Feb 3, 2026adobe is shutting down one of its oldest 2d animation software, adobe animate, which has been available since 1996 under various names, including futuresplash animator, macromedia. Feb 3, 2026adobe is ending the three-decade run for one of the most influential animation tools in digital media history. Feb 4, 2026adobe animate began life in 1996 as a multimedia authoring and vector-based animation program, later becoming macromedia flash after macromedia acquired its developer, futurewave.