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Stop motion consists in creating an illusion of movement by animating an object, puppet, or image in a physical setting.
When you put together a sequence of still images and play them in fast succession you create the element of motion.
There is no literal movement, as all we are really watching is just a series of still images.
However, if played quickly enough, our brains will link these images together and create the impression of movement.
A stop motion animation software is key in order to achieve this.
What is the best stop motion software and why should I use it?
Although you can create your stop motion animation without a software, using one will allow you to check your mistakes as you go and correct them if necessary.
I animated without one for years and the truth is, I lost time, money, and energy by doing this.
This was because I was not able to check each frame properly until my pictures were transferred to my pc which made me trash and repeat several of my stop motion sequences.
If you want to stop motion animation to be as smooth as possible a stop motion software is all you need.
These are the best out there:
1. Stop motion studio
PROS
-Available for iPhone, iPad, and macOS as well as Android and Windows.
-Free Trial
-Compatible with most cameras
-Comes with tutorial
-Live view, onion skin and editing controls
CONS
-Live version has limited functionalities
Review:
Stop motion studio is one of the easiest yet most powerful softwares that will allow you to create your stop motion animations free of hassle.
These are some of the features it offers along with manuals and a free trial:
Desktop class movie editing
Grid and Onion skin controls
Comes with dozen sound effects
Painting tools
Adjust color levels and apply filters
Green screen (you can change your picture background)
After your trial ends you can purchase the software for as little as $5-$10.
Compared to other softwares Stop Motion Studio is very affordable and comprises several professional features, also including an on software editor with sound effects which will make your animating process much easier.
2. Monkey Jam
Free download
PROS
– Intuitive features
-Free
-Compatible with most cameras
CONS
-Very basic
-Does not have live view, onion skin and editing controls
Review:
Monkey Jam is totally free of charge and its navigation is very user-friendly. It does not require any configuration and allows you to process images from a scanner, webcam, and even digital camera.
You can quickly figure out how the software works and assemble your pictures as individual frames. There are also tons of youtube tutorials explaining how the software works so it won’t be difficult for you to get used to it.
However, it’s functionalities are still basic and don’t have useful features like onion skin and live view which usually allows you to check your stop motion shots on the go and correct mistakes with their double layers.
3. Stop Motion Pro Eclipse
Free download
PROS
– Works for the majority of webcams
-Free trial
-Intuitive design
CONS
-A bit more pricey
-Might not suit beginners
Review:
If you are just starting out with stop motion, Stop Motion Pro Eclipse might seem a bit difficult to use.
However, if you are wanting to take this art form seriously and learn all its ins and outs, this software will give you some key professional features that will make your project stand out.
Here’s some:
Smooth playback at up to 30 frames per second
Track and plan movement with markers
Record audio while playing back animation
Capture multiple frames with one click
Customize shortcuts
Compatible with dozens of cameras
Advanced project management tools
Thumbnail editor
After the free trial, you can purchase the full software for $185 or pay a $18 monthly subscription.
4. Dragonframe
Free download
PROS
-Outstanding on-screen tools
-Free Trial
-Compatible with most DSLR and mirrorless cameras
-Comes with tutorials and users guide
-Live view, onion skin and editing controls
CONS
-Price
-Might not suit beginners
Review:
DragonFrame is the stop motion animation software used by professional animators and stop motion studios due to their powerful production capabilities.
The software was designed by industry professionals and their website offers support and free video guides to all their users.
When buying the software you have the option to get a keypad used as a shutter remote control that allows you to stay focused on your animation.
They also offer composition guides, image review, camera control, live view, onion skin, multitrack and dialogue track editing, rotoscope layers…
There’s literally nothing you cannot do with this stop motion software.
That’s why not only professionals but independent filmmakers dream about having this stop motion software.
The possibilities are endless and their professional features are not comparable to any other software out there.
Although it might require a higher investment of $295 after trial, I believe it’s worth its price.
I purchased this software a year ago, and I’m still surprised about all the features it incorporates.
If you are a stop motion passionate and would like to make high-end stop motion projects this is the stop motion animation software you need!
5. iKITmovie
Free download
PROS
– Works for the majority of webcams
-Free sound effect and background tracks
-User friendly
-Free trial
CONS
-No tutorials on site
Review:
iKITmovie is best known for being the stop motion software used for claymation and lego stop motion projects.
Parents and kids love this software because it’s very easy to use and it has around 2,200 free sound effects to add to your film.
That’s why this software is great for those who just started out with stop motion.
You can purchase this stop motion software for around $69 after your trial ends.
6. Frames
Free download
PROS
– Works for the majority of webcams
-Affordable
-Super easy to use
-Free trial
CONS
-Does not export outside software
Review:
Frames is avery basic but decent software that will let you create your stop motion animation projects without too much hustle.
It is very easy to capture your pictures with your webcam or import entire folders from digital cameras.
As well as their most basic features they offer onion skin, chroma key, and time-lapse making it very easy to create a stop motion video.
After the free trial the full software can be purchased from $19.99-$39.99
7. Boinx iStopMotion
Free download
PROS
-Very cheap
-Super easy to use
-Works on Iphone
CONS
-Only for Mac or IOS devices
Review:
If you are looking to shoot your stop motion project through your Iphone or tablet Boinx iStopMotion would be the perfect software for you.
For only $9.99 it would pretty much offer all the basic features you need in order to make your project come true.
There’s nothing easier than animating your first stop motion film on your Mac, Ipad, or even your Iphone.
Video editing software or stop motion software?
For a high-end stop motion production, you will ideally have both.
A stop motion animation software will help you during the production of your film.
That is, taking each frame and making sure no mistakes are made.
Once your film is done you would then transfer it to an editing software in order to add music, sound effects, transitions, or even dialogue.
If you are just starting, getting both is absolutely not necessary.
In fact, before I got my stop motion Animation software, I used my DSLR camera to take my stop motion sequences and I would then edit them using Premiere Pro.
However, I need to admit there was no way I could know if I had done something wrong until I took my material to the editing room which led to several failures and re-shoots.
A stop motion animation software will allow you to check your sequences and frames as you go so getting one of these could be very handy.
That said, if you already have one and are looking for some video editing softwares, these are the ones I’ve tried and can tell they work:
The first three editing softwares are usually aimed at more experienced users, however, with a few youtube tutorials, you should be able to master them easily.
Imovie however, it’s more user friendly but can only be used for IOS or macOS.
If you don’t have a stop motion software and you want to edit your frames with an editing software directly, this is how you normally do it.
In premiere:
In Avid:
In Final Cut:
In Imovie:
Generally, you should be able to drag your pictures into your timeline, adjust them to your screen and select them. Then by right-clicking, select the option “Nest”
Once you’ve done this you would be able to play around with the speed of the sequence and make your scene go faster or slower.
I hope this post was useful to you!
Happy animating!
-Ana