what animation programs are best because ive used paint ever since ive gotten my computer... its not exactly the greatest program around... money doesnt matter so...

This post has been edited by miCRoSCoPiC^eaRthLinG: Dec 29 2005, 07:02 PM

Best animation is Macromedia Flash MX 2004. I use it and im not even serious about animating but it has so much to learn and thigns to do. If you check out www.tomorrowsnobody.com im 90% sure those guys use flash mx, i recommend buying this program for the guides and help content that comes with it, how ever it is pricy it is well worth it.

Well... If you are about 3D animation then flash isn't good... you must ask yourself what animation you want...

flash is very, very good for web sites if you like flashy sites (Macromedia's flash is very good, but the price is too high for me so I use free SWFTools), but for 3D animations 3d Studio Max is one of best (but again, my pocket cannot aford it so I use Wings 3D with Blender - two good free apps.), again for cartoon-like animation you should use other, and for something else other app...

there are as many "best animation tools" as kinds of animation we can think of.

I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 for my 2D animations but I'm planning to try out a variety of 3D animators just for experience. Thanks for the hints Giniu, I might try a few of them!

This brings up old memories. Anim8or. It has to be one of the best free simple 3D animation and modelling program I have come across. If you want to pay a minimal fee, then GMax or something like it is about $20 or so. 3D Studio Max is in a league of its own. Although I can not and do not like doing 3D art, especially with complex programs like 3D Studio, the effects from people who do can be detremental. A designer, I have come across is very talented in the 3D world.
http://www.billybussey.com
(PS, you owe me for this bill).

If you want the easiest of easiest animators, download PIVOT

It's great for making stickmen animations, and you dont have to learn anything you can make a cool animation in .gif in a matter of minutes,You should check it out

Lol, I have tried PIVOT a long time ago. I actually now prefer to go with the more heavier applications. That way, I find better things to do and always experience something new every time I try.

It really depends on what you want your animations to contain.
As someone has noted Macromedia Flash is extremely good if you need to do 2D animations. If you want to do 3D animation you should use 3D Studio Max. However if you are more into the landscape 3D animation you can’t live without e-on software’s Vue series. You should definitely check it out – especially some of the movies made in the program. They’re awesome!

I used flash for a bunch of stick figure animations, you can make them 3D but it takes a LONG while, you pretty much have to draw it out frame-by-frame. But as Digital said, If you want 3d animation with characters use 3d Studio Max. Or what I used to use for cs models, that program is called milkshake or somthing like that. It's really good for making the models, It probaly isn't good animating them.

For those who cant afford the huge price tag of 3ds Max, if your a student of some sorts then you qualify for the student version at The Cad Store. It is still a good chunk of change, usually around 500 bucks but thats a crapload cheaper than 3500 that it normally runs. Plus its an unlimited license so its yours forever. The only restrictions on it is that you cannot use it for commercial purposes.

and generally when a newer version comes out its usually about 100 bucks to upgrade.. just something to think about for some of yall

and to stay on topic, i use 3ds max for animations.. i dabble with flash but depending one what im creating its generally done in max