As the animation industry continues to evolve, automation is becoming a critical ally for 2D animators seeking to keep up with the pace of production without compromising on quality. In 2025, automation tools are not just nice-to-haves — they’re game changers, allowing creators to streamline workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and focus more on creativity and storytelling.
The 2D animation landscape in 2025 is dynamic and demanding. Whether you’re freelancing, working in a studio, or building your own brand, automation can be your best ally.
Here are six automation tools that every 2D animator should master in 2025:
1. Adobe After Effects + Duik Bassel (Rigging & Animation Automation)
Why it matters: Adobe After Effects remains one of the most versatile platforms for motion graphics and 2D animation. Combined with the Duik Bassel plugin, it becomes a powerhouse of automation for character rigging and keyframe animation.
Automation benefits:
- Automates complex rigging with inverse kinematics (IK)
- Pre-built motion controllers save hours of manual adjustments
- Supports walk cycles, facial rigs, and physics-based animations
Use case: Instead of keyframing a character’s arm movement frame-by-frame, animators can rig the arm with Duik, set control points, and automate fluid motion sequences in minutes.
2. Toon Boom Harmony (Smart Tools for Pipeline Integration)
Why it matters: Trusted by major studios, Toon Boom Harmony remains at the forefront of professional 2D animation. Its smart tools for automating inking, coloring, and effects integration help animators manage large-scale projects with ease.
Automation benefits:
- Node-based compositing automates layering and effects
- Auto lip-syncing with built-in sound analysis
- Streamlines multi-artist workflows with scene data sharing
Use case: For episodic content production, Toon Boom Harmony allows an animator to automate character lip-sync and effects sequences, drastically reducing turnaround time.
3. Moho Pro (Smart Bones & Physics Automation)
Why it matters: Moho Pro (formerly Anime Studio) is an underrated gem for automating character movement and physics. Its Smart Bones system enables animators to control complex deformations with minimal keyframes.
Automation benefits:
- Physics engine automates bounce, wind, and collisions
- Smart Actions auto-generate repetitive motion sequences
- Bone rigging simplifies body movement and transformations
Use case: Want your character’s hair to react to movement or wind? Moho’s physics engine automates natural motion without manual keyframing, making it ideal for animating environments and secondary movements.
4. Blender (Grease Pencil + Python Scripting)
Why it matters: Though known for 3D, Blender’s Grease Pencil tool has revolutionized 2D animation. With added support for Python scripting, it enables automation of repetitive tasks and procedural animations.
Automation benefits:
- Batch processing of frames and layers
- Python scripts for customized tool creation
- Automates frame interpolation and effects application
Use case: Automators can write scripts to auto-generate shading layers, export batches of frames, or simulate lighting changes across scenes — all without lifting a stylus.
5. AnimBot (Automation for Maya/2D Workflow)
Why it matters: While originally built for 3D workflows in Maya, AnimBot’s growing integration with 2D workflows and vector-based rigging systems makes it a favorite among hybrid animators. It’s especially helpful for frame management and pose-to-pose automation.
Automation benefits:
- Auto-inbetweens and pose matching
- Frame spacing adjustments with one click
- Streamlines cleanup and retiming
Use case: Working on a frame-heavy sequence with lots of motion breakdowns? AnimBot lets animators generate smooth transitions between key poses, even for 2D skeleton-based rigs.
6. Cavalry (Procedural Animation & Real-Time Preview)
Why it matters: Cavalry is the new kid on the block, bringing real-time procedural animation to 2D workflows. It blends the power of motion graphics with data-driven automation, making it ideal for animators working on fast-paced content.
Automation benefits:
- Procedural workflows for shape animations
- Data bindings to automate motion from audio, JSON, or Excel inputs
- Real-time preview and rendering
Use case: Want to animate hundreds of characters dancing to music or generate motion from spreadsheet data? Cavalry automates this with incredible speed, freeing animators from manual repetition.
Why Automation is No Longer Optional
In 2025, the demand for short-form content, web series, advertising reels, and animated explainer videos has skyrocketed. Production timelines are tighter than ever, and budgets often leave little room for large teams. Automation tools empower solo creators and small studios to compete with larger players by focusing their time on high-impact creative decisions instead of time-consuming technical labor.
Moreover, automation doesn’t mean losing control — it means gaining efficiency. The tools mentioned here allow for creative overrides, meaning animators can still fine-tune elements manually where needed. Think of automation as a co-pilot, not a replacement.
The 2D animation landscape in 2025 is dynamic and demanding. Whether you’re freelancing, working in a studio, or building your own brand, automation can be your best ally. Tools like Duik, Toon Boom Harmony, Moho Pro, Blender, AnimBot, and Cavalry are redefining how 2D animation is created — and those who master them will not only keep up but lead the way.
So, if you’re still keyframing every blink or manually coloring every frame, it’s time to level up. Automation isn’t just the future — it’s the now.
Guest author Priyanshu Singh is a freelance 2D animator and illustrator specializing in character animation, background art, and visual storytelling. Any opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author.
