Toon Boom Animation has released Toon Boom Animate 2 (http://www.toonboom.com/products/animate/), an update of the animation software that lets you publish animation for all types of media, from online to HDTV.

Version 2.0 offers: distribution of character parts to layers; adjustment of velocity on multiple character parts; creation of richer-looking ambiance; SWF export with effects; direct import of scanned drawings (TWAIN); and text capability.

Animate can handle such formats and jobs as vector, bitmap, symbols, pegs, camera, morphing, inverse kinematics, advanced lip sync and more. It enables users to create traditional and bitmap animation as well as combine both styles. Users can access lip-sync and cell swapping tools.

Buy Toon Boom Animate 2 is available for US$599.99 until April 14; the regular price is $699.99. All customers who took advantage of the pre-order campaign, which started on March 8, will receive their Product Code electronically along with instructions on how to install and activate the product.