As professional Motion Designers we are called to choose our Tools, among the enormous amount of Animation software out there. Some years ago, Adobe After Effects was the king in the industry but now the situation is different. Sometimes we just need to adapt to the software used by our agency or our client, but in some cases we are free to choose and therefore totally responsible for our choice. What is the best motion design software? Is this not scary enough??

The choice between After Effects, Rive, and Cavalry depends on the type of animation work we do and our specific needs.

1. Adobe After Effects

• Best For: General motion design, compositing, visual effects, and 2D animation.

Thanks to its enormous ecosystem, made by extensions, plugins, script and templates, it is rather easy to create something complicate animations, by just investing some money in buying the right tool.

It has been on the market for decades, meaning that the base code is indeed old and not optimized to current standards. This explains why you may need a rather powerful machine to make it run fast enough on bigger projects.

Nevertheless, this is still my main tool, where I create and sell scripts that are used by hundreds of designers.

After Effects Pros:

• Industry standard for motion design and visual effects.
• Huge library of plugins and integrations.
• Powerful tools for compositing, keyframing, and animation.
• Supports both 2D and limited 3D animations.
• Large community and extensive tutorials.

After Effects Cons:

• Can be overkill for simple animations.
• Resource-intensive, often requiring a powerful computer.
• Subscription-based, which can be costly over time.
• Not real-time, so renders can be slow depending on the project size.

2. Rive

• Best For: Real-time interactive animations, especially for web and apps.

Rive is having gaining every day new happy users. This web based designer application allows to create smooth interactive animations. In some ways, it wants to take the place occupied in recent years by After Effects with the Lottie plugin. The animations created in the Rive App, can be used in a growing number of client applications.. websites, mobile apps, unreal, games, Figma,… the basic membership is free, while you need to pay for more advanced or team functionalities.

Rive Pros:

• Focused on real-time animations for interactive platforms like websites, apps, and games.
• Lightweight animations, which can be exported as code (WebGL, Flutter, etc.).
• Allows live, interactive animations that respond to user inputs.
• Free plan available, with paid pro options.

Rive Cons:

• Not suitable for complex video editing, VFX, or compositing.
• Limited to 2D animations.
• Smaller community compared to After Effects.

3. Cavalry

• Best For: Procedural motion design and data-driven animations.

Cavalry has been around for some years and is steadily growing. The base code is more recent and optimized compared to After effects. If you feel that 2D procedural animation is your thing, Cavalry might be your best choice, with faster previews and internal functionalities that are only available through external plugins in After Effects.

It is completely vector based, and you will surely appreciate the possibility to import SVG images, while this is not possible in After Effects.

Cavalry Pros:

• Strong procedural animation tools that allow you to create complex animations with minimal effort.
• Node-based workflow, ideal for data-driven design.
• Fast and intuitive, with real-time feedback, which is great for iteration.
• Can handle both vector-based 2D animations and more complex parametric animations.

Cavalry Cons:

• Still growing its user base and learning resources.
• While it has some 3D capabilities, it’s not as robust as dedicated 3D software.
• Less well-known and not as universally adopted as After Effects.

Conclusion:

• After Effects is ideal for general motion design, visual effects, and any work that requires a wide range of tools and compositing features. It’s perfect for freelance projects that need versatility. As a freelance motion designer, this is still a compulsory tool to find a decent number of clients.
• Rive excels in interactive and lightweight animations for web and app platforms, and is great if you’re working with developers to create real-time animations. If you are old enough, you may remember Flash was doing similar things. Well, it looks that Rive is doing it better.
• Cavalry is perfect if you want a more procedural approach to motion design, particularly for data-driven or parameterized animations.

What is the Best tool for Commercial Projects?

When it comes to money, and not only technical aspects, we need to consider how many designers use rive and Cavalry. In big studios and Agency, all of the designers know After Effects and it could be tough to use new applications, whose formats are not compatible with the industry standard. This will change overtime, as more specific projects will be done with the tool that works best, but for the moment, After Effects rules.

Are you ready to level up your Motion design game? Well, buckle up, because I’m going to show you a game-changer—the brand-new “2D Text Box (Mask and Effects)” preset!

No more hours of code, no more frustration, no more searching for outdated tutorials just to put a simple box around your text. This is the HUGE improvement we’ve all been waiting for, and it’s going to change the way you work.

It has been added to After Effects cc2024 in the last months, so you don’t have to pay anything more.. it’s part of your Adobe Subscription, together with the tons of other presets and effects.

How To Use the Text Box Preset

1. All you need to do is to Create a Text Layer with the text you need.

2. Then go to the Effects and Presets panel and look for: 2D Text Box (Mask and Effects)

3. Drag it over your text layer to apply it.

4. Edit the properties you want to change in the effects control panel.

The great news is that it is self adapting to the text. For instance, if you put a text animator on the layer, the text box will adapt to the content at each moment.

You can also change the Padding, the roundness and direction of the corners, even individually… so you can set a round corner on the top left, while keeping square corners on the others.

Of course each and every color is easily accessible in the effects properties panel, together with all the configurations for the fill and the lines.

Personally, I have always been using some of my expressions when I needed text boxes. Having a developer background helped me in the past.. but frankly, since when I discovered this new textbox preset, I have being using it almost exclusively!

This is THE tool motion designers have been dreaming of. You’ve got total creative freedom, and you can focus on what really matters—your design, not wasting time coding!

And that’s it! The brand-new “2D Text Box (Mask and Effects)” preset is here, and it’s going to change the way you work forever. Say goodbye to coding stress, and hello to creative freedom!

So, what are you waiting for? Go try it out and let me know in the comments how much time it’s saving you.

In the digital age, video editing has become an essential skill across multiple industries. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or a social media content creator, picking the right video editing app can make all the difference. Two names that often pop up in the conversation are CapCut and Premiere Pro. But how do you know which one is best for you? This article will delve into various aspects of each app to help you make an informed decision.

CapCut: Video Editing Made Easy

Why Choose CapCut?

For those new to video editing or those who prefer a simplified interface, CapCut is an excellent choice. With a design that prioritizes user-friendliness and intuitive controls, it’s an ideal starting point for novices. Its drag-and-drop functionality simplifies the process of importing, arranging, and editing clips.

Features and Functions

Despite its beginner-friendly approach, CapCut offers an impressive range of editing tools and effects to improve your videos. You can trim, crop, and merge clips, adjust brightness and contrast, add text and stickers, and even apply advanced effects like motion tracking. While it might not boast the extensive feature set of Premiere Pro, it provides sufficient tools for basic to intermediate editing needs.

Cost-effectiveness

One significant advantage of CapCut is its affordability. It’s a free app available for Android, iOS devices and also Windows PC. You can access most of its features without any cost, making it an attractive option for those on a budget or exploring video editing as a hobby.

Premiere Pro: The Choice of Professionals

Superior Editing Tools

Premiere Pro is a comprehensive video editing software popular in the professional filmmaking industry. It offers an extensive range of advanced editing tools and features, making it a preferred choice for professionals and experienced editors. From multi-camera editing to advanced color grading, Premiere Pro provides the necessary tools to achieve high-quality and polished videos.

Workflow and Integration

Premiere Pro integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as After Effects and Photoshop. This integration results in a smooth and efficient workflow. The ability to switch between applications and share project files makes it a valuable tool for professionals working on complex projects requiring different creative elements and Templates.

Performance and Scalability

Premiere Pro is optimized for high-performance editing and can handle large projects with ease. It takes full advantage of your computer’s hardware, including the GPU, to ensure smooth playback and real-time editing. Premiere Pro also supports a wide range of video formats and resolutions, allowing you to work with footage from various sources without compatibility issues.

Comparing CapCut and Premiere Pro

User Experience

CapCut offers a simple and user-friendly interface, very similar to Tiktok internal video editor, perfect for beginners. Its minimalistic design and intuitive controls enable quick and easy editing. On the other hand, Premiere Pro’s more complex interface reflects its extensive feature set. While it may be overwhelming for beginners initially, the learning curve can be rewarding for those seeking professional-grade editing capabilities.

Editing Tools and Effects

CapCut provides a solid set of editing tools and effects suitable for basic to intermediate editing needs. It offers filters, transitions, text overlays, and various effects to enhance your videos. In contrast, Premiere Pro goes above and beyond with its extensive collection of tools and effects. From advanced color correction to audio mixing and advanced masking, Premiere Pro offers full control over your editing process.

Performance and Rendering

CapCut, designed for mobile devices, offers decent performance considering its platform limitations. However, Premiere Pro, which leverages the processing power and resources available on desktop computers, delivers superior performance and faster rendering times.

Learning Curve

CapCut’s simplicity makes it easy to learn and navigate. Its straightforward approach allows beginners to grasp the basics of video editing quickly. Premiere Pro, being a professional-grade software, has a steeper learning curve. It requires time and dedication to master its extensive features and functionality. However, the investment in learning Premiere Pro can open doors to more advanced editing opportunities.

FAQs about CapCut vs Adobe Premiere Pro

Is CapCut completely free to use?

Yes, CapCut is available as a free app for both Android and iOS devices. However, it may offer some in-app purchases or additional features that require a subscription.

Is CapCut available for Windows PC?

Yes, CapCut is available as a free app for Windows PC, you can download it from the capcut website. However, it may offer some in-app purchases or additional features that require a subscription.

Can I use Premiere Pro on my mobile device?

No, Premiere Pro is not available for mobile devices. It is a desktop application compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems.

Can I export videos in high-quality formats with CapCut?

Yes, CapCut allows you to export videos in high-quality formats, including HD and 4K, depending on your device’s capabilities.

Does Premiere Pro require a powerful computer to run smoothly?

While Premiere Pro benefits from a powerful computer configuration, it can also run on lower-end systems with certain limitations. For optimal performance and handling large projects, a robust computer is recommended.

Can I use CapCut for professional video editing projects?

CapCut can be used for basic to intermediate professional video editing projects. However, its feature set may not meet the advanced requirements of complex productions, where Premiere Pro shines.

Conclusion: Adobe Premiere Pro vs CapCut

Choosing between CapCut and Premiere Pro boils down to your editing requirements and skill level. For beginners or those looking for a simple and cost-effective solution, CapCut offers a user-friendly interface and sufficient tools to enhance your videos. On the other hand, Premiere Pro is a professional-grade software with advanced features, superior performance, and seamless integration with other Adobe applications. It is a go-to choice for professionals and those seeking extensive editing capabilities. Consider your needs, budget, and long-term editing goals to make the right decision.