of this utility that integrates with Adobe Animate. The program feature is an impressive collection of brushes and pencils, cloud libraries, video format exporting capabilities as well as all the comprehensive features that help you create a masterpiece. All its features make it one of the best web animation tool as compared the others. Fla Exporter comes with an interactive editor that is full to advanced tools, and you can easily use all its tools without any limitation. Unlike most of the leading web animation programs, it also offers dozens of templates that consist of multiple categories; each category has its own template to choose and customize. Fla Exporter prominent feature includes showcase gallery, mask layer, tinting, cutout animation, add text, timeline action script, blend modes and much more.
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12. Purple Animator
Purple Animator is a commercial Mac OS program that allows you to create beautiful HTML5 animation with ease. It is quite simple animation creators that are specially designed for those who want to become a professional artist by creating a pro-style animation. All its animation can be viewed on mobile devices and on your computer. The best fact about this program is that it allows you to import assets directly from graphics applications like Pixelmator or Adobe Photoshop and quickly start creating at once. Purple Animator is contained all the leading features that allow you to make your own HTML5 animations to makes your apps, magazines, games, and websites even more exciting. Its most prominent feature includes simple editor, drag and drop interface, templates, expert guide, and much more.
More About Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Harmony is the most leading software specially designed for animators and used by some of the high profile studios around the world. The software lets you work fast and animate in any style. It features a massive collection of powerful tools that you need for traditional paperless, cutout and hybrid animation productions. With the help of this software solution, you can create TV episodic projects efficiently, develop movies with more artistic control as well all as create 2D/3D animation and game assets professionally. As compared to most of the leading animator maker it is more powerful and offers simple editor where you can easily access it all features and tools to make stunning content. The core feature includes massive collection special effects, camera angles, export to the game engine, pipeline integration, deformers, cut out animation and comprehensive brush engine, etc. Toon Boom Harmony also has multiple templates, and you can easily customize each one without any limitation.
Founded in 1994, Canadian software company Toon Boom Animation specializes in animation and storyboarding software. Its client base consists of names like Disney, Warner Bros and Pixar. But that doesn't mean its software off limits to the rest of us. In fact, it offers such a wide variety of applications, you'll have no problem finding something to meet your needs (and your budget).
Tools for people who aren't necessarily working on the next Hollywood blockbuster include:
- Toon Boom Studio, $149: Easy to use software ideal for animation fans, students, teachers, and hobbyists, and great for beginners. With Toon Boom Studio, you'll be able to create your own cartoons using a variety of drawing tools.
- Animate $399 / Animate Pro $699: Designed for frame-by-frame (Animate/Animate Pro) and cut-out style (Animate Pro) animation. These tools are perfect for freelancers, Flash animators, students, teachers, and After Effects animators.
- There's also a huge variety of software aimed at the young, such as Flip Boom All-Star, Flip Boom Cartoon, Animation-Ish, and a whole host of others. Check out just some of what's on offer in the Play zone.
Overall, though, Harmony is the company's flagship product, and quite possibly the coolest animation software on the market today.
Of course, this is just my opinion, but when my animation heroes are using it to create awesome movies like The Princess and the Frog, it seems I'm in good company...
Which version?
Harmony is offered as both a Stand Alone version and a Network version. Free trials of both are available; after that, to find out pricing you'll need to contact the sales department (and there's talk of 'payment plans' on the site, so it's not going to be cheap).
So which version is right for you? If you're a serious animator, but not part of a studio or involved in any type of collaborative effort, the Standalone version is the way to go. Otherwise, feel free to join the big guys with the Network version where you can take full advantage of features like asset sharing, colour palettes, libraries, and batch vectorizing and rendering.
I'm in the latter camp, so the rest of this review will focus on Toon Boom Harmony Standalone.
Moving over from Flash
Coming from a Flash background, I can honestly say the transition to Toon Boom software wasn't too difficult. While there was a little hiccup with learning the differences between Symbols and Drawing Substitutions, overall, I'm pleased with what Toon Boom has been able to do for me.
I really love having the ability to draw naturally in a vector-based environment. A full range of brush and pencil properties makes drawing in Toon Boom a lot of fun.
However, if you're using a mouse, or just prefer to use shapes for drawing (which is something I often do in Flash), Toon Boom Harmony offers a wide variety of line drawing tools, including the coveted Polyline tool (shown below).
Being able to choose between traditional animation and cut-out animation is spectacular. Being more of a hobbyist, it's not uncommon for me to just play around with stuff.
Being able to jump back and fourth between the two styles makes Toon Boom Harmony a clear winner in my book.
Another great feature is their True Space Camera. By placing your elements in different layers using Z Depth, and incorporating the True Space camera, you can give virtual depth to your scene.
This technique helps to give your animations a realistic 3D feel.
Sound and lip syncing
The auto lip-syncing feature is incredible. Using the Toon Boom Mouth Chart you can easily get your characters in sync with what their saying. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you're done. Of course, for a more finely tuned animation, you can still opt to sync your sound track and images manually.
However although Toon Boom Harmony does has sound editing capabilities, they are somewhat limiting. So I'd recommended that you consider using a third-party app for the more in-depth sound editing your project may require.
Exporting and final production
Toon Boom Harmony offers a variety of exporting options. The most common are SWF and MOV. However, you can also export your movie as a PNG sequence or as a GIF. You can even export your movie as a series of JPEGs.
In conclusion, while the interface may seem a little daunting, you'll quickly realise that this animation tool is not much different than Photoshop or Flash – and I highly recommend checking it out. If you need some help, training is just a few clicks away.