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Pencil2D

With Pencil2D you draw an animation image for image and combine drawing layers, sound and camera movements on a timeline.

Developer Pencil2D

Version 0.7.2 · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux

Looking for an alternative to Pencil2D?Compare Krita.Compare alternatives

Pencil2D is intended for hand-drawn 2D animation. You build up a movement from separate drawings and put it on a timeline. With onion skin you can see surrounding images while drawing, so that you can better connect the following posture. You can use bitmap drawings and vector layers, although vector support is still in development.

The timeline holds drawings, sound and camera movements together. That helps to not only create loose images, but also determine the pace of a scene. Start with a short movement, like a bouncing ball, before you set up a long story with many layers. This way you learn to do some more or less intermediate images with the result.

Pencil2D has a clear workspace, but does not take over the artwork. It is not a program that automatically makes an entire animation out of a description. Save a new project copy regularly and check a short export before you work on a scene for hours. Then you notice on time or resolution, image speed and sound stand well.

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Differences between Pencil2D and Krita
SoftwareWhat can it do?Platform and licence
Pencil2DYou are viewing this app With Pencil2D you draw an animation image for image and combine drawing layers, sound and camera movements on a timeline. Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source
KritaView this alternative You want to combine animation with extensive digital painting. Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-3.0-or-later

Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.

Who is it for?

You want to learn how to animate or make short hand-drawn animations. Pencil2D fits a method in which you draw the movement and do not need an extensive 3D environment.

Getting started

Choose the stable download for your system. Unpack the full ZIP on Windows; on macOS you use the DMG. Create a short pilot project to check tablet, sound and export.

Privacy

You can save your projects and drawings locally. For publishing an export you choose a service yourself. Check to see if you can share used images and sound fragments.

Good to know

Hand-drawn animation takes time Vector support has limitations Drawing tablets can give specific problems

Please note

The vector engine is not yet suitable for any serious project. Some drawing tablets require custom settings. Save multiple project copies and check that exports are complete.

Advantages

  • Timeline with onion skin Drawing, sound and camera in one project Free expenditure for Windows, macOS and Linux

Things to consider

  • Hand-drawn animation takes time Vector support has limitations Drawing tablets may cause specific problems

Download Pencil2D

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Official download page

Provider’s website · github.com

Download Pencil2D (opens in a new tab)

Version history

0.7.2

Save, repair and error messages in projects have been improved.

  • Save, repair and error messages in projects have been improved.
  • Problems with copied frames, transformations and timeline have been solved.
  • The toolbar adapts better to the available space and macOS gets a DMG release.
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Our verdict

Pencil2D is especially strong as an accessible start for image-by-image animation. The limited workspace helps keep you focused on timing and drawing. The downside is that for extensive productions you run into restrictions faster, especially in vector work. Start with bitmap layers and a short scene, test your tablet and make a trial export. When that base works well, you can expand focussed without immediately learning a complicated animation package.

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