Animation & Game Design Software Recommendations and Profiles

Articles with Animation/Design Software Recommendations

Below is a handy dandy list of animation/design software recommendation articles we have published on ACR. Bookmark it now as an easy reference.

3ds Max: Animation Features Worth Knowing

10 Types of 3D Graphics Software Worth Knowing

So you want to be a 3D artist, but you don’t know which software to choose? Whether you’re a newcomer to art programs or incredibly experienced, here are the first 10 3D modeling programs you should check out and consider using:

10 Types of 3D Animation Software Worth Knowing

There are hundreds of 3D animation software options to choose from, so where should you start? The answer depends on how much technological background you have, as well as what kind of 3D needs you have. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, here are the first 10 3D modeling programs you should check out and consider using:

Top 100 Most Influential Video Games of All Time

appromoter's Ed Vause Discusses the Intricacies of the Platform and How it Addresses the Most Crucial Needs of Developers Today

Apple’s App Store and the Android market now boast over half a million apps each and continue to grow. Not surprisingly, those with developing skills are often lured to this vast market, pulling Red Bull-fueled all-nighters and chatting code on the iOS Dev Center in between work projects, university courses and family time. Unfortunately, their hard work developing an app isn’t enough to get their apps noticed let alone making money. After all, the cost of acquiring a single loyal user stands at $1.26 (Fiksu, 05/12)… imagine having an app that lists for $0.99 and you can begin to appreciate just how expensive creating a popular app actually is.

Types of Software:

Game Engines/Software:

Animation Software:

Programs to consider:

MyPaint: Digital Painting Software Worth Knowing

August 18, 2011

Digital painting is a great modern reinvention of age old artistic skills and if you haven’t partaken in it then you’ve surely at least been blown away by a few pictures online that you thought were photos, only to discover they were actually highly detailed paintings. For most aspiring digital artists that want free software to get started with, this is a good choice. It has the ease of MS Paint, but the options are still there to do much more with your brushes and styles. Not only is it available to all Windows, Mac, and Linux users, but it’s also open source!

GameMaker: Game Design Engine Worth Knowing

August 18, 2011

GameMaker is about as easy as it gets for an artist who wants to make a game. Tell the program what sprite image is your character, how it can move and act, add some sound files, and then build the game world block by block. It’s not only limited to side or top down 2D creations, but it does encourage that style. You’ll still need a basic understanding of variables and other math fundamentals, but the difference is that you can learn it all in one night instead of spending countless hours reading before actually creating anything that’s worth playing. For the artists out there who are terrified of coding, keep reading and you’ll have your first game in no time!

Canvas 12: Illustration Software Worth Knowing

August 18, 2011

If you need to make technical illustrations of any complexity, then Canvas is the best precision software your money can buy. With a price tag exceeding $500, and previous versions still at a few hundred dollars, it’s quite the expensive digital tool but for good reason. Definitely not what the typical graphic designer will want or need, but for those who cater to professional industrial design markets it lets you make schematics for every field you could ever find a client in. Keep reading to see why Canvas 12 is a powerhouse program.

Poser Pro 2010: Animation Software Worth Knowing

August 1, 2011

Smith Micro Software’s Poser series is one of the oldest and most famous 3D rendering and animation packages in the 3D art industry. In the past it’s been known for letting users quickly create characters but making it difficult for them to refine their models and lighting scenes as much as competitor software offers. A lot has changed since the software’s launch in 1995 though, so let’s take a look at Poser Pro 2010.

ArtRage Studio Pro: Digital Painting Software Worth Knowing

August 1, 2011

It’s easy to forget that almost every film, video game, music video, and commercial starts off as a concept that’s fleshed out through text and art. Thanks to concept art, painting is still very much alive in the modern world we live in, with its grasp on culture possibly higher than ever before in history. If that’s the gigantic art industry you want to jump into then you’ll need the right software to help you bring your ideas to life. ArtRage is an affordable and powerful tool that’s worth considering.

Apple iMovie: Video Editing Software Worth Knowing

August 1, 2011

If you don’t want to create a complex television show, a big budget movie, or some other video with a budget, then you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars for a program that has a lot of features that you won’t need. If you just want simple video editing software for a small business project – or a film or slideshow for friends and family – then Apple’s iMovie is one of the best solutions for its cheap price. If you have a Mac then this is exactly what you need!

MUGEN: Game Engine Worth Knowing

August 1, 2011

Elecbyte released their customizable fighting game back in 1999, and the “M.U.G.E.N.” game engine was released in 2001. Ever since then, fans have been inserting custom character animations, levels, and other game objects into the MUGEN engine for them and their friends to play in casual and competitive matches. Users have the freedom to work with text files, graphic files, and even sound files to create the fighting game of their dreams. Keep reading for an analysis of all the features MUGEN offers artists and players.

6 Types of Web Animation Software Worth Knowing

July 16, 2011

So you want to make an animation to show off online, but you don’t know which software to choose? Whether you’re a newcomer to animation or incredibly experienced, here are the first programs you should check out and consider using. Because everyone’s needs are different, I’ve included both free options and expensive products that are more robust.

Digital Design Software Worth Knowing

July 16, 2011

Digital Design is sometimes referred to as Multimedia Design, but all it means is that you’re designing something digitally on a computer instead of actually creating the project with your hands and physical tools. Digital Design can range from a product that’s printed out, to a presentation done on a projector or Website, but it’s often a video editing project that involves special effects that help the artist make a creative animation.

8 Types of Game Design Engines Worth Knowing

June 4, 2011

It’s hard enough to assemble a team of people who have the skills to create all the pieces that are necessary for a complete game, and even harder assembling all those assets into a final product that’s polished for the world to play and enjoy. If that’s the crossroads you’re currently at, then this is the list of game engines you need to consider before picking a path for your game.