Did you know that video content is expected to make up over 80% of all internet traffic, and animated videos play a growing role in that shift? From mobile apps and websites to ads and training platforms, animation has become one of the most effective ways to explain ideas and hold attention. In fact, studies consistently show that people remember visual information far better than text alone. That’s why businesses across industries now rely on animation services to get the right message across.
Given how important animations are, have you ever wondered how they are created? Of course, they are developed by graphic designers, but what tools do they use to work their magic and produce those beautiful 2D and 3D visuals, easily understandable explainer videos, and similar content?
Today, we help you understand what software is used for animation services and how it helps businesses set realistic expectations and communicate better with animation teams.
Software Used for 2D Animation Services
2D animation remains popular because it is clear, flexible, and cost-effective. It is widely used for educational content, video marketing, and digital media. Let’s look at some of the go-to tools for designers offering 2D animation services.
Adobe Animate
Adobe Animate is one of the most well-known tools for 2D animation. It is often used for web animations, explainer videos, and character-based projects.
The software allows animators to create frame-by-frame animations or use motion tweens to speed up production. It also supports interactive content and exports to multiple formats, which makes it suitable for online use. Because it integrates well with other Adobe tools, many studios include it in their workflow.
This software is especially useful for projects that will be published on websites, learning platforms, or social media.
Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Harmony is widely used in television and film production. Many professional studios rely on it for high-quality 2D animation.
This software supports both traditional frame-by-frame animation and rig-based character animation. As a result, teams can handle complex projects while maintaining consistent quality. Although it has a steeper learning curve, it offers strong control over animation details, which makes it ideal for long-term projects.
Because Harmony supports both traditional drawing and rig-based animation, it allows teams to maintain visual quality while scaling production. This makes it a strong fit for animated series, branded storytelling, and long-term educational content.
Moho (Anime Studio)
Moho focuses on character animation and uses bone-based rigging to simplify movement. Instead of drawing every frame, animators can create smooth motion by controlling character skeletons.
This approach saves time, especially for small teams and independent creators. While it may not replace high-end studio tools, it is a practical choice for projects with limited resources.
Moho is frequently used for explainer videos, social media animations, and smaller brand projects. It works well when characters need to speak, gesture, or repeat movements across multiple scenes.
Open-Source Options for 2D Animation
Some animation services use open-source tools such as OpenToonz or Synfig Studio. These tools are free and offer basic to advanced features.
Open-source software works well for startups, students, and small studios. However, it may lack dedicated support and advanced pipeline tools found in paid software.
Many studios use OpenToonz when they want full creative control without ongoing licensing fees. While it offers powerful features, it often requires more technical setup and problem-solving. As a result, it is better suited for teams that are comfortable managing their own workflows.
Software Used for 3D Animation Services
If you want visuals that look and feel real, 3D animation services may be worth trying. These types of animations are commonly used in films, video games, architectural visuals, and product demonstrations.
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya is a leading tool in professional 3D animation services. Many studios use it for character animation, modeling, rigging, and rendering.
The software supports complex scenes and detailed animations. Because of its advanced features, it is often used in movies, games, and high-end commercials. While Maya requires training and a higher budget, it remains a standard in large production environments.
Blender
Blender is a free, open-source 3D animation tool that has gained strong industry acceptance. It supports modeling, animation, rendering, and even video editing.
In recent years, Blender has improved significantly. As a result, many studios now use it for commercial projects, especially when cost control matters. Blender’s active community also contributes plugins and updates, which help the software evolve quickly.
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is known for its ease of use and strong motion graphics features. It is often used for product animation, advertising visuals, and broadcast design.
Because it integrates well with design tools, it is popular among designers who move into animation. The learning curve is smoother compared to some other 3D tools.
When providing animation services, studios rely on it when creating product animations, logo reveals, and short promotional videos that require a clean and modern look. The software’s workflow allows designers to move into animation more easily, which speeds up production.
3ds Max
3ds Max is commonly used in architectural visualization and game development. It supports modeling, animation, and rendering for detailed environments. Although it overlaps with Maya in some areas, studios often choose between them based on project needs and team expertise.
It is used to deliver a range of animation services, including architectural visualization, real estate walkthroughs, and industrial product demonstrations. Its strong modeling tools make it ideal for showcasing spaces, buildings, and mechanical objects. Get in touch with TCU to hire 2D and 3D animation experts.
Software for Motion Graphics and Explainer Videos
If you want to tell a clear story or explain a product or idea, motion graphics and explainer videos can be the way to go.
Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects is a core tool for motion graphics and explainer videos. It allows animators to animate text, shapes, icons, and visual effects.
The software supports layer-based animation, which makes it easy to manage complex scenes. It also works closely with Photoshop and Illustrator, which helps maintain design consistency. Because of its flexibility, After Effects is widely used in marketing and media production.
It is a favorite for animation service providers for delivering app demos, marketing videos, and educational content. Because After Effects integrates smoothly with other design tools, it supports consistent branding across animations.
Adobe Premiere Pro (Supporting Tool)
While Premiere Pro is not an animation tool, it plays a key role in editing animated content. Studios use it to assemble scenes, adjust timing, and add sound. By combining Premiere Pro with After Effects, teams create smooth workflows from animation to final delivery.
Once animated scenes are complete, studios use Premiere Pro to assemble sequences, adjust pacing, and sync visuals with audio. This step ensures that the final video flows smoothly and meets delivery standards.
Vyond and Other Cloud-Based Tools
Cloud-based tools like Vyond are used for quick business animations. These platforms offer pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features. They work well for internal training or simple marketing videos. However, they limit creative control and are not suited for custom animation services.
Businesses often rely on these platforms for internal training, onboarding, or quick explainer videos. Because the tools provide pre-made assets and templates, users can produce content quickly.
Software Used for Visual Effects (VFX)
For shooting high-budget films and commercials, visual effects can be the right option, as they add realism and give the right impact for the viewer.
Houdini
Houdini is known for procedural animation and simulations. It is used to create effects like smoke, fire, water, and destruction.
Because Houdini uses node-based workflows, it allows for detailed control. However, it requires technical knowledge and experience. Studios use Houdini when projects demand complex effects and realism. These effects are often seen in films, commercials, and high-end promotional content.
Nuke
Nuke is a compositing tool used in post-production. It combines animated elements, live footage, and effects into a final scene. This software is essential in VFX-heavy projects. It ensures visual consistency and helps refine the final output.
When providing animation services, studios use it in commercials and film projects where multiple visual layers must work together.
Supporting Software Used in Animation Services
Sometimes, designers need more than just software to deliver the desired animation services. There are various supporting tools that can be used to complete the production process and give the end product.
Graphic Design Tools
Tools like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are used to create assets. These assets include characters, backgrounds, textures, and icons. Design tools ensure that animation starts with strong visuals.
While Adobe Photoshop ensures that animations start with strong, detailed visuals, Adobe Illustrator can create artwork that remains sharp across displays of different sizes.
Audio and Sound Design Tools
Sound adds emotion and clarity. Tools such as Adobe Audition help record, edit, and mix audio. Good sound design improves viewer engagement and message delivery. Adobe Audition makes life easier for animation service providers by helping them create simple yet informative explainer videos for marketing and other purposes.
Rendering Engines
Rendering engines convert animation data into final visuals. Popular engines include Arnold, Redshift, and Cycles. The choice of renderer affects quality, speed, and cost. Studios select engines based on project needs and hardware.
While Arnold can be essential to produce high-quality lighting and textures for cinematic animation and product visuals, Redshift uses GPU acceleration to handle complex scenes and deliver commercial projects within a tight deadline. Similarly, Cycles (Blender’s built-in rendering engine) is used for product demos, branded visuals, and short films.
How Animation Studios Choose the Right Software
Now that you know about the animation software used by studios and service providers, you’d want to know what to consider when choosing the right animation company. Here are a few of the factors worth considering.
Project Type and Complexity
Short marketing videos require different tools than feature-length films. Simple projects benefit from faster, lighter software, while complex projects need advanced systems.
Budget and Licensing Considerations
Paid software offers strong support and advanced features. However, open-source tools reduce costs and still deliver quality when used correctly. Studios balance budget with production needs.
Team Size and Skill Level
Large teams need software that supports collaboration. Smaller teams prefer tools with faster learning curves. Skill level also matters. A tool is only effective if the team knows how to use it well.
Using These Insights to Pick an Animation Partner
Understanding how studios operate internally helps set expectations. The next step is identifying animation companies that match those operational standards.
Trifleck
Trifleck provides a full suite of animation services, including 2D, 3D, and motion graphics for business communication and branding. Their in-house team creates explainer videos, product animations, logo animations, and character storytelling that help companies clarify complex ideas and connect with audiences. Trifleck combines strategic visual storytelling with technical animation and VFX production, tailored to business needs.
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)
Industrial Light & Magic specializes in visual effects and complex animation for large-scale productions. The studio is widely respected for integrating animation with live-action footage and for using advanced simulation and compositing techniques. ILM’s work has shaped industry expectations for realism and technical accuracy in animation and VFX projects.
Framestore
Framestore offers animation and visual effects services across film, television, advertising, and immersive experiences. The company combines creative design with technical execution, handling narrative-driven content and commercial campaigns alike. Its global presence supports multi-market production needs.
Buck
Buck focuses on design-led animation and motion graphics, emphasizing clarity and visual communication. The studio works with brands to create animated content that explains ideas and engages audiences. Its work is a good fit for marketing, digital media campaigns, and animated storytelling that serve strategic communication goals.
Blur Studio
Blur Studio produces high-quality animation for games, film, and short-form digital content. The studio is especially recognized for its cinematic game trailers and stylized 3D animation. Its work often balances technical precision with bold visual direction, making it a strong choice for visually impactful projects.
Conclusion
Animation services rely on a wide range of software tools. Each tool serves a specific purpose, from 2D drawing to 3D modeling, motion graphics, and visual effects.
There is no single “best” animation software. Instead, the right choice depends on project goals, budget, and team expertise. Professional studios often use multiple tools together to achieve the best results.
By understanding the software behind animation services, businesses and creators can make better decisions and communicate more effectively with animation teams.
