Discover how Cavalry, a powerful 2D animation tool, is transforming workflows and unleashing creativity for motion designers in this must-listen School of Motion podcast.
If you’re a motion designer or creative pro who’s been stuck wrestling with layers, code, or clunky animation tools, this one’s for you. Cavalry—a powerful new 2D animation app—is flipping the script on how animation gets done. Recently, Joey sat down with Cavalry’s co-founder, Chris Hardcastle, and CTO Ian Waters, to talk about how their software is transforming the game. Spoiler alert: This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their workflow.
Check out the full episode or a quick summary below.
Cavalry: More Than Just Another Animation Tool
So, what’s the deal with Cavalry? It’s a desktop app that simplifies animation by taking all the tedious, technical junk out of the equation. Ian explained how Cavalry was born from his frustration with conventional tools like Maya, which often required tons of manual coding. With Cavalry, you’re freed up to just create—no more wrestling with clunky layers or spending hours scripting. It’s built to be intuitive, and honestly, it’s designed to help you stumble into those happy accidents that make your animations stand out.
From Side Project to Powerhouse
Ian’s story of Cavalry’s origin is one of those “I had to solve a problem, so I made something better” moments. He was working on a music video in Maya, and things got unnecessarily complicated. So, he built some tools to simplify the process. Autodesk took notice and acquired those tools, but Cavalry wasn’t born until Chris and Ian decided to break out on their own. And while they admit they didn’t fully understand what they were getting into (who does when they start something big?), it’s that mix of ambition and naivety that got them where they are now.
A Smarter, More Fun Workflow
The magic of Cavalry is how it changes the way you think about animation. It’s got a node-based, procedural workflow that makes everything more flexible. You’re not just stuck with layers and timelines—Cavalry lets you build connections between elements in a way that feels almost… playful. Chris says, “Anything plugs into anything,” and that freedom makes experimentation a whole lot easier. It’s the kind of tool that doesn’t just help you work faster—it actually makes animation fun again.
Versatility at Its Core
One of the best things about Cavalry is how versatile it is. We’re not just talking motion design—it’s also a beast when it comes to data visualization, character animation, generative art, and even UX design. The software’s built to handle a ton of creative applications, and it seamlessly integrates automation and design data. Need to crank out assets for multiple formats or languages? No problem. Whether you’re animating for clients or just playing around with some new ideas, Cavalry’s got you covered.
Naivety? Actually, a Superpower
Here’s a cool takeaway from the episode: Chris and Ian openly admit that if they had fully understood how complex Cavalry was going to be, they might not have started. But that initial naivety turned out to be a strength. Instead of getting bogged down by all the things that could go wrong, they just went for it. And that’s a huge reason why Cavalry exists today—sometimes, not knowing how hard something will be is the best way to get started.
What’s Next for Cavalry?
Cavalry’s already changing workflows for designers around the world, but they’re not stopping there. Chris and Ian are constantly improving the platform, adding new features like OpenType support and particle systems to make it even more powerful. And the best part? There’s a free version available, so you can dive in and see what all the hype is about without dropping a dime.
If you’re looking for a fresh way to approach motion design and streamline your process, listen to the full episode now and start playing around with Cavalry—you might just find your new favorite tool.
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