Toon Boom vs Flash

The Biggest debates I had in University, is which software is better to use for animation? In my final year studying animation I needed to stick with one software to produce my final

piece.

I liked flash because it was simple and easy to use, but I didn't want my animation to look like the typical flash animations you see everywhere. Both pieces of software have there strengths, but after researching and testing both I had to go with Toon Boom by a long shot.

• This is my animation which was produced with Toon Boom
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Traditional Animation
  
  If your talent translates best on paper, then Toon Boom Studio is for you. Scan in drawings with no loss of quality using any TWAIN supported device, then use Studio's proven technology to take your illustrations into the digital world! I used this process along with using a wacom tablet to draw directly on screen to save more time. I bought the Wacom Cintiq 12wx which was more than worth the money, especially when it was available to buy on a monthly payment scheme.
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
• Cut-out Animation
  Draw, create or import elements to build characters and store them all in your personal Library, then apply Studio’s powerful transform tool and motion paths to set timing and create movement. Even if you like drawing your animation frame by frame by hand this tool comes in handy when you want to repeat motions.
  
  
  

  
  
• Stop-Motion
  
  Create remarkable stop-motion animation just like Wallace and Gromit using any object you’d like to bring to life. Insert fun backgrounds using Chroma Key, or use time-lapse imagery to generate unique visuals. Add audio and easily export to the web!
  

• 3D Layouts and Camera Movements

• 3D layout and motion paths for animation elements
• Animated elements
• Animation peg System
• Advanced Motion Paths
• Multiplane camera moves and effects
• 3D velocity profiles
• Colour transformation and clipping effects
• Copy frame properties to any key frame
• Improved visualization and manipulation of key frames from the Timeline

• Professional and Cheap

I was shocked to see how many professional well known Tv shows and Films used Toon Boom to produced there work, and that I could be using the same software at home as they do.

 Just look at a few below!

• The Rugrats Movie (1998)
• Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
• Les Triplettes de Belleville (2003)
• The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004) (Spongebob would not look as good in flash!)
• Curious George (2006)
• The Simpsons Movie (2007)
• The Princess and the Frog (2009)

That is just to name a few!

• So which is better? 

Flash is a great program in its own right and is perfect for creating flash animations and online games and short animations but Toon Boom can do 99.9% of the processes that flash can do plus ALOT more. So my choice in purchase was the right move in choosing Toon Boom. You will learn something new with it everyday and the possibilites are endless.

If you are a beginner then I recommend Toon Boom Studio But if you are serious about your work and will be doing this for a long time then definately get your hands on Toon Boom Digital Pro