Cascadeur

Cascadeur is a desktop 3D animation software by Nekki that helps you animate characters with AI assistance. It is made for game animators, VFX artists, and solo creators who want believable motion without a motion-capture studio. Tools like AutoPosing and AI Inbetweening speed up keyframe work, while AutoPhysics keeps secondary motion natural. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The Free plan costs nothing with no time limit, though exports stay in its own format. Check the official plans page for current limits.

Key Features

1. AutoPosing

Move fewer control points and the AI produces natural character poses. You pose faster with less manual tweaking.

2. AutoPhysics

A character "double" previews the physically correct result of your animation. Secondary motion and inertia get fixed quickly.

3. AI Inbetweening

The tool generates motion between your keyframes instantly. Gaps in the timeline fill themselves with smooth movement.

4. AI Motion Generation

Generate full animation types like running, jumping, combat, acrobatics, and idles. Start from motion instead of a blank timeline.

5. Quick Rigging

Drag and drop joints to auto-generate a rig for humanoids and quadrupeds. Cats, dogs, and horses are supported.

6. Retargeting

Copy and paste animation between characters regardless of their skeletons. Different proportions are handled automatically.

7. Mocap Cleanup

Fix foot sliding, knee pops, and geometry penetration in imported clips. Unbaking turns baked mocap into editable keyframes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What can I export on the Free plan?

Only the proprietary .casc scene format. FBX and DAE export need the Indie plan, and USD export needs Pro.

Can I use the Free version for client work?

No. The Free plan is for learning and non-commercial use. Paid plans allow commercial projects.

Which formats can it import and export?

It imports and exports FBX, DAE, and USD, and uses its own .casc scene format. Export options depend on your plan.

How does the yearly license become perpetual?

After 12 months of Indie or Pro yearly billing, the license converts to perpetual. You keep the version you paid for.

What is new in Cascadeur 2026.2?

Animation Layers for non-destructive editing and improved easing controls headline the current release line.

Conclusion

Cascadeur brings AI-assisted keyframe animation to Windows, Mac, and Linux desktops. AutoPosing, inbetweening, and motion generation speed up character work, while cleanup tools fix mocap flaws. The Free plan has no time limit for learning. It suits game animators and solo creators who want believable motion fast. Check the official site for current plan details.