
How to Animate Pictures Like a Wizard: Top Tools and Tips Revealed!
April 24, 2024
Animagen Team
3,200 words

Immersity AI, formerly known as Leiapix, has been a popular choice for creating 3D animations from 2D images. But whether you're looking for something with different features, a more accessible price point, or simply want to explore the market, this guide covers the top 10 alternatives — tested and compared by our team.
Immersity AI is known for its user-friendly interface and AI-powered features for creating 3D effects, depth mapping, and 2D-to-3D conversion. When evaluating alternatives, look for:

Animagenis an AI-powered tool designed to bring static images to life. It's perfect for social media posts, website banners, and presentations, offering a quick and easy way to create captivating 3D animations without any design experience.
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Pay-per-use at $1 per image conversion. No recurring fees — you only pay for what you use.

Meshy.ai is an AI 3D model generator that transforms text prompts and 2D images into high-quality 3D models. Designed for game developers, 3D artists, and content creators who need rapid 3D asset generation.
Pros: Text-to-3D generation, image-to-3D conversion, high-quality output, API integration, multiple export formats
Cons: Learning curve for advanced features, credit-based usage limits, primarily focused on 3D modeling rather than animation
Pricing: Free plan with limited credits. Paid plans start at $16/month.

Depthy is a free web-based tool for creating and viewing 3D parallax images from 2D photos. It uses depth maps to add three-dimensionality to images.
Pros: Completely free, user-friendly, interactive viewing, automatic depth map generation
Cons: Limited advanced features, quality varies by input image, file size limitations
Pricing: Totally free.

Stylar AI (now Dzine AI) is an AI-powered design assistant for creating professional graphics and animations quickly. Ideal for marketers and social media managers.
Pros: AI-assisted design, wide range of templates, beginner-friendly
Cons: Not a dedicated 3D tool, requires internet connection, advanced features have learning curve
Pricing: Free trial with limited credits. Paid plans start at $8/month.

PhotoMirage by Corel is desktop software for creating captivating cinemagraphs — still images with subtle, mesmerizing movements.
Pros: Easy to use, creates engaging cinemagraphs, quick results
Cons: Niche focus on cinemagraphs, not a comprehensive 3D tool, practice needed for natural results
Pricing: One-time purchase of $69.99.

StoryZ is a mobile app for adding motion to specific parts of photos, creating partially animated images ideal for social media.
Pros: Mobile-first design, unique partially-animated content, social media ready
Cons: Mobile only, not a full 3D tool, in-app purchases required for some features
Pricing: Free to download. In-app purchases range from $1.99 to $9.99.

PhotoVibrance adds realistic, subtle movements to photos, creating captivating animations for social media, websites, and presentations.
Pros: Realistic animations, easy to use, versatile applications
Cons: Limited customization, best for subtle effects only, subscription model
Pricing: Subscription starts at $69.99/year.

Tripo AI transforms 2D images into 3D models using AI. A strong choice for designers and artists working with 3D assets.
Pros: Fast 2D-to-3D conversion, no 3D modeling expertise needed, good integration with other tools
Cons: Output quality varies, limited control over conversion, focused on modeling not animation
Pricing: Free trial available. Paid plans start at $19.9/month.

Runway ML is a powerful creative suite offering AI-powered tools for video editing, 3D animation, and visual effects. Suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Pros: Versatile AI tools, collaborative features, regular updates with cutting-edge features
Cons: Steeper learning curve, requires powerful hardware, may be overkill for casual users
Pricing: Free starter plan. Paid plans start at $12/month.

Alpha 3D is a web-based 3D modeling and animation tool designed to simplify the 3D creation process with an accessible, intuitive interface.
Pros: Web-based (no installation), beginner-friendly, collaborative features
Cons: Less powerful than desktop alternatives, internet dependent, limited advanced features
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $0.99/month.
| Tool | Type | Best For | Pricing Starts At | Free Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animagen | Online | Social media 3D content | $1/image | No |
| Meshy.ai | Online | AI 3D model generation | $16/month | Limited free |
| Depthy | Online | Casual 3D parallax | Free | Yes |
| Stylar/Dzine | Online | Graphic design + animation | $8/month | Limited free |
| PhotoMirage | Desktop | Cinemagraph creation | $69.99 (one-time) | No |
| StoryZ | Mobile | Mobile photo animation | $1.99 | Limited free |
| PhotoVibrance | Desktop | Photo motion effects | $69.99/year | No |
| Tripo AI | Online | 2D to 3D conversion | $19.9/month | Limited free |
| Runway ML | Online | AI video & 3D creation | $12/month | Limited free |
| Alpha 3D | Online | Web-based 3D modeling | $0.99/month | Limited free |
Consider these factors when making your choice:
Yes! Tools like Animagen and StoryZ are designed specifically with beginners in mind, offering user-friendly interfaces and instant results.
Absolutely. While some tools are better suited for casual use, Runway ML and PhotoMirage offer features that hold up in professional settings.
It depends on the tool. Web-based options like Animagen run on most computers since processing happens in the cloud. Desktop tools like Runway ML may require more powerful hardware.
For many social media and marketing tasks, these tools are excellent alternatives. However, for complex 3D modeling and animation projects, professional software like Blender or Cinema 4D remains the standard.
Transform any 2D image into a stunning 3D animation in seconds. No design skills required. Export as GIF or MP4 up to 4K.