# Digital Puppetry Software This Animation Software Allows Users to Control Designs with Their Hands By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-07-29 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animation-software References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2015/07/bring-your-animations-to-life-with-digital-puppetry.html) & [vimeo](https://vimeo.com/133582871) A group of [Carnegie Melon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-knitting-machine1) researchers recently developed a new type of [animation software](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motionary-ai) that makes it easier for designers to reproduce organic movements. The new software is called 'Dranimate' and it is designed to simplify the animation process. The new software relies on [Leap Motion technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phantomy-software), which is a computer hardware device that allows individuals to use their finger motions as input. This technology allows a user to map their fingers to specific nodes on hand-drawn silhouettes. The nodes operate as joints and allow the user to move the figure with their hands. The effect can be thought of of as a digital marionette, where each movement of the cartoon corresponds to a finger movement by the user. The Dranimate software dramatically reduces animation time, while also providing an intuitive platform for storytelling. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Organic Movement Reproduction:** The trend of developing animation software that simplifies the reproduction of organic movements, such as the Dranimate software. - **Gesture-based Input:** The trend of utilizing gesture-based input devices like Leap Motion technology to control digital designs. - **Intuitive Animation Platforms:** The trend of creating animation software that provides a user-friendly and intuitive platform for storytelling, like Dranimate. ### Where This Applies - **Animation Software:** The animation software industry can benefit from developing similar software solutions that simplify the animation process and reduce time. - **Gesture Recognition Technology:** The gesture recognition technology industry has the opportunity to explore and improve hardware devices like Leap Motion for intuitive design control. - **Digital Storytelling:** The digital storytelling industry can leverage intuitive animation platforms like Dranimate to enhance the storytelling experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI Human Animators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreamactor.md) - [AI Animation Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animate-ai2.md) - [AI Animation Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tooncrafter-ai1.md) - [Automated Animation Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autodraft-ai.md) - [AI Animation Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genaimo.md) - [AI Animation Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lottielab1.md) - [Dynamic Cartoon Animation Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tooncrafter-ai.md) - [Streamlined Animation tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/linearity-move.md) - [AI Animation Generators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/text2motionai.md)