If you are looking for a free, open-source, and cross-platform 2D animation software to help you create your next masterpiece, try OpenToonz.
It is an easy-to-use drawing tool that can be used by both professionals and amateurs alike.
The program’s interface is clean and simple; it features all the standard tools found in most other animation programs. You’ll find pencils to draw with, erasers to edit mistakes, rulers for precise positioning of still images or layers—the list goes on!
What is OpenToonz?
OpenToonz is an open-source animation software package, which can be downloaded for free. It has features that make it comparable to professional-grade animation software packages like Toon Boom Studio and TVPaint Animation Pro.
OpenToonz is a free, open-source software package for creating traditional hand-drawn animation using digital technologies.
It was originally created by Sébastien Fourey in 2005 at the Gobelins School of the Image (École des Gobelins). The first version, 0.0x beta, was released on March 21st, 2009, under an LGPL license, as well as its codebase being made publicly available from the svn repository and Gitlab repositories, respectively.
This early release saw contributions mainly coming from French animators, such as due to geographical proximity with developers but also internationally, including contributors who have been involved in the development of Toon Boom Studio and TVPaint Animation Pro.
Is OpenToonz free?
Yes, OpenToonz is 100% free and always will be. They are dedicated to open-source software for animation studios and want every animation studio in the world to have access to the tool, not just to a few of them!
Features of OpenToonz
OpenToonz is an open-source software program that allows users with no previous animation knowledge to create animated movies of all kinds; it’s designed for use by professionals as well as beginners and has many features tailored specifically for their needs.
The interface is very user-friendly with its intuitive layout and helpful tutorials when first opening up the application.
It also includes some useful tools such as a vector editor, paint bucket fill tool, onion skinning, multiples frames per second support (24fps), dedicated buttons for frame dragging/dropping, among others which makes this software more than just another drawing program or video editing app: it really does make the animation process more accessible and enjoyable.
More features:
- Support for importing images and video from the clipboard (PNG, JPEG, GIF) or a camera.
- Import vector graphics of SVG format. This allows users to animate scalable drawings without needing additional software such as Adobe Illustrator; however, it is not compatible with all formats like PDFs that have layers. The import process can be done by clicking on “File” then choosing and opening the desired file type under “Vector Images.” It should also be noted that this function does not allow you to convert existing PNG files into vectors, so they cannot be animated in OpenToonz. They will still need Photoshop or GIMP for processing themselves before being imported into OpenToonz, though!
- Import/Export DataBase: You can import/export your data.
- Text Generator: You can create text using OpenToonz.
- Image Viewer: This allows you to view images and export them as bitmaps or vector graphics
- Frame Rate Control: The frame rate can be controlled from zero frames per second to 30 fps.
- Import Existing Animation Project (e.g., AVI, FLA): Import animations created in other programs like Adobe Flash Professional or Anime Studio Pro.
- Import Previous Project: Import animations created in previous OpenToonz projects.
- History Window: The History window contains the history of all commands you have done on your project.
- Undo command: The Undo command allows you to undo the previous action.
- Zoom in and out of the timeline window: You can zoom in or out of the Timeline Window.
- Paint Over Animation Frame(s): Compatibility with a paint program will allow you to see exactly what your characters are doing on that frame.
- Import Image from File, Paint Program, Camera (e.g., PNG, BMP): Import images created using other programs like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator into OpenToonz so they can be used as frames of animation.
- Animation Length Setting for Frames Per Second: Allows users to set how fast their animations playback at per second.
OpenToonz better than Krita?
OpenToonz is an animation software that can be installed on various operating systems, such as Linux and Windows. It uses a timeline-based system to animate cartoons which simplifies the process of creating animations for beginners quickly and easily while giving professionals more control over their artwork.
OpenToonz also has many features Krita lacks, like onion skinning (toggling between different frames), multiple layers in one window, and even keyframe interpolation when animating motion!
The best part about this animation tool? The open-source community behind it is constantly updating the program with new features and bug fixes, so there’s always something new for you to try out next time you animate your latest cartoon masterpiece!
Is OpenToonz good for beginners?
OpenToonz is not a simple software to learn how to use, but it’s very user-friendly with its intuitive interface.
The help files are concise and clear; they even provide tutorials for new users on the most basic topics such as animation terminology. If you’re interested in learning OpenToonz specifically, there’s also an online course available from Udemy that teaches the basics of using this program (although I haven’t verified their content).
There are more extensive courses offered by the California College of Art that cover all aspects of digital art production, including preproduction, color theory, drawing techniques, composition, etc.; these classes offer more than just instruction in one specific area like OpenToonz does. However, if you’re really interested only in learning OpenToonz, the Udemy course is a good option to get started.
Is OpenToonz offline?
Yes, OpenToonz is offline animation software. You can work with vector graphics and import pictures to use as backgrounds or elements of your scene. There is also a timeline for working on animations in the traditional way – frame by frame.
How to download and install OpenToonz?
The latest version of OpenToonz can be downloaded from the website. There are two options for installation:
A) Windows installers and packages that will work with both 64-bit or 32-bit versions of windows, MacOSX (Intel), Ubuntu Linux 14.04+ install, Fedora 20+, Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server/Desktop Workstation updates.
B) A DMG package file for Apple OS X users running at least Mavericks (version 11.0). This is a simple drag & drop to your Applications folder method.
There you have it! Follow these instructions carefully to download and install OpenToonz on your PC without any hassle!
