Top Animation Paper Alternatives for Your 2D Animation Projects
Animation Paper is a powerful and intuitive software designed for traditional 2D animators, offering features like super-fast responsiveness, high-quality lines, real-time rotation and zooming, advanced onion skinning, and an X-Sheet for timing. While it excels at bringing the traditional animation workflow to the digital realm, users may find themselves seeking an Animation Paper alternative for various reasons – whether it's platform compatibility, specific feature sets, or budget considerations. This article explores some of the best alternatives available to help you continue creating stunning 2D animations.
Best Animation Paper Alternatives
If you're looking to transition from Animation Paper or simply explore other options that offer similar capabilities or even expand your animation toolkit, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a list of excellent alternatives, ranging from free and open-source solutions to professional-grade commercial software, ensuring there's an option for every animator's needs.
diagrams.net
diagrams.net (previously draw.io) is a free, open-source, web-based diagram drawing application. While not a direct animation software like Animation Paper, its capabilities for creating flowcharts and wireframes could be useful in the pre-production stages for storyboarding or planning complex animation sequences. It offers features like export to PDF, SVG, and integration with Google Drive and Dropbox, making it a versatile tool for organizing your animation projects.
OpenToonz
OpenToonz is a powerful, free, and open-source animation program available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It's the same software used by Studio Ghibli, offering professional-grade features such as a 3D camera, color correction, complex hierarchies, cutout animation tools, and the ability to vectorize raster images. As a comprehensive Animation Paper alternative, OpenToonz provides robust tools for frame-by-frame animation and schema editing, making it suitable for both traditional and digital animation workflows.
Pencil2D
Pencil2D is a free and open-source animation/drawing software for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. It's an excellent Animation Paper alternative for those who prefer a minimalist interface focused on traditional hand-drawn animation. It supports frame-by-frame animation, drawing, and includes a symmetry brush, making it a straightforward tool for sketching and bringing characters to life.
Animation Desk
Animation Desk is a freemium tool available on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, and iPad, making it a highly accessible Animation Paper alternative for animators on the go. It's loved by professionals and amateurs alike for its features like onion skinning, frame-by-frame animation, support for layers, and various painting tools. It also supports Apple Pencil, rotoscoping, and can convert videos to animated GIFs, offering a versatile mobile animation experience.
Pencil
Pencil is a free, open-source animation/drawing software compatible with Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Similar to Pencil2D, it focuses on traditional hand-drawn animation using both bitmap and vector graphics. As an Animation Paper alternative, it provides a clean environment for creating cartoons and short animations, offering essential features for frame-by-frame work.
Moho (Anime Studio)
Moho (formerly Anime Studio) is a commercial software for Mac and Windows, renowned for its powerful features in professional animation. It's a robust Animation Paper alternative for those seeking advanced capabilities, including drawing 2D tools and comprehensive rigging options that have been used in Oscar-nominated films. Its pricing places it in a higher tier, reflecting its industry-standard features.
Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Harmony is another leading commercial animation software for Mac and Windows, widely adopted by studios worldwide. As a premium Animation Paper alternative, it offers an extensive brush engine, 3D animation capabilities, frame-by-frame animation, keyframe animation, and vector strokes. Its comprehensive feature set caters to professional animators looking for an all-in-one solution for complex projects.
TVPaint Animation
TVPaint Animation is a commercial, paperless drawing and animation tool available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android. It stands out as an Animation Paper alternative due to its exceptional ability to imitate traditional techniques like pen brush, gouache, watercolor, and pencil. It provides a highly natural drawing experience, making it ideal for artists who want the feel of traditional media combined with digital flexibility.
FlipaClip
FlipaClip is a free mobile animation app for Android, iPhone, and iPad, perfect for casual animators and those looking to create quick animations on their devices. As an accessible Animation Paper alternative, it offers frame-by-frame animation, drawing tools, onion skinning (background image in animation), and support for layers. It's an excellent choice for aspiring animators to express their creativity on the go.
RoughAnimator
RoughAnimator is a commercial, fully featured hand-drawn animation application available across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows. It's a compelling Animation Paper alternative, powerful enough for professional animators yet simple to use. Key features include rotoscoping, customizable brushes, and tablet pressure sensitivity, providing a robust platform for traditional animation on various devices.
The world of 2D animation software is rich with diverse tools, each offering unique strengths. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your animation journey, exploring these Animation Paper alternatives will undoubtedly help you find the perfect fit for your workflow, artistic style, and budget. Take the time to experiment with a few to discover the one that best empowers your creative vision.