Easy Cartoon Creation with Canva | How to Create Animated Videos for Free

Introduction

Welcome to my tutorial on creating simple cartoon animations using Canva, completely for free! In this article, I'll guide you step-by-step through the process of making animated videos suitable for your website, social media, YouTube, or any business explainer video you may have in mind.

Getting Started with Canva

First, you’ll need to sign up for a Canva account. You can do this with a free account, and if you don’t have one yet, you can use the link in the description to get started. Once signed in, navigate to the “Create a design” option, type in "video," and select the standard size video, which is 1920 x 1080.

Setting Up Your Background

To create an engaging animated video, you’ll want to start with a background. You have several options here:

  1. Search for Backgrounds: Click on the “Background” section or use “Elements” to search for backgrounds. Type in "city" or "street" to find cartoon-style backgrounds.
  2. Upload Your Own: If you have a specific look in mind, you can also upload your own images. For instance, I created a background image of a rainy street using AI.

Simply click and drag your chosen background to resize and fit it into the frame.

Adding Animated Characters

Next up is adding an animated character. Go to "Elements" and clear your previous search. Type in “walking," and make sure to select the animated option by clicking on the settings icon. You can filter for free options if you are using a free account.

Once you find a suitable animated character, like a woman walking with an umbrella, click to add her to your video. You can reposition her on the canvas as desired.

Animating Your Character

To make her walk across the screen, click on “Animate.” Here, you’ll see a variety of preset animations. For custom animations, click on “Tools,” then “Create an animation.”

  • Adjusting Paths: To ensure a smooth transition, hold down the Shift key while dragging the character to create a straight line.
  • Movement Styles: Choose between smooth or steady movement styles and adjust the animation speed to your preference.

Length of Video Clip

After animating, you can adjust the length of your clip by dragging the edges of your video segment. If you want the character to walk slower, you'll need to adjust the animation settings accordingly.

Creating Additional Scenes

To add another scene, click “ADD page.” You can choose a new background or duplicate the existing page. For this scene, consider using a different style of animation. For instance, have the background move instead of the character, giving the illusion of walking.

When animating backgrounds, make sure they aren't set as the main background layer so you can position and move them freely.

Using the Match and Move Tool

You can create smooth transitions between pages. Duplicate a scene, reposition your animated character, and apply the “Match and Move” transition. This allows for seamless animation when the character moves from one position to another.

Adding Text Animations

Text is vital in animated videos. You can add animated text by:

  1. Using Match and Move: Duplicate your text and position it differently on the next scene, applying a match and move transition.
  2. Animation Effects: For the second scene, add a new text box and apply animation effects such as typewriter or bounce effects for a creative touch.

Enhancing with Music

To add music, browse the audio library in Canva. Filter by free tracks if necessary, preview any track, and simply click to add it to your video. Adjust its position to sync with your video and consider applying fade in/out effects for a smooth listening experience.

Exporting Your Work

When your video is complete, click “Share” followed by “Download.” Ensure you select "MP4 video" and then download. This video is now ready for upload to your desired platform, be it YouTube, social media, or your website.

Conclusion

Creating cartoon animations with Canva can be a fun and rewarding process. With simple tools and techniques, you can develop engaging animated content for various applications. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out in the comments!

Keywords

Canva, cartoon animations, animated videos, video creation, free account, background, animated character, match and move transition, text animations, audio integration.

FAQ

Q: Do I need a paid account to create animations in Canva?
A: No, you can create animations with a free Canva account, although some features may be limited.

Q: Can I use my images for backgrounds?
A: Yes, you can upload your own images to use as backgrounds for your animations.

Q: Is it possible to adjust the speed of animations?
A: Yes, you can customize the speed of animations using the animation settings.

Q: Can I add music to my animated videos?
A: Absolutely! Canva has an audio library where you can choose and add free music tracks.

Q: What formats can I export my videos in?
A: You can export your videos in MP4 format, which is suitable for most platforms.