The iPad has evolved from a simple gadget to become an essential tool for designers and animators. And in search of the perfect balance between convenience and functionality, Interface has created the best animation apps for ipad.
Since their launch in 2010, tablets have been widely adopted and used for creative and graphic work. In recent years, animation has become one of the iPad’s most popular uses.
However, what really sets the iPad apart for creative professionals is not just the hardware, but the ecosystem of its best animation apps for ipad developed specifically for it.
Finding the best animation apps for ipad can be a challenge, especially when there is so much generic advice and tempting promises.
For example, Adobe Animate is excellent on a MacBook Air M1, but it’s not a viable option for iPad users, as it requires more processing power and a different operating system than iPads offer.
That’s why in this article we’ve put together a list of the top 5 most reliable best animation apps for ipad.
5 best animation apps for iPad
1.Animation Desk
If you’re interested in creating your own frame-by-frame animations, Animation Desk is the best animation apps for iPad.
As one of the best animation apps for iPad, you can bring your artistic ideas to life directly on the screen of your device. And if you’re using an Apple Pencil, the experience will resemble drawing on paper, giving you an authentic feel.
Unlike traditional drawing on paper, one of the best animation apps for iPad a Animation Desk apps offers a wide range of digital tools.
With over six brushes available and the ability to work on up to nine separate layers, you have complete creative freedom. Additional features such as onion skin and rotoscoping are at your fingertips, further enriching your creations.
As well as creating animations from scratch, Animation Desk lets you import videos, Photoshop files (.psd) and images. This expands your creative options and gives you greater flexibility in your work. As far as the animation itself is concerned, you can set the desired frame rate, create loops, add audio and much more.
Animation Desk offers various options for exporting your animations, including formats such as .gif, .psd, MOV, PDF and Photoshop files. You can also choose to export your animations as a complete package when they are finished.
If you want to try out Animation Desk before purchasing it, there is a free version available, although its functionalities are more limited compared to the full version. To unlock advanced features, you’ll need to upgrade to the Animation Desk Pro version.
Pros of Animation Desk:
- Seamless integration with Apple Pencil.
- Fast acceleration speed.
- Versatility for animations and various visual projects.
Cons of Animation Desk:
- Drawing skills are required to get the most out of the app.
- The application can be slow and may crash in some cases.
Price: Limited free version, with the full version of Animation Desk Pro available from US$ 3.99 per month.
2. Clip Studio Paint
If you’re looking for the best animation apps for ipad with a powerful tool for creating animations and storyboards, Clip Studio Paint is a widely recognized choice.
This is one of the best animation apps for ipad with vector lines that maintain the authentic hand-drawn feel, this software is ideal for artists who want to bring their animated creations to life.
One of Clip Studio Paint’s distinctive features is the ability to draw in vector layers using your favorite pen and brush tools. This means you can resize or edit your creations without compromising the quality of the lines, which is particularly valuable for animations, from small gifs to high-definition, detailed projects.
The software offers specific features for animation, such as timeline management, light tables and onion skin.
These tools allow you to organize and plan your animation efficiently, making the creative process smoother and more precise. In addition, Clip Studio Paint combines aspects of vector and raster editors, providing a versatile and flexible approach to your animations.
A notable feature of Clip Studio Paint is the incorporation of deep learning AI. This enables intelligent features such as automatic colorization of images and automatic filling of animations, saving you time and maintaining the visual quality of your creations.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that Clip Studio Paint can be complex for beginners, and its price can be an obstacle for some. Despite this, its versatility and performance on various devices make it a preferred choice for both professionals and amateurs dedicated to producing high-quality animations.
Pros of Clip Studio Paint:
- Vector lines that preserve the hand-drawn feel.
- Advanced features for timeline management, light tables and onion skins.
- Combination of the best aspects of vector and raster editors.
- Deep learning AI for tasks such as automatic colorization and filling.
- Export options and smart features for smooth animations.
Cons of Clip Studio Paint:
- Complexity that can be intimidating for beginners.
- Advanced features may cost extra.
Price: The software has a free version, but also offers extra features and versions at additional costs.
3. FlipaClip
If you’re interested in creating cartoon-style 2D animations, FlipaClip is an excellent choice for the best animation apps for ipad.
FlipaClip is the best animation apps for ipad professional software used in the animation industry to create high-quality productions. It’s a powerful tool with advanced features and an intuitive interface, although it can have a slightly steeper learning curve for beginners.
One of FlipaClip’s distinctive features is the rigging system, which allows you to create characters with joints and controls that make animation easier. With this functionality, you can create fluid and realistic movements for your characters, saving time and effort.
The software also offers a wide range of drawing and animation features, including advanced brush tools, special effects, layered composition and a timeline to manage your animation frame by frame.
In addition, FlipaClip supports audio import, making it easy to synchronize movements and dialogues. It also offers high-quality rendering capabilities, allowing you to create professional-looking animations.
However, it’s important to mention that FlipaClip is paid software and its price may be a little high for some users. There are different versions available, each with different features and prices, to meet the needs of different users, from beginners to professional animation studios.
Pros of FlipaClip:
- Professional tool used in the animation industry.
- Advanced features such as rigging and frame-by-frame animation.
- Extensive drawing and animation options, including advanced brushes and special effects.
- Audio import and movement synchronization features.
- High-quality rendering for professional productions.
Cons of FlipaClip:
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Price may be high for some users.
Price: FlipaClip offers different versions with varying prices, depending on the features and needs of the user.
4. Animation Desk
If you’re interested in creating cartoon-style animations, Animation Desk is a great option to consider.
Animation Desk is a 2D animation application best animation apps for ipad that allows users to create frame-by-frame animations directly on their mobile devices. With an intuitive interface and robust features, it offers a fun and easy-to-use animation experience.
One of Animation Desk’s distinctive features is its animation timeline, which allows users to adjust the duration of each frame and create smooth transitions between them.
What’s more, one of the best animation apps for ipad offers a wide range of drawing tools, including pencils, pens, brushes and erasers, allowing you to create animations with different visual styles.
Another interesting feature of Animation Desk is the option to add audio to your animations. You can import music or record sounds directly into the application, synchronizing them with your frames to create animations with a soundtrack.
The application also supports layers, which allows you to add depth and complexity to your animations. You can create different layers for characters, scenery and special effects, making the animation and editing process easier.
Pros of Animation Desk:
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Wide range of drawing tools.
- Animation timeline to adjust duration and create smooth transitions.
- Ability to add audio to animations.
- Layer support for greater complexity and organization.
Cons of Animation Desk:
- Limited features in the free version.
- Some users have reported stability and performance problems.
- Access to advanced features requires the paid version.
Price: Procreate Dreams is available for iPad for US$19.99 as a one-time purchase.
Procreate Dreams is an application that offers advanced features, but does not have a free version. It requires adaptation to the app’s interface and exclusive features. It’s an option for improving your animation workflow.
5. Linearity Move
Linearity Move is the best animation apps for ipad and with a vector animation tool that simplifies the animation process.
As one of the best animation apps for ipad, a Linearity Move offers the Auto Animate feature, where you can turn static vector drawings into smooth animations with just one click. The user-friendly interface and smooth movement allow you to create high-quality animations quickly.
Compatibility with Apple Pencil increases precision, and future features such as real-time collaboration promise to increase team productivity.
Feedback from the community has been positive, with additional requests for hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts, which are now available.
Linearity Move offers high-quality export options and integration with popular design tools.
Although it is native to Apple and not available on Windows and Android devices, the software can be downloaded for free, with paid plans starting at US$7.99/month.
Pros of Linearity Move:
- User-friendly interface, suitable for all skill levels.
- Seamless integration with design tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Figma (upcoming plugins and integrations).
- High quality export options, including super HD 8K resolution.
- Support for Apple Pencil and iPad, increasing accuracy and productivity.
- Premium plans include Linearity Curve and Linearity Move licenses.
Cons of Linearity Move:
- The software is native to Apple and is not accessible on Windows and Android devices.
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