When you’re in charge of your own website, there still often seems like a big gap between the quality of a website you create yourself and one that costs the big bucks to get made. However, that gap continues to get smaller with new innovations. One of the newest tools are Lotties - high quality animations and interactive tools that are easy to use and small in bandwidth. Read on to learn the best tools and apps to make your own.
Bodymovin 
The first tool on my list is the Bodymovin plugin. It’s an After Effects extension and will allow you to export JSON or even PNG files from your compositions. It supports exporting files with different shapes, effects, and all general fonts. What's more important is their team is constantly working to improve the features. So you'll get access to export even more Lottie animations via this plugin.
You can play those exported files on your browser through Bodymovin as well as on iOS and Android so you’ve got the option to use them wherever you want including your website, email outreach, app pages, etc.
There are two places where you can install the Bodymovin plugin. The first is GitHub, which offers a free download. But I’d advise you to get the plugin at aescripts.com. You'll be asked for $20, but in return you'll have a plugin that works without bugs and is automatically updated to the latest version.
Generally, if you’re looking for some great stuff that will help you on exporting Lottie animations from After Effects, then Bodymovin is the first choice you should consider.
2. LottieFiles
Another extension to export Lottie files from After Effects is the LottieFiles plugin. Overall, this plugin has all the same features offered by Bodymovin, but it also offers an instant mobile and desktop preview directly within After Effects.
Aside from the JSON format, you can also export your compositions as Telegram Stickers (known as the TGS file format). You can also download the test and preview plugin from here, Google Play, and the App Store.
Besides being an After Effects extension, Lottiefiles.com is a large open-source server where users can find free Lottie animations, as well as some for purchase. For creators, this platform has something to offer as well. You can submit your finished animations to their platform and get paid each time your work is downloaded!
3. Flow 
This software is created specifically for UX designers who aren’t experts in animation but with this tool, will still be able to create their own animations. Since this tool is developed specifically for designers, it's much easier to navigate through it and a couple of tutorials will be enough to jump right into the editing process.
The coolest thing about Flow is the fact that users are able to extract their compositions already coded as Lottie files in just a few clicks. In conclusion: if you're a UX designer and want to create your own Lottie animations the simplest solution for you is Flow. Paid plans that include exporting coded Lottie animations start from $199 and are available for purchase here.
4. Synfig 
For those who create their animations via Synfig software, there is good news, as they have announced a new extension that also helps creators export Lottie animations directly from the software.
At the moment, the plugin is under development and doesn’t promise to support uploading all the graphic elements, but for major graphic elements, the extension will soon be available for its users. This page will give you a full list of supported settings. As Synfig is a free open source platform for its users, you'll get the same free access to the extension too.
5. Framer 
Framer is an online platform built for those who love designing but not coding. Here, they’ll have access to different layouts, smart components, animations, etc.
For Lottie animations, Framer has developed something cool too. With drag-and-drop actions, creators can add Lottie animations to their projects. What's more important is that once the Lottie animation is attached to the project, creators will be able to add changes to it. Things like controlling speed, direction, and even loop settings can be easily added just in a few clicks.
If you're a designer and want to add Lottie animations to your projects without having to code and do a few simple manipulations with those Lottie animations, then the Framer platform is worth taking into consideration.
6. Protopie 
Protopie is a designing tool that helps creators turn their digital products into more interactive spaces. Using this tool, you can include Lottie animations to your projects and have them organically played in them without downloading any third-party plugins.
If you're creating prototypes with Protopie, make sure to check this new feature for Lottie animations to make your projects even more interactive.
7. Keyshape 
Keyshape is another 2D animation software that has an extension for importing and exporting Lottie animations. All the Lottie animations here are exported to a single JSON file and contain few limitations. As for importing Lottie animations, there are way more limitations, as the plugin is not supporting more saturated compositions. But it’s definitely worth a look since it is totally free and available to download at Github.
8. Haiku 
Adobe After Effects is, of course, the industry standard for creating motion graphics. But for Lottie animations that require less saturated graphic elements, you don't need to learn such complex software.
One of the alternatives for Lottie animations is Haiku Animator. It has fewer features than AE, but for things like Lotties, Haiku will be enough to get your work done.
This Software is easier to navigate through and keeps everything right at your fingertips. There’s no need to download extra plugins to extract Lottie animations, everything can be controlled right from one place.
9. Creattie
If you're one of those people who don't want to waste time and get deep into complex creation processes, Creattie could be a perfect solution. This platform offers a completely new experience for designers and non-designers alike. Here you can explore many different Lottie animations for every industry. Creattie offers full packs of high-quality Lotties with outstanding design.
And the most amazing thing about this platform is that you can order custom Lottie animations tailored to your specific design needs. The highly skilled motion artists and illustrators on the team will take any design you can think of to the next level.
Made specifically for those who want Lottie animations to fit their branding and look more professional, Creattie could be the best solution so far.
Final Words -
Hopefully this article has helped you find the best tools out there for creating your own Lotties. And if you’re looking for premium Lottie animations, make sure to explore everything Creattie has to offer!
