OpenToonz

Overview

OpenToonz is a free, open-source desktop application for producing 2D animation. It best suits animators and students who want scanning, painting, compositing and export tools in one workflow. Its breadth is useful, but GTS scanning is Windows-only.

OpenToonz is based on Toonz, which Studio Ghibli customized and used in its work for many years. The source code is available under the New BSD License, and the free plan allows commercial as well as non-commercial projects.

For more options, browse 2D Character Animation Software, Cartoon Maker Software and Animation Software.

Key features

Scanning and painting

The GTS scanning tool supports four scanning types, saves scanning settings and works with TWAIN standards. That makes it relevant to workflows built around scanning artwork, but the Windows-only restriction means Mac and Linux users cannot rely on GTS as part of their setup. Digital painting supports anti-aliased lines and keeps painting data separate from palette data, giving artists distinct elements to manage.

Compositing, formats and extensions

Filming offers both xsheet and timeline interfaces, so users can work with either approach to arranging a production. Its node tree can synthesize effects, and an SDK allows users to add image-processing effects as plug-ins. OpenToonz handles raster and vector images and converts between colored binarized TGA sequences and OpenToonz format. Export options include 3GP, AVI, BMP, GIF, JPG, MOV, MP4, PNG, RGB, SGI, Spritesheet, TGA, TIF, TIFF and WebM—a broad selection for different output needs.

Pricing

Free: free. The plan is open source and permits both commercial and non-commercial projects, so there is no paid tier to unlock commercial use. It is the straightforward choice for independent animators, production teams and schools that want to use the software without a subscription.

Platforms

OpenToonz runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its GTS scanning tool is available only on Windows, so the core platform reach does not extend to that particular scanning workflow.

Who it's for

OpenToonz suits professional and amateur 2D production as well as school education. It is a stronger fit for users who value a desktop workflow spanning animation, compositing and image handling than for someone choosing software primarily for cross-platform scanning.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free plan permits commercial work, making it usable for projects without a paid license.
• Pros: Scanning, painting, compositing and plug-in effects cover several parts of a 2D production workflow.
• Pros: Raster and vector support plus a wide set of export formats give users flexibility in handling artwork and output.
• Cons: GTS is Windows-only, limiting its usefulness for scanning-led workflows on macOS or Linux.

Alternatives

Blender is a free, open-source option to consider instead when 3D creation is the priority; OpenToonz is focused on 2D animation. For collaborative animation work, Rive offers a free plan with three collaborative files and one project. Houdini is another option; compare its plans if it better fits your needs.

Cascadeur offers animation and rigging tools on a free plan, but that plan is non-commercial and exports only .casc files. Synfig Studio is a free, open-source alternative for readers comparing 2D animation software. Pencil2D is another free, open-source option that can be used commercially.

Powtoon may suit readers looking at template-based animation: its free plan is limited to 720p and three minutes and adds a watermark. Animaker is another alternative, with a free plan that includes basic animation tools but limits premium assets and watermarks exports.

Verdict

Choose OpenToonz if you want a free, commercially usable 2D animation application with tools for multiple production stages and substantial format support. Look elsewhere if you need GTS scanning on macOS or Linux.