Our verdict: Synfig Studio is the leading free tool for keyframe-based vector animation. Tweening and bones save a lot of frame-by-frame work. The interface is technical, and it is weak for hand-drawn animation.
About Synfig Studio
Synfig Studio is developed by a community under the GPLv3. The stable 1.4 series is recommended for everyday work, while the 1.5 series is published as a development version with experimental features.
Instead of drawing every frame, you set key positions and Synfig calculates the in-between frames. Vector shapes can morph into other shapes, and more than 50 layer types cover geometry, gradients, filters, distortions and fractals. A full bone system rigs vector or bitmap artwork for cut-out animation, and layer parameters can be linked directly or through expressions.
What it does well
- Vector tweening. Set key positions and in-between frames are calculated automatically.
- Bones. Rig vector shapes or bitmap images for cut-out animation.
- 50+ layer types. Geometry, gradients, filters, distortions, transforms and fractals.
- Linked parameters. Connect layer values directly or through mathematical expressions.
- Skeleton distortion. Deform bitmap artwork with a bone-driven layer.
Who it is for
Good fit
Animators creating vector cut-out, motion graphics and character puppets.
Look elsewhere
Frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation or users who want a simple interface.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Automatic tweening saves time
- Powerful bone system
- Many layer types and effects
Cons
- Technical, dated interface
- Poor fit for hand-drawn animation
- Download page pushes an optional payment
How to install Synfig Studio
The official page asks for an optional purchase or email address; the private link on the same page and the GitHub releases give the same free installer. Choose the stable 1.4 version, not the 1.5 development builds, for real projects.
Questions about Synfig Studio
Is Synfig Studio free?
Yes. It is open source under the GPLv3. Paying on the download page is optional.
Which Synfig version should I download?
The stable 1.4 series. Version 1.5 is a development release with experimental features.
