80 Open Source Replacements for Audio-Video Tools

Multimedia creation and consumption continue to be among the most common uses for PCs and mobile devices. Consider: According to recent research from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 46 percent of U.S. Internet users have posted original videos or photos online. Seventy-one percent of online Americans have used a video sharing site like YouTube or Vimeo.

Recording industry trade association IFPI reports that more than half of record company revenues from the U.S. come from digital music, and those digital music revenues continue to grow every year. Global Industry Analysts forecasts that mobile entertainment, including video and music, will be a $67.6 billion industry by 2018.

In light of the massive amounts of time and money computer users spend creating and consuming multimedia content, we've updated our list of open source replacements for popular audio and video tools. While some commercial audio and video software can cost hundreds of dollars, open source software often offers very similar--or even better--capabilities for free.

Before we get to the list, it's worth noting that when we highlight an application as a "replacement" for another program, we aren't saying that they necessarily have all of the same features. Instead, we're saying that the two applications perform similar kinds of tasks, and if you're considering a closed-source option in one of these categories, you might also want to consider the open source alternatives we've listed.

As always, if you'd like to call our attention to other noteworthy open source software, please do so in the comments section below.

Animation

1. Blender
Replaces: AutoDesk Maya
This professional-caliber 3D content creation suite includes tools for modeling, shading, animation, rendering and compositing. Check out the gallery of movies, videos and stills on this site. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

2. Art of Illusion
Replaces: AutoDesk Maya
While not as full-featured as Blender or Maya, Art of Illusion offers basic 3D modeling and editing tools for amateur hobbyists. The interface is intuitive, and a number of tutorials are available. Operating System: OS Independent.

3. K-3D
Replaces: AutoDesk Maya
Another tool that's best suited for hobbyists, K-3D claims it "excels at polygonal modeling." Like Blender, K-3D also offers a gallery of still and animated art. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

4. Pencil
Replaces: ToonBoom Software
If you'd like to try your hand at old-school hand-drawn animation, give Pencil a try. It offers an easy-to-use interface, and it supports both bitmap and vector graphics. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

5. Synfig Studio
Replaces: ToonBoom Software
This 2D animation tool aims to make it possible to create professional-quality animation with fewer people and resources. It supports both vector and bitmap artwork. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

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