Cascadeur
Cascadeur is a standalone 3D keyframe animation software designed for humanoid and other character animations. This tool aims to simplify t...
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What is Cascadeur?
Cascadeur is a standalone 3D software designed for creating keyframe character animation without motion capture. It enables users to create, clean up, and edit animations for humanoid and other characters, including quadrupeds. Thanks to its AI-assisted and physics-based tools, animators can dramatically speed up the animation process while achieving high-quality, realistic results with accurate body mechanics.
Key features include AutoPosing (an AI-powered smart rig that creates natural poses based on user input), AutoPhysics (physics simulation tools for realistic motion), Animation Unbaking (turns baked animation into editable keyframes), Quick Rigging Tool (drag-and-drop joint positioning for automatic rig generation), Copy/Paste Retargeting (transfer animations between humanoid characters with different skeletal structures), Inbetweening tool, Secondary Motion adjustment sliders, Video Mocap integration, and finger controllers with AutoPosing for hand gestures. The software also supports Interaction with Environment, Scene linking, and Autoposing for quadrupeds in the Pro plan.
Cascadeur works with .FBX, .DAE, .USD, and .GLTF files, making it easy to integrate into any animation workflow including Blender, Unreal Engine, Character Creator, Mixamo, Daz3d, and Metahuman. It is available for Windows and Linux desktop systems, requires only medium hardware configuration, and can be used productively on modern laptops. There is also a mobile app version for iOS.
The tool is designed for professional animators, indie game developers, VFX artists, animation students, hobbyists, and studios working on movies, video games, VR experiences, and interactive content. It eliminates needless treadmill work from animation, allowing users to focus on artistry and choreography rather than repetitive tasks.
Cascadeur pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Cascadeur offers four subscription plans: Free (free forever, non-commercial use only, .casc export only, includes complete animation toolset, rigging tools, physics-based tools, inbetweening, animation unbaking), Indie ($19/month or $8/month billed annually, includes FBX/DAE/USD/GLTF export, priority support, revenue must be under $100k/year, turns into perpetual license after 1 year), Pro ($49/month or $33/month billed annually, unlimited commercial use, dedicated chat support, animation retargeting, interaction with environment, scene linking tool, autoposing for quadrupeds, turns into perpetual license after 1 year), and Teams ($49/user/month or $33/user/month billed annually for 2-6 users, includes dedicated Discord chat, centralized user management, role-based permissions). Annual subscriptions save 32%. Academic licenses available for schools/universities. Mobile app features require paid yearly subscription.
Cascadeur pros
- AI-assisted AutoPosing creates natural poses quickly
- AutoPhysics provides realistic motion with minimal animation changes
- Animation Unbaking makes any baked animation editable
- Quick Rigging Tool generates rigs automatically with drag-and-drop
- Copy/Paste Retargeting transfers animation between characters in two clicks
- Supports .FBX, .DAE, .USD, and .GLTF file formats
- Works on Windows and Linux with medium hardware requirements
- Can be used productively on modern laptops
- Inbetweening tool smooths animations automatically
- Secondary Motion sliders add life to idle and action moves
- Video Mocap integration with cleanup tools
- Intelligent finger controllers speed up hand animation
- Free tier available with complete animation toolset
- Annual subscriptions turn into perpetual licenses after 1 year
- Animation retargeting works for any humanoid regardless of skeletal structure
- Interactive environment feature allows wall interactions in AutoPhysics
- Scene linking tool combines multiple scenes for easier work
- Autoposing for quadrupeds available in Pro plan
- Layout customization lets users rearrange interface panels
- Dedicated Discord chat support for Teams plan users
Cascadeur cons
- Free tier only exports to .casc format, no .fbx or .dae export
- Free tier limited to non-commercial use only
- Indie plan requires yearly revenue under $100k
- Monthly Pro does not include autoposing for fingers
- Monthly Indie does not include autoposing feature
- Inbetweening tool not available in Free tier
- Animation retargeting only in Pro and Teams plans
- Interaction with environment only in Pro and Teams plans
- No macOS version available
- Facial rigs and blendshapes not yet implemented
- Dedicated chat support only for Pro and Teams plans
- Mobile version is iOS only, no Android support
- Autoposing for quadrupeds requires Pro or Teams plan
- Scene linking tool not available in Free or Indie plans
- Onboarding call only 30 minutes for all plans
Frequently asked questions about Cascadeur
What subscription plans are available?
Cascadeur offers four subscription plans: Free (free forever for non-commercial use), Indie ($8/month annually for hobbyists and small teams with revenue under $100k/year), Pro ($33/month annually for professionals with unlimited commercial use), and Teams ($33/user/month annually for 2-6 users with centralized management). All annual subscriptions turn into perpetual licenses after 1 year.
How much does each plan cost?
Free plan is $0 forever. Indie monthly is $19/month, annual is $8/month ($96/year). Pro monthly is $49/month, annual is $33/month ($396/year). Teams is $49/user/month monthly or $33/user/month annually for 2-6 users. Annual subscriptions save 32% compared to monthly.
Does Cascadeur offer a perpetual license?
Yes, Cascadeur offers perpetual licenses through annual subscriptions. Both Indie and Pro annual subscriptions turn into perpetual licenses after 1 year of payment. This means you continue to have access to the software even after the subscription ends, though you won't receive future updates without an active subscription.
What are the differences between Pro and Teams plans?
Teams plan includes everything in Pro plus: dedicated Discord chat for the team, centralized user management via admin dashboard, role-based permission system with different user roles, and the ability to add, remove, and manage users from one place. Teams is designed for 2-6 users while Pro is for individual professionals.
Can I export animations in all formats with any subscription?
No, export formats vary by plan. Free tier only exports to .casc format (no .fbx or .dae). Indie plan exports to .casc, .fbx, .dae, .usr, and .gltf. Pro and Teams plans also export to all these formats including .usb. The Free tier's export limitation is one of its main restrictions.
Are there any restrictions on commercial use?
Yes, there are commercial use restrictions. Free tier is strictly non-commercial only. Indie plan allows commercial use but only if your yearly revenue is less than $100k. Pro and Teams plans have unlimited commercial use with no revenue restrictions. This makes Pro necessary for professional studios and larger studios.
What are the system requirements for Cascadeur?
Cascadeur requires only medium hardware configuration and works on Windows and Linux desktop systems. It can be used productively on modern laptops. The software is lightweight enough that it doesn't require high-end hardware, making it accessible for most animators without expensive workstation requirements.
How many computers can I install the software on with a single seat?
Each seat allows installation on multiple computers for personal use, but the license is tied to the user account. For Teams plans, centralized user management via admin dashboard allows managing multiple user installations. The exact number isn't specified but typically allows installation on your primary work computer and backup/home computer.
In which languages is Cascadeur available?
Cascadeur's interface and documentation are primarily in English. The software supports English-speaking users with English tutorials, Discord community, and documentation. There is no mention of full multi-language interface support for other languages like Russian, Spanish, or Chinese in the available information.
Can I cancel my active subscription?
Yes, you can cancel your active subscription. After cancellation, you retain access until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel renewal but later want to activate it again, this is possible. You can also request refunds for subscriptions, though specific refund policies and timeframes should be checked with their support team.