Pivot Animator is a downloadable application with quite a long history in the world of computer programs. Its creator is Peter Bone, who in 2003, began to work on a project to improve the creation of 2D animation. However, Peter stopped the work for some time only to return a few years ago. Since that time he continues to develop subsequent versions of the program.
How to Download Pivot Animator
To download the program, click on the Download button below. The application is available for free download and according to the information on the program’s FAQ page, you can use it free of charge also for commercial purposes.
The Program Review
Pivot Animator greatly facilitates the daily routines of many people who worked on creating simple graphics. In this program, animations are created with the help of stick figures that perform specifically designed movements.
Initially, the number of stick man you could use was limited, but with the emerging new versions of the program, more and more restrictions were removed, and the focus was on improving the greatest number of errors.
How does Pivot Animator Work?
As a user working with the program you handle objects that can be imported or created independently in the already built editor. In one of the newer versions of the program, a component to load sprites (simple animated objects) was introduced.
The gist of working with Pivot Animator is that as a maker of an animation you create it from single frames, then combine them into the entire sequence, sometimes achieving spectacular results.
This program has become an obligatory download when it comes to learning to create animations. It is not uncommon for graphic designers to get their feet wet in Pivot Animator first and then learn to become masters in their craft. Thanks to the very simple animation mechanics in the program you do not need to have too much knowledge or skills to start creating your own works of art. It is enough to have a desire to do so.
Quite often a result of a longer work with Pivot can be very interesting animations that make up a whole story. Special effects, elements of the environment, or various types of particles – all of these can be a part of an animation.
The Pivot Animator community is quite active, creating guides, which you can read to hone your skills. The effects of the work can be seen on various types of websites, for example on YouTube, as it is possible to export the animation to an AVI file.
The program is simple and this is the underlying idea behind its design, however, the subsequent versions, usually had a couple of new features added that improved the quality of work and gave new possibilities. The version marked with number 2 (also available for download from the manufacturer’s website), in addition to limiting the number of the used stickmen, also introduced the ability to create your own figures, or design backgrounds, which could then be used in the animation.
The previously mentioned possibility of importing an image appeared in version number 3. Such an image could then be used as a sprite. The next version was a great return to work on Pivot. Among the many amendments, we should name the possibility of exporting animation to AVI, or an improved export to the GIF format. Another added feature was copying many frames and the possibility of additional operations on the shapes.
Pivot Animator is a great software for people who want to play with animation and enjoy it. The community which has formed around the program actively suggests news features that perhaps can be expected in the new versions.
Other Software
Other programs for graphics enthusiasts can be found in our photo editors category.
System Requirements & Key Features
Compatibility & Requirements: Runs on Windows (Windows 98 through Windows 11), ~15 MB disk space, 512 MB+ RAM, standard x86/x64 Windows graphics. You can also explore our full guide and specs for Total Commander 11.58.1.
Using Segment Bends, Inbetweening, and Virtual Camera
Pivot Animator 5 expands classic straight lines with bendable curved segments, automatic frame inbetweening, and smooth camera zoom/pan paths.
Sharing Frame Sequences and Pairing Video Editors
Creators export lossless PNG strips or MP4 clips at custom frame rates and polish sound effects inside free graphics and video software on MadDownload. For related workflows, compare NEF To JPG Converter and ImageJ 1.54 in our Windows catalog.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pivot Animator 5 free and safe to install on Windows 11?
Yes – as of November 2026, Peter Bone’s Pivot Animator 5.2.5 remains free for Windows PCs, adding inbetween frame tweening, virtual camera pans, multi-colored stick figures, and transparent PNG/MP4 exports; just grab the official installer and decline any optional bundled offers during setup.
What software can you graduate to after learning 2D keyframing in Pivot Animator?
Animators ready to move from 2D stick-figure rigging into full 2D Grease Pencil or 3D character animation transition smoothly to Blender.
