Freedom251 › Digital Painting Software
PD Howler
What PD Howler is
PD Howler is paid Windows software for digital painting, video, animation, 3D, and visual effects. Painting tools include natural media, customizable brushes, particle and foliage brushes, pigment lifting, layers, pressure sensitivity, and stroke stabilization. Animation and video tools cover frame-by-frame animation, video frame editing, rotoscoping, chromakeying, compositing, and motion prediction. For 3D work, it offers terrain generation, global illumination, ray tracing, and Wavefront OBJ loading. The feature list includes more than 100 filters for still images and animations. LUA filters, third-party plugins, and a programming API allow add-ons. The maker describes it for hobbyists and professionals and offers free demo versions, although there is no free plan. PD Howler is a 32-bit application; Windows 10 or 11 is recommended, with Windows 7 and 8.1 also listed as working platforms. Listed prices are 17.00 USD for the Howler 2027 upgrade and 19.99 USD for the full version sale for the next 10 orders.
Who it suits
It suits hobbyists and professionals using Windows who want painting alongside animation, video, 3D, or visual-effects tools.
What it does well
- Customizable brushes, layers, and pressure sensitivity
- Frame-by-frame animation and video editing
- Terrain generation, ray tracing, and OBJ loading
- More than 100 listed filters
- Free demo or trial versions
What to know first
- No free plan
- 32-bit application
- Windows-focused support
- Howler 2025 requires Howler 2024 installed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Howler 2027 upgrade | Sale price; regular price $37.00 | $17, paid once |
| Howler 2027 full version | Sale price for the next 10 orders | $19.99, paid once |
As thebest3d.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
PD Howler covers painting plus animation, video, 3D, and effects in a single Windows application. Buyers should account for its 32-bit design, paid access, and the upgrade requirement for Howler 2025.
Facts from PD Howler's own pages
- 2025 release limitation
- The maker's Howler 2025 page says that release is available only as an upgrade and requires Howler 2024 installed first. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- 2027 pricing
- The maker's purchase page lists a $17.00 Howler 2027 upgrade and a $19.99 full version sale for the next 10 orders. · pdhowler.com, 11 Oct 2026
- 3D
- The software includes terrain generation, global illumination, ray tracing, and loading Wavefront OBJ files. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Animation and video
- Features include frame-by-frame animation, video frame editing, rotoscoping, chromakeying, compositing, and motion prediction. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The feature list mentions LUA filters, third-party plugins, and a programming API for making add-ons. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Filters
- The feature page lists more than 100 filters, including filters for still images and animations. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker says PD Howler is created for hobbyists and professionals alike. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Other operating systems
- The maker says Mac or Linux use may be possible through virtual machines or Wine, but describes those options as uncertain or not smooth sailing. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Painting
- The feature list includes natural media, customizable brushes, particle and foliage brushes, and pigment lifting. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- PD Howler is digital painting software with tools for video, animation, 3D, and visual effects. · pdhowler.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The downloads page advises users to scan downloaded installers for malware before opening them. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker provides user guides, support documents, and additional help for Howler, with guides also available in Spanish and French. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The program is 32-bit and the maker recommends a 64-bit Windows version, DirectX 11 for GPU support, and a processor with SSE2 support. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The maker offers free demo/trial versions of PD Howler. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Project Dogwaffle is described as a Windows application, and the maker recommends Windows 11 or 10 while also listing Windows 7 and 8.1 as working platforms. · thebest3d.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where PD Howler stands on Freedom251
- Digital Painting Software#41 of 46