iClone operates as a real-time 3D animation platform built specifically for character work and scene composition. The software lets you animate characters, construct 3D environments, and export finished sequences as video files or image sequences ready for post-production. Its support for alpha channels and transparent video exports makes it a practical bridge between 3D animation creation and compositing workflows in tools like After Effects or Nuke.

The platform targets character animators, motion graphics artists, and VFX professionals who need to produce video content with 3D elements. iClone's real-time rendering engine means you see results immediately as you work, which speeds up iteration compared to traditional render-and-wait 3D workflows. The software handles the entire pipeline from character setup through final video export, positioning itself as a complete animation production environment rather than just a modeling or rigging tool.

Rive approaches animation from the perspective of interactive digital products. The tool creates vector-based animations that remain lightweight enough to run smoothly in apps, games, and websites while responding to user actions in real time. Its state machine system lets designers define how animations behave under different conditions, like hover states, button presses, or gameplay events, without requiring developers to write animation logic in code.

The platform appeals to product designers, UI animators, and game developers who need animations that do more than play linearly. Rive exports to runtime formats that integrate directly into Flutter, React, Unity, and other development frameworks. The animations maintain small file sizes and smooth performance because they render using vectors rather than rasterized video. This makes Rive fundamentally different from video-based animation tools since its output is programmatically controllable and adapts to user interaction.