InkForge is a free, open-source raster drawing app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its GPU-backed canvas uses a stamp-based brush engine with six procedural texture tips; pen pressure can control brush size and opacity. Artists can use unlimited layers, twelve blend modes, clipping masks, and non-destructive layer effects. The frame-by-frame timeline supports duplication, onion-skinning, adjustable FPS, and GIF or WebM export. Native .inkforge projects preserve layers and frames, while export formats include PNG, JPEG, and TIFF. An AI panel lists fourteen modes, including style transfer, sketch-to-painting, inpainting, and background removal. Generation can use Gemini or Replicate with the user's own key, or a local ComfyUI graph. The maker says keys are stored locally and the ComfyUI path stays on the machine. The maker describes the MIT-licensed app as under active development on its cross-platform build and identifies the native macOS version as its original Swift implementation. The download section lists Windows 10+ and macOS 13+ requirements.
Who it is for
InkForge suits artists seeking a free desktop raster drawing app with animation tools and layered projects. Its AI options may suit users who can supply a Gemini or Replicate key or use a local ComfyUI graph.
What is good
- Free and open source under the MIT license.
- Six procedural brush tips and pressure controls.
- Animation export to GIF or WebM.
- Native projects preserve layers and frames.
- AI keys are stored locally, according to the maker.
What to know first
- Windows 10+ and macOS 13+ are listed requirements.
- Cross-platform build is described as under active development.
- Gemini and Replicate use requires the user's own key.
Verdict
InkForge combines drawing, frame-by-frame animation, and optional AI modes in a free desktop app. Check the listed operating-system requirements and development status for the build you plan to use.
InkForge plans and pricing
All plansCompared on digital painting software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Brush customization
- Yes
- Layer support
- Yes
- Pressure sensitivity
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Color management
- basic
- Stroke stabilization
- Yes
