Below is a list of 4 best free 3D animation software for windows. all the important tools and features to make 3D animation work are in the software for creating 3D animation which I mentioned below.
3D animation is a process in which 3D objects are moved frame by frame to create animation. You can create 3D animations using software. You can find various animation software on the internet, but only some of them are really free. Therefore, I have listed 3D animation software that is completely free to use.
In this 3D animation software, you get all the essential tools and features to create a working 3D animation. However, creating animations through this software is not very simple, especially for novice users. So, I suggest you to watch the tutorial of this software first before using it.
The whole process of creating animations in all software is very similar. In all these software, firstly, you need to create 3D model and after that you need to give motion to 3D model to create 3D animation. Here’s a list of 4 best free 3D animation software for windows.
1. Art Of Illusion
Art Of Illusion is a Java-based open source 3D animation software for Windows. It’s a 3D modeling and rendering software that also includes framework-based animation features. Using it, you can create solid object animations like moving machine parts, ball animation, etc.
Since it is a 3D modeling software, then you can easily create 3D machine parts or models from scratch. For 3D modeling, you get tools like Shapes (sphere, cone, cuboid, etc.), Boolean Modeling, Lathe, Skin, Tube, etc. The software’s entire interface is divided into four windows to view the 3D model from multiple angles at a time. After creating the 3D model, you can start the animation process.
To create 3D animation, this software provides a special Animation Menu. In this menu, you can find all the important tools like Position, Rotation, Pose, Keyframe Modified Tracks, Bulk Edit Keyframe, Forward Frame, etc. These tools help you to create all the necessary frames to create animations.
Once the 3D animation creation process is complete, you can immediately preview it using the Preview option. The option to manually convert one frame at a time is also present to thoroughly analyze each frame.
Before saving the animation, you can create it in any resolution. After rendering, you can export animations in POV, VRML, and OBJ formats. You can download Art Of Illusion [dari sini].
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is another free open source 3D animation software for Windows. You can also use it to create 3D models which you can later use in 3D animations.
For 3D modeling, you can choose a project from various available like part design, architectural design, ship design, work and meshes, etc. According to the selected project, you get different sets of modeling tools. Using the available tools, you can build a 3D model.
Similar to modeling, you also get various tools to create 3D simulations. Along with tools, you also need to have knowledge of python language because python coding is used to set position and movement of objects in simulation. the software is good enough for producing 3D parts and engine simulations, but not ideal for character-oriented animation.
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Apart from 3D modeling and animation, this software provides many more useful features such as Macro Recording, Macro Editing, Scene Inspector, Dependency Graphs and many more. Overall, this is a great 3D animation software. You can download FreeCAD [dari sini].
3. OpenFX Animator
OpenFX Animator is the next free 3D animation software for Windows. Using this software, you can create simple 3D animations showing deformation of objects, movement of parts, motion of solid objects, etc.
To simulate different types of animation, it uses methods like raytracing engine, NURBS, kinematics based animation, morphing, etc. The software interface is divided into four small windows, namely Top, Rear, Side, and Camera. In the top, back, and side windows, you can see the basic wireframe model from three different directions at once. In the Camera window, you can run or preview your 3D animation.
How to create 3D animation using this free software:
To create an animation, first of all, you need to create a basic outline of one or more 3D objects that you want to include in the 3D animation. To create a wireframe, you can use its Insert Tools menu which provides tools like Model, Particle, Path, Light, etc.
After creating wireframes, you can create more wireframes with less difference to show object movement. Once all the frames are done, you can now use various animation tools to create animations. The most important tool section for 3D animation is the Timeline section. Using it, you can shift keyframe, add motion timeline, rotation timeline, add keyframe scale, etc.
In addition, the Frame menu is also useful for determining the length of each frame in the animation. Plus, several other options like add frame, remove frame, preview picture frame, etc., are also available in it.
Once the 3D animation is complete, you can preview the animation by pressing the Play button in the Camera Window. Once completely done, you can export the 3D animation as Animation Script, Frame Script, VRML Script, and as Robot Keyframe. You can download OpenFX Animator [dari sini].
4. Blender
Blender is a free, open source 3D animation software for Windows. It is quite popular and advanced software used in 3D Modeling, 2D animation, Simulation, VFX, Game Creation, Video Editing, Rendering, Scripting, etc.
Using it, you can create realistic 3D animations and short stories consisting of various 3D characters. This software also facilitates 2D artists because they can directly create 3D scenes by creating 2D scenes using a 3D point of view. Similar to this, you can find many features to create 3D and 2D animations.
Let’s take a look at some handy features of this 3D animation software:
Animation & Rigging Tools: For animation and rigging, the software provides powerful tools such as envelopes, outlines, auto-skin, B-spline interpolation bones, curved editor, dope sheet, and more.
Story Art & Drawing features: These features give artists full animation support by skinning onions, layers & colors for strokes and fills.
Modeling and Sculpture: Modeling and Sculpture are two very important processes as they allow you to create real-looking 3D characters. To create real-looking characters, you get handy tools like Full N-Gon support, Edge Sliding, Grinder, Advanced sculpting tools, Brush, Dynamic Subdivision, 3D Painting, and many more.
Apart from these special features of 3D animation, you can find more useful features for creating VFX, Games, etc. Overall, it’s one of the best free 3D animation maker software, but it’s also quite difficult to operate, especially for novice users. Before using this software, you can see a 3D animation tutorial here. Bro, you can download blender [dari sini].