After more than 25 years in the animation space, Adobe has confirmed it will discontinue Adobe Animate, marking the end of one of its most recognised 2D animation tools. The company said it is moving away from the software as newer platforms emerge that better meet current user needs.
Adobe will stop selling Adobe Animate on March 1. Users will be able to access and download their Animate files until March 1, 2027. For enterprise customers, this access period will extend until March 1, 2029. After these dates, files stored in Animate will no longer be available. Users who have already downloaded the software will still be able to use it.
Adobe Animate has a long history in digital animation. The software was first launched in 1996 by FutureWave Software under the name FutureSplash Animator. It was acquired later that year by Macromedia and renamed Flash. In 2005, Adobe acquired the company and rebranded the application as Adobe Flash Professional. As part of the industry-wide move away from Flash technology, the software was renamed Adobe Animate in 2015.
Despite this transition, the decision to discontinue Animate has disappointed many long-time users. Several users have expressed concern over the lack of direct alternatives that fully match Animate’s capabilities. Some have also suggested that the company should open-source the software instead of discontinuing it.
The move comes as Adobe increases its focus on artificial intelligence. This shift signals a broader change in the company’s product strategy toward more AI-driven tools.
Explaining the decision, Adobe said in an FAQ, “Animate has been a product that has existed for over 25 years and has served its purpose well for creating, nurturing, and developing the animation ecosystem.” The company added that as technologies evolve, new platforms emerge that better serve user needs.
As partial replacements, the company has recommended Creative Cloud Pro customers use other tools within its ecosystem. These include Adobe After Effects for complex keyframe animation and Adobe Express for animation effects on photos, videos, text, shapes, and other design elements.
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