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Adobe Animate Is Dead — The 25-Year-Old Animation Icon Bowing Out for AI
3 min read Adobe is shutting down Animate on March 1, 2026, after 25 years, as it pivots to AI tools. Enterprise support lasts until 2029, but users are furious — many see no alternative that matches Animate’s power. The AI era is here, but it comes with trade-offs. February 03, 2026 11:16
After 25 years, Adobe Animate — the company’s flagship 2D animation software — is being discontinued. Adobe announced that the software will officially be retired on March 1, 2026, with technical support for enterprise users continuing until 2029.
What’s happening
Adobe is pivoting aggressively toward AI-powered tools, signaling a shift in priorities away from traditional software like Animate. Existing customers received emails and updates confirming the shutdown, which has sparked frustration among the animation community.
Users voiced their disappointment online, with some pleading for Adobe to open source Animate rather than abandon it completely. Many worry about losing a tool that has been central to their creative workflows for decades.
Why it matters
Animate wasn’t just another app — it helped shape the animation ecosystem for over two decades. Its closure reflects a broader trend: software giants are moving resources toward AI, sometimes at the cost of legacy products beloved by their communities.
For professionals relying on Animate, the challenge is clear: find alternatives fast or risk workflow disruptions. For Adobe, it’s a bet that AI tools will capture the creative market faster than older, traditional platforms.
Bottom line
Adobe is closing the chapter on Animate as it leans into the AI future.
For animators, the question is whether AI can truly replace 25 years of tools, habits, and creativity — or if this move will leave a gap the industry struggles to fill.
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