Professional 2D animation software used in TV and film productions.
Toon Boom Harmony is a professional-grade 2D animation software used extensively in the television, film, and gaming industries. Known for its powerful features and versatility, Harmony supports a wide range of animation styles, including traditional hand-drawn animation, cut-out animation, and hybrid animation. It is widely regarded as the industry standard for 2D animation, providing animators with the tools they need to create high-quality, production-ready content.
Key Features
- Traditional Hand-Drawn Animation: Harmony offers advanced tools for frame-by-frame animation, including onion skinning, drawing tablets support, and customizable brushes.
- Cut-Out Animation: Provides a robust set of tools for creating and rigging cut-out characters, making it easy to animate complex characters with interchangeable parts.
- Bone Rigging System: Includes a bone rigging system that allows animators to create smooth and flexible character movements with inverse kinematics.
- Hybrid Animation: Supports the integration of 2D and 3D elements, allowing for complex animations that combine different techniques.
- Compositing Tools: Harmony includes built-in compositing tools for integrating multiple layers, effects, and camera moves directly within the software.
- Advanced Color Management: Offers powerful color management tools, including palettes, color-override effects, and advanced shading options.
- Cross-Platform Support: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility across different operating systems.
Benefits
- Industry Standard: Harmony is widely used in the animation industry, making it the preferred choice for professionals working on TV shows, films, and games.
- Versatile Animation Styles: The software’s support for traditional, cut-out, and hybrid animation styles makes it suitable for a wide range of projects.
- Professional-Grade Tools: Harmony’s advanced tools and features provide animators with everything they need to create high-quality, production-ready animations.
- Seamless Workflow: The integration of drawing, rigging, animation, and compositing tools within one platform streamlines the animation process, improving efficiency.
- Scalable Solution: Harmony offers different editions (Essentials, Advanced, and Premium) to suit varying levels of production needs and budgets.
Strong Suit
Toon Boom Harmony’s strongest feature is its comprehensive and versatile toolset for 2D animation, making it the industry standard for creating professional-quality animations in TV, film, and gaming.
Pricing
- Essentials: $25 per month or $240 per year, suitable for beginners and smaller projects.
- Advanced: $63 per month or $606 per year, includes more advanced features like deformers and effects.
- Premium: $117 per month or $1,092 per year, offers the full range of features, including 3D integration and advanced compositing tools.
Considerations
Harmony’s steep learning curve and high cost, particularly for the Advanced and Premium editions, may be prohibitive for beginners or small studios. Additionally, while Harmony excels in 2D animation, it may not be the best choice for projects requiring extensive 3D work.
3D modeling and rendering software for game design and visualization.
Free and open-source 2D animation software for hand-drawn animations.
3D animation software known for its powerful simulation tools.
Summary
Toon Boom Harmony is the industry-leading 2D animation software, providing professional animators with a comprehensive and versatile set of tools for creating high-quality animations in TV, film, and gaming. Its support for multiple animation styles, coupled with its advanced features, makes it the preferred choice for studios and professionals. However, its cost and complexity may be a barrier for beginners or those with simpler needs.
