: The October 2023 update (version 24.0) boasted up to 2x faster application launch and publishing times, alongside up to 3x faster timeline playback . It also introduced a sleek, customizable UI with dark and light color themes.
If you are a current subscriber, the performance boost alone makes the update essential. If you are a legacy user holding onto old files, the AS3 conversion tools make this the perfect time to modernize your portfolio.
A Skeptical 2D Animator Turned Believer
Use automatic bezier handles on bones to guide the curve of your art precisely.
, Flexi Bones allow for more precise drawing and deformation of character rigs. Reviewers highlighted that these offer more "realistic" movement between keyframes by letting you define sections as Hard, Soft, or Flexi. Rig Edit Mode
Use a grid of customizable control points to pull, push, and twist specific areas of an asset.
Adobe Animate 2023 (v23.0) focused heavily on enhancing character rigging through significant updates to the . In late 2023, Adobe transitioned the software into a "maintenance mode," meaning it will receive security and bug fixes but no major new features moving forward. Key Features of Adobe Animate 2023 (v23.0)
Previously, animators using the Asset Warp tool had two bone options: , which created rigid, linear joints perfect for mechanical movements or robotic characters, and Soft Bones , which offered more organic, curved deformations. Animate 2023 adds a third option: Flexi Bones —a new type of bone that provides the greatest amount of control for modern rigging workflows.