10 reasons Blender is the ultimate free tool for 3D motion graphics

Blender is often a go-to choice for 3D design and animation. While you can do more with Blender, such as

create 3D models to print using 3D printers
, it is ultimately the best 3D motion graphics tool. There are

many animation alternatives
you can choose from, but comparing them to Blender will solidify your decision to install this free motion graphics tool over the others.

10

It’s open-source

Throw your security concerns away

Open-source software is a game-changer when it comes to what apps you choose to use. Whether you want more control over the input of the tool, more privacy for your documents or actions, or you don’t want to feed into corporate greed by paying pricey subscription fees, Blender’s open-source nature is one of the best reasons to use it over other 3D animation tools.

Due to the open-source nature of Blender, it’s also free-to-use software. While you have the option to donate as a one-off or a monthly donation to the cause, there’s no requirement to do so. So, as long as Blender reminds open-source, it shall remain free to all.

9

Non-destructive workflow

Save frustration and time

Blender’s non-destructive workflow is helpful to both novice and experienced 3D animators. Working non-destructively allows you to make mistakes, change your mind, or experiment with more success. To work non-destructively is to work on a mesh that doesn’t get destroyed with each edit or change you apply to it. The base bounces back to its original form, no matter how many changes you add to it. Although non-destructive work is the better option, not all software offers it.

8

Diverse platform availability

Use Blender from desktop or tablets

Source: Blender

Most open-source tools are difficult to use on any non-desktop platforms. Although they’re typically great for use on standard platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux, you’ll rarely find open-source software built for tablets like the iPad or Android devices.

Blender can be used from tablets as well as desktops by screen mirroring or using third-party apps. This means you can benefit from using styluses for more precision and ergonomic, natural movements when creating animation paths.

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Make 2D animations in a 3D space

Grease Pencil is a tool found within Blender that’s made to let you draw within the 3D project. It can be used to draw 2D animations within a 3D environment, but you can also use it for cut-out animation, motion graphics, or as a storyboarding tool within other tools.

This helpful tool lets you combine 2D and 3D visuals in one place, plus it has onion skinning capabilities for layered animation results. Grease Pencil uses points, edit lines, and strokes to give you the ability to change animation results in Blender.

If using Blender on a tablet, the Grease Pencil function also recognizes pressure and sensitivity input from your stylus.

6

Drivers and scripts

Use code to control Blender functions

Since Blender is an open-source tool, you can also edit the software with some coding knowledge. Python users can edit the drivers and scripts to customize how Blender can work for you.

Drivers offer ways you can control Blender through mathematical expressions or functions, with either a driver configuration or an F-curve animation. Using drivers, you can set the value of a property to be the value of a different one, setting a chain reaction for certain events to occur.

For scripted expressions, Python is typically used. But for simple versions of scripted expressions (or simple expressions), Python isn’t required.

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5

Huge number of add-ons

Blender is already great, but add-ons improve it even further

As with many great video-editing tools, plugins improve them even further. While there are countless

plugins for DaVinci Resolve video software
, there are also many to use in Blender — although they’re known as add-ons instead. Some Blender add-ons are free, while some third-party add-ons are premium and need to be bought to install.

With Blender add-ons and extensions, you can add textures, create 3D assets in various states, speed up your workflows, and so much more. Here’s a small sample

selection of Blender add-ons
available:

Control speed and actions with keyframes

Source: Blender

In most animation software or video-editing software, you’ll use keyframes to set animation motions to begin, end, or transition. Keyframes are commonly used in Adobe After Effects as the entire crux of animating anything there.

Similarly, in Blender, you’ll have keyframes to control your animations too. Although Blender also offers non-linear animation for more control, being able to use keyframes is standard practice and expected among all types of animation or video editing software.

3

Motion path animation

Animate along a path

Source: Blender

Animating on a path allows you to have more control over how or where your animated object moves across the scene or environment. You can animate on a path in content creation software like Canva, but being able to do it in more complex tools like Blender really adds more depth to your projects.

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Motion path animation in Blender allows you to visualize the track that your animation will take. It uses white dots to show the intended path and route through your environment.

Motion path animations can be set to both object origins and bone joints within Blender. Only actions set to the path you create will be affected by your motion path animation. There are over ten types of motion path types you can set, including Around Frame, Step, Start/End, and Calculate/Update.

2

Non-linear animation

NLA works for independent movements

Non-linear animation (NLA) is a different way of animating within software, compared to more traditional linear animation found in software like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Using NLA, you can animate individual components of your animated objects, such as eye direction of a character, rather than needing to animate the entire character at once. This allows you to repurpose animated actions without needing to use keyframes — although keyframes are an important aspect of animation, too.

NLA allows you to offset and repeat animations, as well as increase or decrease the speed of animated values. You can add sequences to your animations, while layering, blending, or overlaying animated aspects together to form multifaceted results.

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1

Object constraints for individual property values

Better control for animating individual elements

Source: Blender

Constraints in Blender allow you to add sophistication or complexity to a rig — or the bone and joints of your Blender project. Constraints let you add flair and form to your projects in different ways. There are different types of constraints which fall into four categories:

• Motion Tracking
• Transform
• Tracking
• Relationship

You can add new constraints or copy previously added ones onto new elements in your rig. Adding too many constraints can quickly complicate your animation though. To remove any constraint, use the Track menu or hit the X for that constraint in its own menu.

Blender is a great 3D animation tool

Despite the fact that Blender is open-source software, it offers professional-level abilities, features, and tools. It’s often a go-to choice for 3D designers and animators, but the price point is an extra bonus for all users. With both keyframes and a non-linear animation setup, there are different ways you can use Blender to create incredible animations. It is non-destructive, which saves a ton of frustration in the learning process as well as in large, complex projects. Blender is the best free motion graphics tool, whether or not you use it for 3D work.

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