Animated presentations and slideshows have become more than just a way to add flair to a PowerPoint or a lecture. You may be a business owner trying to catch your audience’s eye with a memorable pitch, a student creating a dynamic presentation for an academic project, or someone putting together a creative video greeting for friends and family — the need for animated content is everywhere. And it’s not just the corporate or academic folks who need this — how about making an animated slideshow to showcase your travel photos or even a heartfelt family video to surprise your relatives on their birthday? Animation can truly transform the way you communicate ideas.
Now, for those of us who don’t have a degree in animation (myself included), there’s a whole host of software out there designed to make the process easy and, dare I say, even enjoyable. In fact, some of them are free animation software, meaning you don’t have to break the bank to create stunning, high-quality content. But with so many options available, which ones should you try? Let’s dive into four of the best solutions I’ve come across, each offering its own unique set of features, pros, and a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind.
1. SmartSHOW 3D: Simple Yet Sophisticated
Let’s start with SmartSHOW 3D. Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting much from a program with a name like that. But, after a bit of a play around, I’ve got to say, it’s a surprisingly powerful tool, especially for creating animated slideshows. It’s built for users who want to create something that looks professional but don’t want to get bogged down in technical jargon. Think of it as the perfect choice for those last-minute projects, like creating a birthday slideshow with a touch of class, or even a business presentation that needs a little more than your typical slides.
What it’s great at: The program’s standout feature is its easy-to-use interface. You can drag and drop images, music, and text, and voilà — instant presentation. But where SmartSHOW really shines is in the 3D effects. It allows for dynamic, multi-layered animations that give your slideshow depth, almost like you’re pulling the audience into the presentation. Great for personal or family use, and even for more serious business presentations that need to keep the audience engaged without overcomplicating things.
Where it could improve: If you’re looking for something that’s more than just a slideshow tool and want something closer to full-blown animation, SmartSHOW 3D might not quite cut it.
2. Krita: The Artistic Powerhouse
Now, Krita, on the other hand, is an entirely different beast. If you’re serious about animation — the sort of animation that requires intricate design, brushwork, and frame-by-frame control — Krita is a tool that should absolutely be on your radar. It’s primarily known as a digital painting software, but its animation features are robust enough for creating intricate animated presentations. In fact, Krita is used by a lot of professional illustrators and animators. Yes, it’s that good.
What it’s great at: The true beauty of Krita lies in its flexibility. If you want to add hand-drawn, bespoke animations to your presentation, Krita allows you to do so with ease. The timeline is straightforward, and its extensive brush library lets you add an authentic artistic feel to your animations. I’ve spent hours experimenting with this one, and I can tell you, the results can be downright stunning — as long as you’re willing to put in the time.
Where it could improve: The learning curve can be steep, especially if you’re not familiar with animation software. It’s not exactly as intuitive as SmartSHOW 3D, so it might take a bit of time to get your head around the interface. But once you’ve mastered it, Krita can turn out work that will rival more expensive software. Oh, and it’s free, so no complaints there!
3. Sketchbook: For Quick and Fluid Animations
Next up is Sketchbook, another fantastic tool that is worth mentioning for its animation capabilities. Known for its simplicity, Sketchbook is a great option for those who are looking for a quicker, more fluid way to create animations — and it’s another free option, which I appreciate.
What it’s great at: Unlike Krita, Sketchbook is a bit more user-friendly, which is why it’s great for those of us who might not have a background in animation but want to create something visually striking. You can create frame-by-frame animations that are clean and simple, and Sketchbook has all the right tools for drawing and sketching directly into your project. It’s perfect for animating concepts or illustrating ideas in a dynamic, engaging way without needing a huge amount of technical know-how.
Where it could improve: It’s not as feature-rich as Krita, and while it’s great for sketch-based animation, it doesn’t offer the same precision when it comes to advanced features like 3D animation or highly complex character animation. But for quick, sketchy animations to liven up your presentations, it’s hard to beat Sketchbook.
4. Animaker: Easy, Accessible Animation for Everyone
Lastly, Animaker is a fantastic cloud-based tool that truly democratizes animation. It’s designed for non-animators — anyone from teachers wanting to create engaging visual aids for their class to business owners putting together animated explainer videos. The drag-and-drop interface makes it incredibly easy to use, and it has a ton of pre-made assets, which means you can get started with very little effort.
What it’s great at: What I like about Animaker is how accessible it is. If you want animated characters, backgrounds, and ready-made animations at your fingertips, Animaker delivers. It’s perfect for creating explainer videos, product demos, or even fun personal projects. The library of characters, props, and backgrounds is vast, and you can customise everything easily. It’s great for a beginner who needs a quick, polished result.
Where it could improve: While Animaker is brilliant for simple animations and presentations, it does have some limitations when it comes to more complex customisation. If you’re looking for total creative freedom and detailed animations, you might find Animaker’s preset animations a bit restrictive. But if you’re working on something straightforward and need to get it done quickly, it’s an excellent option.
Conclusion
So there we have it, four excellent options for creating animated presentations and slideshows, each offering a unique set of features. Whether you’re after an impressive slideshow with 3D effects (SmartSHOW 3D), want to dive into detailed frame-by-frame animation (Krita), need a user-friendly sketch animation tool (Sketchbook), or prefer a cloud-based solution with pre-made assets (Animaker), there’s something here for everyone. All of these tools have their strengths, and depending on your project, one will suit your needs better than the others. Happy animating, and I hope this article helps you find the best option for your next creative endeavour!