- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: March 27, 2007
- Total Downloads: 45,410
- Downloads last week: 108
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 11 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Installing this app is not for the faint-of-heart or casual users. It requires four different installer files, Gtk , Gtkmm, Synfig Core, and Synfig Studio.
Once you get past the setup, however, Synfig is a powerful program for those who want to create Flash animations for free. It's neither easier nor harder to use than Flash, but--also like Flash--it requires some diligent study before you can begin using the toolbox effectively. To help you get there, there's a huge volume of documentation and tutorials available at the Synfig Web site.
The app seems to be able to do most--if not all--that its expensive Flash cousin can do, at least as far as animation goes. Features include spatial and temporal resolution independence, pen tablet-sensitive tools, path-based gradients, layering, and an interface that's modular, allowing you to maximize screen real estate. It would be nice to see some more shape tools in future versions, but for a free animator that doesn't devour your system resources, Synfig is absolutely worth trying.
Publisher's description
From Synfig :Synfig Studio is a vector based 2D animation program. It is designed to be capable of producing feature-film quality animation. It eliminates the need for tweening, preventing the need to hand-draw each frame. Synfig Studio features spatial and temporal resolution independence (sharp and smooth at any resolution or framerate), high dynamic range images, and a flexible plugin system.
Note:You will also need to download Synfig Core, GTK+ Runtime Environment and Gtkmm installers. Install all three before installing Synfig Studio. Beta or prerelease software is not intended for inexperienced users, as the software may contain bugs or may potentially damage your system. We strongly recommend that users exercise caution and save all mission-critical data before installing or using this software.
What's new in this version:
Version 0.6.1.05 includes a variety of minor bug fixes.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 11 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 10 user reviewsSee all 10 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Synfig Studio 0.61.05
"Good, useful, lots more potential development."
Pros: Some users' comments do not do justice to this tool, and that's why I decided to comment. SynFig provides a sophistcated set of facilities for developing layered pictures with animations. "Tweening" (automatic smooth transition from one fixed picture to another to produce animation) is a powerful labour-saving technique. There is an installation video on their web site which, although low resolution, removes the uncertainty, and the Help menu connects to a series of textual/pictorial tutorials which progress through the multitude of features. There is also an ambitious set of enhancements in the development pipeline, including major speed improvements. Follow the links to the Wiki and you can see some of what can be achieved!
Cons: This is not for you unless you are prepared to take it seriously. It does require you to put some effort into learning, just as other sophistcated packages do, such as Gimp and Flash. Do check for updates on the synfig web site.
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0 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Synfig Studio 0.61.05
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0 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Version: Synfig Studio 0.61.05
"stupid not wearth the download"
Pros: it only takes a few seconds to download.
Cons: it dont work at all. unless you buy this stupid program or somthing.
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3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Synfig Studio 0.61.05
"looks good...using is something else"
Pros: The interface is intuitive enough and much like TheGimp. Set up is a by the book process but easy enough for those who are used to setting up apps in M$ or Linux.
Cons: Try to find full documentation for the WIN32 version... Oh yeah, hens teeth are easier to find. The description says 'lots of documentation out there' or something such... and even the 'wiki' is left hanging. Needs some serious attention this could be a life changing tool for a one-man studio like mine! I was hoping to use it for my anime/manga students.
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Version: Synfig Studio 0.61.05
Pros: Very similar to Flash, so it's easy for me.
Cons: It'snot actually Flash
Summary: You can't actually do Flash animations. I don't know why this article says you can. It's something they're working on, but it's not implemented yet.
If you can do Flash animations in this, someone please let me know how. I'm using Synfig... read more >> - See all 10 user reviews Write review
