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Show HN: SVG Animation Software

https://expressive.app/expressive-animator/
85•msarca•4h ago
Expressive Animator is an SVG vector animation software that helps users create and export animated icons, logos, and illustrations. Users can import SVG, PDF, Adobe Illustrator files, and Figma designs, and animate them using easing controls, motion paths, masking, and other techniques. Expressive Animator also allow users to export their animations in other formats as Lottie, GIF, PNG, and video.

Comments

iddan•2h ago
So awesomeeee I always wanted something like this
msarca•2h ago
Thanks! I'm glad you like it
lukan•2h ago
Is it a bit flash like in the sense, that I can script the whole thing easily?
alejoar•2h ago
Looks really cool. I appreciate all the videos on youtube too!
GlacierFox•2h ago
Is this one of those lifetime purchases where I have to pay again in 5 years when the developers realise they regretted offering a lifetime licence?
jdiff•2h ago
Probably. Isn't Expressive also the people that touted being Open Source til that didn't live up to their unrealistic expectations?
shreddit•2h ago
Their faq states that the license is valid for the current version (v1) and not for any future versions. So all they have to do is increase the version number when money is tight.
msarca•1h ago
We have exactly the same business model as Affinity.
ttd•1h ago
I have no affiliation with this product or company. I'm curious about the options here from a business perspective.

A business has continual costs, which at the minimum may just be the ability to support a single developer's adult life. This app is selling itself once per major version, which judging by some comments here is somewhat unappealing. Many people are justifiably sick of subscription payments. I am also assuming many people would not appreciate e.g. an ad-supported version of something like this app.

So, what does that leave in terms of realistic business options? Are there any examples out there of a software business that succeeds in supporting its own development while helping its customers feel like they are getting their money's worth?

mulitet4•2h ago
Hey, didn't know where else to say this, but your logo breaks on dark mode. Pretty sick software!
msarca•2h ago
Thanks for the heads up! I'll fix it
lovegrenoble•2h ago
Expressive Animator gives you the right to use the current version of the software (v1) in perpetuity and entitles you to receive free updates until version 2 becomes available (no planned release date currently).

So... is it the real lifetime license? What about the next versions?

robofanatic•1h ago
So apparently it’s not your lifetime, it’s the lifetime of the software version. If you never upgrade then it could be your lifetime.
m-p-3•43m ago
It's always the lifetime of the version or the lifetime of the software, never your lifetime.
msarca•1h ago
When version 2 is out, you will have the option to upgrade for a fee or to continue to use version 1 for free for as long as you like.
marcodiego•1h ago
Proprietary and not available for Linux. It is a shame we're still not the target demographic for this niche. I hope free software like synfig keeps improving:https://www.synfig.org/

Edit: the site has a GitHub icon link. When you click it, it falls in a GitHub page that says "no public repositories". Smells like an ugly bait and harms trust.

Edit 2: The site also says: "Create memorable social media content". I read it like attention stealing intrusive animations.

One more thing: the displayed animation https://expressive.app/assets/animator/landing/motion.svg looks a lot like the "graphics design is my passion" meme: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQbRASL...

hdsese•1h ago
It’s a shame but you also have to be realistic. People have to make a living.
marcodiego•1h ago
You know, a "made with" blender film just won an Oscar. I bet Blender devs also have to make a living and I doubt they work for free.
dksisudh•1h ago
Got to be realistic. That was one piece of software and it took decades and a team and plenty of free labor to get to where it is. People have to eat daily.
marcodiego•1h ago
FLOSS devs do eat daily. It's not developed by fasting people.
codetrotter•1h ago
Blender is amazing and I love it. That doesn’t mean that replicating their success is an easy feat or for everyone.

If it was easy to get the required funding, wouldn’t Synfig be in a position to rake in funds and hire people to improve Synfig?

kaonwarb•56m ago
I find it interesting when folks criticize software for not being free / open source. There's nothing stopping you from creating the FOSS you are disappointed someone else didn't create - or from investing your own time into improving an existing project. I don't think we need to criticize someone else's choice to go a different path.
nyrulez•21m ago
Damn. Didn't expect so much bitterness this morning. What a strange set of "demands" for a pretty decent piece of kit.
storus•1h ago
Cool! How does it differ from Animatron that had SVG animations for ~10 years already?
astro1138•58m ago
There's a Github link but there are no repos. How do I package this for my favourite Linux distro?
msarca•55m ago
You can't, we don't support Linux, but someone here suggested Synfig as an alternative.
mortsnort•31m ago
This looks like a great product filling a gap in the marketplace. You mention a Affinity a lot in these comments, but not in your marketing. If people who like the Affinity model is your target consumer, maybe you should mention compatibility on the site. Affinity also offers a free trial, and perhaps you should too since you don't have a reputation. This product is also about the same price as an Affinity product, which feels too expensive.
msarca•26m ago
Thanks for your suggestion! We provide a free trial https://expressive.app/expressive-animator/download/

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