Real-time animation
Cavalry renders in real time, so changes appear immediately instead of waiting on preview renders.
Cavalry
Cavalry is 2D animation and motion graphics software for macOS and Windows, built for real-time, data-driven workflows. Free for individuals, with SSO access for organizations.
Overview
Cavalry is 2D animation and motion graphics software for macOS and Windows. The homepage describes it as professional, real-time animation software that is free for individuals, while the documentation presents it as a 2D animation tool used in animation, motion design, creative coding, film, generative art, data visualisation, experiential work, and advertising.
Its core emphasis is workflow speed and systems-based motion design. The site highlights real-time rendering, data-driven sequences, and the ability to change a value and have that change ripple through related elements, which makes it suited to repeatable animation systems rather than only one-off keyframed scenes.
Features
Data import and sequences
It supports data-driven animation workflows, including connecting spreadsheet data and animating at scale.
Procedural rig control
The product highlights procedural rig control, designed for rigs and reusable motion systems.
Motion design tools
The homepage lists tools such as Rubber Hose, Magic Easing, Duplicator, and Text Animation as part of the feature set.
Export support
Cavalry includes export options noted on the site, including Lottie export.
Desktop performance
The site says it is optimized for macOS and Windows and runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel.
Use cases
Iterating on motion graphics
Use Cavalry when you need a fast motion-design workflow with immediate feedback while adjusting timing, easing, or layout.
Data-driven animation
Use it for animations built from external data, such as spreadsheet-driven sequences or repeated variants that need to update from one source of truth.
Reusable animation rigs
Use it when you are building reusable motion systems with rigs, duplicators, and procedural controls instead of animating every element manually.
Production and experimentation
Use it for short-form tutorial content, feature demos, or experimental motion pieces where real-time playback and quick changes matter.
Enterprise or education deployment
Use it in team environments that already use Canva Enterprise or Canva Education and need SSO-based access for a group rollout.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free for individuals, with the site stating there are no restrictions or payment needed for individual use.
- Real-time viewport and rendering reduce waiting on previews.
- Supports data-driven workflows, including spreadsheet-based animation at scale.
- Includes procedural tools such as rig control, easing, duplication, and text animation.
- Runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, as well as Windows.
Cons
- Only available on Mac and Windows; the site explicitly says it is not available on mobile devices.
- The public pricing URL currently returns a page-not-found response, so pricing and plan structure are not clear from the provided sources.
FAQ
Is Cavalry really free?
Yes. The site says Cavalry is free for individuals and can be downloaded and used without payment or restrictions.
What platforms does Cavalry support?
Yes. The documentation and homepage describe Cavalry as software for macOS and Windows, and the homepage notes it is only available on those desktop platforms.
What happens to existing licences?
The site says existing users retain access to their legacy Scene Group version, but the latest features and updates are available in Cavalry by Canva. It also notes that refunding a subscription removes Pro features in Cavalry 2.6.1 and earlier.
Can teams use Cavalry with SSO?
The homepage says team access is available through SSO with a Canva Enterprise or Canva Education account, and the FAQ mentions Canva Enterprise or Canva Districts access for SSO.
Where can I find pricing information?
The pricing page at /pricing currently returns a page-not-found message, so the source does not provide current plan or pricing details.
Quick Facts
- Product type
- 2D animation and motion graphics software
- Platforms
- macOS and Windows
- Primary users
- Animators and motion designers
- Availability
- Free for individuals
- Company
- Canva
- Website
- cavalry.studio
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