Pivot Stickfigure Animator review

Sometimes the simplest programs are the most effective, and Pivot Stickfigure Animator is a case in point. It’s a free application that’s quick to install, getting students animating in no time.

The program is based on the principles of frame-by-frame animation, using stick figures to show how it works. The software comes with a range of pre-designed stick figures, covering everything from people to horses and elephants, and students can easily create their own using the Stickfigure Builder too.

Figures are constructed from lines and circles, and each line and circle has a number of pivot points for connecting other lines and circles. These figures can be imported into the scene ready for animation or shared with classmates for use in other projects. Colours can be customised, and you can import custom backgrounds, so there’s no reason to end up with only black-and-white scenes. In fact, there’s plenty of scope for students looking to expand their projects further.

Recording involves the standard process commonly found in most 2D and stop-motion packages: simply move the lines and circles that comprise the various limbs and body parts of your stick figures, capture a keyframe, and move on to the next. Animations can be saved in their native format for editing later, or exported as an animated GIF to use on web pages – or edit in another package.

There are signs that this isn’t a commercial package. The interface is dull; some colour would lend it clarity and more appeal to younger users. The feature set is limited, but then this isn’t a package for professional-quality animation.

Instead, the almost self-explanatory workings and minimal icons mean that anyone can use Stickfigure Animator and create something cool and interesting. Plus, with a little imagination, both students and educators can produce more complex work, while having plenty of fun along the way.