Motion Graphics Software – A Brief Guide

Are you looking for all-in-one motion graphics software? You are on the right article!

With the revolutionization, new software are introduced every day to fulfill the world’s need. You might find it challenging to find the perfect fit for your project.

Whether it is a daily task or an occasional procedure, people cannot find the correct software for everyday purposes.

So, here we are providing you with a complete manual regarding the best motion graphics software that will help you as a graphics designer and are appropriate in the field of motion graphics.

Essential Motion Graphics Software

There are many software in the industry, but we have gathered the top. We have enlisted the best motion graphics software that you can choose according to the niche of your project or client.

So without any further ado! Let’ jump right into it!

#1) Photoshop

People say that “This Picture is Photoshopped” whenever someone edits any picture or image. Adobe Photoshop is considered as the first learning step when you begin with photo editing or motion graphics.

If you are a graphics designer, you must have some knowledge of the motion graphics tools to keep your work in line.

There are many complicated tools for motion graphics, but the best thing about Photoshop is that it is easy to use for experts as well as beginners.

Once you have learned the basics of designing on Photoshop, it will be easy to go to the next level.

Price

If you are a part of creative cloud then $52.99 per month and a solo account will cost $20.99 per month.

Features

• Easily create matte paintings
• Texture Editing
• Design Boards
• Stitch Images Together
• Make GIF
• Cel Animations Layout
• Rotoscope
• Much more available

#2) Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is similar to Adobe Photoshop, but they have different functionality.

When we talk about Photoshop, it entirely deals with the bitmap, i.e., pixel-based editing, whereas Illustrator is vector-based editing software.

If you are new to the term vector image, then a file that can be scaled infinitely without pixelating is known as a vector image.

The vector image helps you while designing a logo or shape. Even a vector background can be used as a workflow in motion graphics.

Price

If you are a part of creative cloud then $52.99 per month and a solo account will cost $20.99 per month.

Features

• Pixel Perfect Designs
• Snap to Pixel Capability
• Inbuilt Design Templates and Presets
• CSS extractor tool
• Color Synchronization
• Free Transform Option
• Image in Brushes
• Path Segment Reshaping Options
• Perspective Drawing Enhancements
• Anchor Point Enhancements Options
• Dynamic Symbols
• Live Shapes Capability
• Shape builder Freeform Mode
• Smart Guides

#3) Adobe After Effects

If you are working as an animator, illustrator, or graphics designer, you must master Adobe After Effects. You can follow the motion graphic animation trends using Adobe After Effects for better understanding.

Moreover, Adobe After Effect is a 2.5D animation software that allows you to perform virtual animation in your project.

As a fact, the After Effect is considered as the primary tool for making motion graphic videos and art.

The After Effect works best when you have a designed storyboard and element on either Photoshop or Illustrator.

Once you have completed the editing, you can easily export the finished files to the other video editing software to combine all project modules as one.

Price

Adobe Creative Cloud costs you $52.99 per month, and an individual account will cost $20.99 per month.

Feature

• Logo Reveals
• Title Animation
• 3D Compositing
• Motion Tracking
• Object Removal
• Simulation Effects
• Template Creation
• Slideshow Design
• UX/UI Design Mockups
• Web Design Mockups
• Explainer Videos
• Kinetic Typography
• VFX

#4) Adobe Premiere Pro

Like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe After Effect, Adobe Premiere Pro is a product of Adobe and is available on the Creative Cloud to access.

Even after the availability of different software, Adobe has done great work and introduced Premiere Pro that works together with the After Effect software.

After Effects is the number one choice of video animators and graphic designers.

You can sync it with various tools like Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas, and Avid Media Composer to give the video a final look.

Price

As a member of Adobe Creative Cloud, the cost will be $52.99 per month, and an individual account will cost you $20.99 per month.

Features

• Simultaneous Projects
• Motion Graphics Templates
• Shared Projects
• VR Editing
• VR Rotate Sphere
• VR audio Editing
• Effects
• Video Titling and Graphics
• Transitions
• Regional Closed Caption standards
• Labels
• Lumetri Support
• Type Tool
• Libraries
• Multiple Video Types

Intermediate Motion Graphic software

#1) Cinema 4D

It’s time to dive into the realm of 3D animation once you are a master in all the above Adobe software and animation techniques.

Cinema 4D is the top choice for most graphic designers in motion graphics software. It has a user-friendly interface and is easy to learn; all you have to do is watch tutorial videos and create practice projects.

The Cinema 4D is a versatile animation tool that also entertains motion graphics projects to perform 3D modeling, animation, and simulation effects.

You can find Cinema 4D used in various studios in Hollywood, but companies prefer Maya for corporate-level VFX.

Price

Cinema 4D offers a plan that costs $59/month.

Features

• Volume Builder
• Fields
• Node-based shaders
• UV Unwrapping
• Improved CAD importer
• Alembic Baking

#2) Mocha AE

Mocha AE is an award-winning planer-based tracking and masking plug-in inside the Adobe After Effects, making Mocha a valuable tool for motion artists who want to do screen replacements, object removals, or rotoscoping.

You may find it difficult to use the Mocha AE at the start, but as soon as you are used to its spline-based workflow, it will be easy for you to track all the movements virtually.

Due to being integrated within After Effects, you can easily switch from After Effects to Mocha to track a shot, then return to After Effects with the tracked camera data.

If you start working on commercials or advertisements, Mocha is a handy and valuable tool among motion graphics software.

Price

The license of Mocha Pro will cost you $695, whereas the Mocha AE, as a plug-in for Adobe Creative Cloud tools, will cost you around $20.99.

Features

• Advanced Modules: Lens, Insert, Remove, 3D solve, stabilize
• GPU accelerated tracking and object removal
• Stereo 360/VR workflows
• Export data to industry-standard systems

Cell Animation Tools

#1) Adobe Animate

If you are looking for software that helps you create compelling 2D animation stories, then the hunt is incomplete without Adobe Animate.

Adobe Animate is one of the fantastic animation tools from the collection of Adobe Creative Cloud.

The uniqueness of Animate is that you can easily post the project on multiple platforms with adjustable formats and reach the audience in no time.

Price

Being a premium member of Adobe Creative Cloud, you can access all the animation and editing tools at just $52.99 per month, and if you are using an individual account, it costs you $20.99 per month.

Features

• Adobe Animate Camera
• Lip-syncing
• Vector Brushes
• Design Interactive animations for games, TV shows, and the web
• Bring Cartoons and Banner ads to life
• Create animated doodles and avatars
• Creation of eLearning and infographics made easy

#2) Moho

Moho Pro 13 is an amazingly efficient animation and illustration tool that serves to amplify the project’s workflow.

The possibilities will be limitless if you incorporate bitmap, freehand drawing, vector animation tools, and Moho’s bone-rigging system in a project.

If you are into custom animation, Moho is the right choice to test your capabilities and creativity.

Price

The Moho has paid version that cost $399.

Features

• Brush Tools
• Rigging Systems
• Keyframing tools
• Photoshop Integrations

Advanced Motion Graphics Software

#1) Unreal Engine

Are you looking for a free but badass 3D creation tool? Then Unreal Engine is what you have been looking for. It is the most powerful tool used for real-time 3D creation and animation.

Being unpaid makes it popular among animators and graphic designers. The developers of Unreal Engine are continuously updating it to make it more helpful and effective for the animators to animate attractive animations and videos.

Along with game development, Unreal Engine is also used in Television, film, and commercial production.

Price

Although it is a free tool to use, but if you’re going to utilize Unreal Engine for commercial production, you have to pay some royalty fee.

Features

• Pipeline Integration
• World Building
• Animation
• Rendering, Lighting, Material
• Simulation and Effects
• Gameplay and interactivity authoring
• Developer tools

#2) ZBrush

If you are a 3D animator, ZBrush will help you digitally sculpt and paint the projects. The customizable brushes let you craft incredible and mesmerizing art. You can shape, add texture, and paint the virtual clay according to your desire.

ZBrush is trusted by renowned studios, game developers, figurine & collectible makers, automation & aviation gear, jewelry designers, animators, graphic designers,  illustrators, marketers, scientists, and other creative creators around the globe.

Price

The cost of ZBrush is $39.95 per month.

Features

• Base mesh Generation
• Sculptris b – Easily add and remove polygons whenever you need them.
• DynaMesh
• ZModeler
• Live Boolean

#3) Blender

Blender is one of the top choices of animators and graphic designers. It is an open-source 3D animation software that supports 3D animation pipeline processes, like modeling, rigging, simulation, rendering, texturing, animation, composition, and motion tracking.

Blender facilitates not only 3D pipeline but also video editing and 2D animation pipeline.

Price

You don’t need to pay any amount to download it for free and avail of its services anywhere anytime!

Features

• Rendering
• Modeling
• Sculpting
• Animation and Rigging
• Grease Pencil
• VFX
• Simulation
• Video Editing
• Scripting

#4) Nuke

Nuke is an animation tool preferred by professional animation and graphic artists. It is a node-based compositing tool used to merge 3D elements and videos together.

Nuke and After Effects are tools that can both easily be used on similar compositing projects, but Nuke has explicitly been designed with professional users in mind.

Price

It is pretty much expensive for an individual but quite affordable for enterprises. Nuke cost $4,988.

2D Features:

• Nodal toolset
• Deep Image compositing
• Stereoscopic workflow
• Rotoscoping
• Keying
• Keylight
• Dope Sheet
• Relighting
• OFlow retiming
• ZDefocus
• 32-bit floating-point color channels
• Color analysis tools
• Planar Tracker
• Furnace plug-ins
• Kronos retiming
• Advanced retiming and warping
• Vector Generators
• Lens Distortion
• 360° Stitching and Camera Rig Solving
• VR Corrections

3D Features:

• 3D workspace
• UDIM import
• 3D Camera Tracker
• Model Builder
• 3D Particle System
• Point cloud and depth generation

Final Words

Hopefully, this read has benefited you and helped you choose the right motion graphics software for your project.

And if you need any professional assistance, you can always count on BuzzFlick – the top video animation agency in the USA.

BuzzFlick has a skilled team of animators and illustrators that are experts in animated explainer videos, motion graphics services, 2D & 3D animation, whiteboard animation, and video editing services.

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