What is Cascadeur?

Cascadeur is an innovative animation software designed specifically for animators, game developers, and content creators who seek to bring their characters and scenes to life with ease and precision. Developed by Nekki, Cascadeur offers a unique blend of physics-based tools and advanced rigging capabilities, allowing users to create high-quality animations efficiently. The software is built around the concept of simplifying the animation process while providing powerful tools that cater to both beginners and professionals in the field.

Features

Cascadeur is packed with a variety of features that enhance the animation workflow. Below are some of the key features that make it stand out:

Complete Animation Toolset

• Rigging Tools: Cascadeur provides robust rigging tools that allow users to create complex character rigs easily. This helps in achieving realistic movements and poses.
• AutoPosing: This feature enables users to automatically generate poses for characters, including detailed finger poses, which saves time and effort during the animation process.

Physics-Based Tools

• Physics Simulation: Cascadeur incorporates physics-based simulation tools that enable animators to create realistic movements affected by gravity and other physical forces.
• Animation Unbaking: Users can unbake animations for motion capture (mocap) and asset editing, providing greater flexibility in refining animations.

Export Options

• Multiple Formats: Depending on the subscription plan, users can export animations in various formats, including .casc, .fbx, .dae, and .usd, making it compatible with other software and game engines.

Scene Linking Tool

• Environment Interaction: The Scene Linking Tool allows users to link animations with their environments, enhancing the realism of the animation by ensuring characters interact appropriately with their surroundings.

Dedicated Support

• Priority Support: Higher-tier subscription plans offer dedicated chat support and onboarding assistance, ensuring that users have the help they need to maximize their use of the software.

Animation Retargeting

• Humanoid Animation: Cascadeur Pro includes animation retargeting features, allowing users to transfer animations from one character model to another, especially for humanoid characters.

Community and Learning Resources

• Tutorials and Documentation: Cascadeur provides a wealth of learning resources, including video lessons, documentation, and community support through platforms like Discord, helping users to improve their skills and troubleshoot issues.

Use Cases

Cascadeur is versatile and can be used across various domains, including:

Game Development

• Character Animation: Game developers can use Cascadeur to create lifelike character animations that enhance gameplay experiences.
• Cutscene Creation: The software can be utilized to animate cutscenes within games, providing a cinematic quality to storytelling.

Film and Animation

• Short Films and Features: Animators working on short films or feature-length animations can leverage Cascadeur’s tools to create high-quality animations quickly.
• Pre-visualization: Filmmakers can use Cascadeur for pre-visualization, allowing them to plan and visualize scenes before actual production.

Education

• Teaching Animation: Schools and educators can use Cascadeur as a teaching tool for students learning animation principles and techniques.
• Student Projects: Students can create animations for projects, benefiting from the software’s intuitive interface and comprehensive features.

Indie Development

• Hobbyist Projects: Indie developers and hobbyists can take advantage of the affordable pricing plans to create animations for their personal projects without breaking the bank.
• Collaborative Projects: Small teams can collaborate effectively using the team features that Cascadeur offers, ensuring smooth communication and project management.

Pricing

Cascadeur offers a tiered pricing structure that caters to different users, from individuals to teams. Below is a breakdown of the available subscription plans:

Free Plan

• Cost: $0
• Best For: Individuals who want to try the software.
• Features:
  • Complete animation toolset
  • Rigging tools
  • Physics-based tools
  • Animation unbaking
  • Export to .casc format only (non-commercial use)

Indie Plan

• Cost: $8 per month (billed annually)
• Best For: Hobbyists and small teams with limited revenue.
• Features:
  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Export to .fbx and .dae formats
  • Priority support
  • Revenue cap of $100k per year

Pro Plan

• Cost: $33 per month (billed annually)
• Best For: Professionals and small teams (1 to 3 seats).
• Features:
  • Everything in the Indie plan
  • Unlimited commercial use
  • Dedicated chat support
  • Animation retargeting (humanoid)
  • Interaction with the environment
  • Scene linking tool

Teams Plan

• Cost: $33 per user per month (billed annually)
• Best For: Larger teams (4-6 seats).
• Features:
  • Everything in the Pro plan
  • Dedicated chat in Discord
  • 30-minute onboarding call

Each plan offers a transition to a perpetual license after one year, making it a cost-effective solution for users who wish to own the software long-term.

Comparison with Other Tools

When comparing Cascadeur to other animation tools in the market, several unique selling points emerge:

Ease of Use

Cascadeur is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it accessible for beginners while still offering advanced features for professionals. This contrasts with some other tools that may have a steeper learning curve.

Physics Integration

The physics-based tools in Cascadeur provide a level of realism that many competitors may lack. This feature is particularly beneficial for animators looking to create dynamic and believable animations.

Affordable Pricing

With a free plan and competitive pricing for the Indie and Pro plans, Cascadeur offers excellent value for money compared to other animation software that may charge significantly higher rates for similar features.

Community Support

The active community and extensive learning resources available for Cascadeur users create an ecosystem that supports continuous learning and improvement, a feature that may not be as prominent in other tools.

Flexible Export Options

Cascadeur's ability to export in multiple formats across different subscription levels allows users to integrate their animations seamlessly into various workflows, unlike some tools that may restrict exports to a single format.

FAQ

What subscription plans are available?

Cascadeur offers four subscription plans: Free, Indie, Pro, and Teams, each with varying features and pricing.

How much does each plan cost?

• Free: $0
• Indie: $8 per month (billed annually)
• Pro: $33 per month (billed annually)
• Teams: $33 per user per month (billed annually)

Can I export animations in all formats with any subscription?

No, the Free plan only allows export to .casc format. The Indie plan allows exports to .fbx and .dae formats, while the Pro and Teams plans offer exports to multiple formats, including .usd.

Is dedicated support available for all subscription plans?

Dedicated support is available for the Pro and Teams plans, while Indie users receive priority support.

Are there any restrictions on commercial use?

Yes, the Free and Indie plans have restrictions on commercial use, with the Indie plan limited to revenues of less than $100k per year.

What unique features do Pro and Teams plans offer?

Pro and Teams plans offer features like animation retargeting, interaction with the environment, scene linking tools, and dedicated chat support.

Can I install Cascadeur in an offline environment?

Cascadeur typically requires an internet connection for certain features and updates, but installation may be possible in an offline environment.

What are the system requirements for Cascadeur?

Cascadeur has specific system requirements for Windows, Linux, and MacOS, which can be found in the software documentation.

In conclusion, Cascadeur is a powerful animation tool that combines ease of use with advanced features tailored for various users, from hobbyists to professionals. Its unique selling points, including physics integration, flexible export options, and an active community, make it a compelling choice for anyone looking to create high-quality animations.