3D animation is the process in which 3D objects are moved frame by frame to create animation. You can create 3D animation using software. You can find various animation software on the internet, but only a few of them are truly free. Therefore, I have made a list of 3D animation software that is completely free to use.
In this 3D animation software, you get all the tools and important features to create a working 3D animation. However, making animation through this software is not too simple, especially for novice users. So, I recommend you to watch the tutorial of this software first before using it.
The whole process of making animation in all software is very similar. In all of this software, first, you need to make a 3D model and after that you need to provide movement to the 3D model to create 3D animation. Here are 4 lists of software for creating the best free 3D animations for windows.
1. Art of Illusion
Art Of Illusion is a Java-based open source 3D animation software for Windows. This 3D modeling and rendering software which also includes framework-based animation features. By using it, you can create animated solid objects such as moving machine parts, ball animations, etc.
Because this is a 3D modeling software, you can easily create 3D machine parts or models from scratch. For 3D modeling, you get tools such as Shapes (sphere, cone, cuboid, etc.), Boolean Modeling, Lathe, Skin, Tube, etc. The entire software interface is divided into four winows to see 3D models from various sides at a time. After creating a 3D model, you can start the animation process.
To create 3D animations, this software provides a special Animation Menu. In this menu, you can find all the important tools such as Position, Rotation, Pose, Keyframe Modified Tracks, Bulk Edit Keyframe, Forward Frame, etc. These tools help you make all the frames needed to make an animation.
After the 3D animation creation process is complete, you can immediately preview using the Preview option. The option to manually change one frame at a time is also present to analyze each frame thoroughly.
Before saving an animation, you can make it in any resolution. After rendering, you can export animations in POV, VRML, and OBJ formats. You can download Art Of Illusion [ from here ].
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is another free open source 3D animation software for Windows. You can also use it to create 3D models that you can later use in 3D animation.
For 3D modeling, you can choose from a variety of available projects such as part design, architectural design, ship design, work and meshes, etc. According to the project chosen, Agan obtained various sets of modeling tools. Using the available tools, you can build 3D models.
Similar to modeling, Agan also obtained various tools for creating 3D simulations. Along with the tools, you also need to have knowledge of the python language because python coding is used to adjust the position and movement of objects in the simulation. This software is good enough for producing 3D parts and machine simulations, but is not ideal for character-oriented animation.
In addition to 3D modeling and animation, this software provides 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 [ from here ].
3. OpenFX Animator
OpenFX Animator is the next free 3D animation software for Windows. Using this software, you can create simple 3D animations that show object deformations, section movements, solid body movements, etc.
To simulate various types of animation, it uses methods such as raytracing engine, NURBS, kinematics based animation, morphing, etc. This software interface is divided into four small windows namely Top, Rear, Side, and Camera. In the top, rear and side windows, you can see a basic skeletal model from three different directions at once. In the Camera window, you can run or preview your 3D animation.
How to make 3D animations using this free software:
To create an animation, first of all, you need to make a basic outline of one or more 3D objects that you want to include in 3D animation. To create a wireframe, you can use the Insert Tools menu, which provides tools such as Model, Particle, Path, Light, etc.
After creating wireframes, you can make more wireframes with a slight difference to show the motion of objects. After all the frames are finished, you can now use various animation tools to create an animation. The most important part of the tool for 3D animation is the Timeline part. By using it, you can shift keyframes, add motion timelines, rotation timelines, add keyframe scales, etc.
In addition, the Frame menu is also useful for determining the length of each frame in an animation. Plus, several other options such as add frame, delete frame, preview picture frame, etc., are also available in it.
After the 3D animation is finished, you can preview the animation by pressing the Play button on the Camera Window. When fully finished, you can export 3D animation as an Animation Script, Frame Script, VRML Script, and as a Keyframe Robot. You can download OpenFX Animator [ from here ].
4. Blender
Blender is a free open source 3D animation software for Windows. This is a fairly popular and sophisticated software used in 3D modeling, 2D animation, Simulation, VFX, Game Development, Video Editing, Rendering, Scripting, etc.
By 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 perspective. Similar to this, you can find many features for creating 3D and 2D animations.
Let's look at some practical features of this 3D animation software:
Animation & Rigging Tools: For animation and rigging, this software provides advanced tools such as envelopes, skeletons, automatic peeling, B-spline interpolation bones, curved editors, medicine sheets anesthesia, and more.
Story Art & Drawing features:These features give artists full animation support by skinning onions, layers & colors for scratches and contents.
Modeling and Sculpture: Modeling and Sculpture are two very important processes because they allow you to make 3D characters that look real. To make the characters look real, you get practical tools such as full N-Gon support, Sliding Edges, Grinders, sophisticated tool tools, Brushes, Dynamic Subdivisions, 3D Paintings, and more.
In addition to these special 3D animation features, you can find more useful features for creating VFX, Games, etc. Overall, this is one of the best free 3D animation creation software, but it is also quite difficult to operate, especially for novice users. Before using this software, you can view the 3D animation tutorial here . You can download the blender [ from here ].