Animation programs help!!!!?

I need help finding Animation Programs?

• So, I need a good quality animation program. Free of charge. I'm 16, there for I cannot afford buying one. Preferrably in English, some-what easy to learn, easy to use. I would like if it were layering, or frame by frame drawings. Nothing like paint. The thing with MS Paint, is that when I want to rotate an arm, a leg, or a tail... to make them wave and stuff, it rotates wayyyy to far. It's a pain to keep drawing the same arm over and over agian. And I have seen people use this thing where they trace JUST the object they want moving, and move it a tiny bit in each frame. Not have to re-draw it. You can check out my animations with MS Paint and Windows Movie Maker. Sucky, because the programs I use suck. http://www.youtube.com/possumfang I'm currently in an animation class, but they wont let me take their software home. :( no stupid or rude comments please.

• Answer:

  "The gimp" can do what you're asking, but some people claim it's difficult to learn. The rotate tool in the toolbox lets you grab a corner and rotate your selection to where you want it. Then you just anchor it down to the layer again with Control-H. It's a powerful free image editor.