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I need a [free] animation program that can take a few 5-10 frame looping animations and mask each one with a moving vector and layer them. Any OS, preferably Windows XP. Any ideas?
Basically, I need something for weather forecasts for our student-run TV station; I figure I can make a layer of clouds, a layer of rain, a layer of snowflakes, all at 50% opacity or so over a base image and then just animate a mask on them or animate an outline for them.

edit: Samples of what we want

What are you using for video editing?
What are you using for graphics?
How are you mixing this with cameras?

GIMP is a graphics editor for Windows and Linux.
Paintshop Pro might be free for older versions included
in a book at local bookstore. (Windows)
Put the precip animations on their own layers.
(I assume you can make a full screen of each type)
Put the map as a layer.
Create a mask layer.
Turn off ALL the precip layers.
Save this a default project.
--------------------------------------------------------
Each morning load this project.
Turn on the layer you need, such as snow layer.
Switch on the mask layer.
Paint the shape with the airbrush. The precip layer
should show through. May not be animated at this time.
Save your file as a format that supports animation such as
gif.

The output image will be pushed through a computer system and sent downstream to be keyed in behind the weather talent during standup.
Still image manipulation programs are unacceptable as they will be used by the non-technical weather folks.

http://www.blender3d.org -- 3d modelling software (u can make animations)

http://www.jahshaka.org -- video editing software

all open source... ofcourse...


- Asim

EDIT Removed spam search word

2D use a paint program. 3D use blender. There are two books about blender that are really
helpful and have example discs included.

"Introducing Character Animation with Blender" by Tony Mullen
"Essential Blender" by Roland Hess

You can composite your background in a video editor and chromakey, but I like placing a plane
just behind the character and using a UV projection texture. You get Depth of Field without too much
hassle.

This is an old post, so find a blender forum for more help.

Judging by the signature of evgenia that was just a spam comment with no intention of getting any help.