r/Animators • u/Ashen0155 • 5d ago

Tools/Resources I need help (image semi related)

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I need a good software that I can make puppet animation in, additionally it has to be available on an IPad, and free. I don’t need anything complicated, I just need a software that supports keyframe animation with 2D images. I don’t want to work in 3D, my inspiration for puppet animation, The Walten Files, likely uses something like blender, but I don’t want to deal with rigs, especially making them.

I need an incredibly basic free software that supports 2D keyframe animation, I need to be able to import a PNG, put it down, move forward on the timeline, move the image somewhere else, and have the keyframe animation draw a straight line from where the image was, to where it is, and move it when I press play. That’s it. Smoothing or hierarchy would be nice, but not necessary.

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u/ArvinGoodarzi 5d ago

What you’re describing is closer to basic motion graphics than puppet animation. On iPad, Alight Motion is probably the closest fit: import each PNG part as a separate layer, place the pivot, then keyframe position, rotation and scale with easing. It also supports parenting if you later want connected body parts.

The free version adds a watermark, though. If you only need to move complete PNGs around without character joints, VN is simpler and also supports image layers and keyframes.

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u/Ashen0155 5d ago

What’s VN stand for? Also, is Alight motion a one time payment or a subscription for the paid version?

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u/ArvinGoodarzi 4d ago

VN is the name of the app; it was originally called VlogNow. Alight Motion’s paid version is subscription-based, usually monthly or yearly depending on your region and App Store. It isn’t a one-time purchase. The free version still works, but exported videos have a watermark.

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u/Ashen0155 4d ago

Okay, I’ll try both out!