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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsKrita animation is built frame by frame: create an animated layer, add drawings on the timeline, use onion skins to compare poses, preview the timing, then render an image sequence or video. This walkthrough follows Krita Manual 5.3.0’s animation workflow; its 1280 × 1024 canvas and 4 fps walk-cycle settings are examples, not requirements.
1. Set up a document and open the Animation workspace
Create a new document at the canvas size you need. Krita Manual 5.3.0 uses 1280 × 1024 pixels at 72 dpi for its walk-cycle example, but you can choose different dimensions for your project. Open Window > Workspace > Animation to switch to the Animation workspace and display the Animation Timeline Docker. See Krita’s Animation Timeline reference.
Before drawing, separate the animated subject from anything that should stay still. Put the animation on its own paint layer and use another layer for a static background or environment. Leave areas around the moving drawing transparent: white pixels are opaque white, not transparency, and will cover content beneath them.
2. Create the first frame on an animated layer
A regular paint layer does not become animated merely because you move the current-frame marker. Select the layer you want to animate, then use the timeline to add a frame. Krita’s animation walkthrough demonstrates adding frames and drawing on them.
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- Select the intended animation layer and choose the starting frame on the timeline.
- Use the timeline’s Create Blank Frame command when you want an empty frame, then draw the first pose.
- Use Create Duplicate Frame when you want to carry the current drawing forward as a starting point for the next frame.
These commands have different outcomes: a duplicate preserves the existing drawing content, while a blank frame starts empty and removes the current layer’s content at that frame. Choose deliberately so you do not accidentally erase a pose or carry it forward when you meant to start fresh.
3. Draw key poses, then add inbetweens
Plan the action as a few important positions, or key poses, before drawing all the frames between them. In a walk cycle, for example, the key poses establish how the body and limbs are positioned at the main points of the step. Inbetweens are the drawings that connect those poses and make the movement flow.
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On the timeline, create frames for the key poses. Duplicate a pose when it is a useful base for the next drawing, then alter the copied drawing to show the next position. Add further drawings between the key poses to smooth the transition. Krita’s official walk-cycle example follows this approach, but the number of frames and the amount of detail depend on the motion you want.
4. Use onion skins to compare nearby drawings
Onion skins show drawings from neighboring frames over the current one, helping you judge spacing and direction of motion. Enable onion skins for the animated layer, then use the Onion Skin Docker to choose which previous and next frames appear and adjust their tint and opacity. Krita documents the controls in its Onion Skin Docker reference.
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If a supposedly empty area obscures another drawing, check that it is actually transparent rather than painted white. Onion skins work with an animated layer that has transparency; white remains visible as white.
5. Preview the animation and adjust timing
Use the playback controls in the Animation Timeline Docker to preview the sequence. Adjust the frame rate in the timeline when the movement feels too slow or too fast, then preview again. Krita’s walk-cycle walkthrough uses 4 frames per second as an instructional example; it is not a universal animation setting. The timeline reference describes its frame-rate and playback controls.
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Krita’s frame-by-frame workflow keeps frames in memory. As the manual puts it, “Krita is specialized in frame by frame animation, and because of this Krita keeps all the frames in memory.” A long sequence or large canvas can therefore be demanding; keep the scale and length appropriate for the device and project.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Render an image sequence or a video
When the animation is ready, choose File > Render Animation. The right output depends on how you will use the result:
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| Output | Best suited to | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Image sequence | Keeping or processing individual rendered frames | Choose the desired dimensions and scaling filter. Each frame is a separate image, which can be useful for inspecting or replacing a specific frame. |
| Video or animated format | A ready-to-play output such as GIF, MP4, or MKV | Available formats depend on the render settings and encoders. Set the desired dimensions and frame rate, and retain the generated image sequence if you want the intermediate frames. |
For video output, Krita first renders a PNG image sequence and then encodes it. If the video has a faulty frame, the intermediate sequence can help identify the problem and let you rerender without treating the final video as a single opaque result. The manual’s Render Animation reference explains the export settings.
Encoder and platform notes
Krita 5.2 and later bundles limited FFmpeg functionality, so an external FFmpeg installation is not required for every video export. The bundled encoder supports selected containers and codecs; configuring an external FFmpeg can provide additional options. On Android, the manual says Krita does not use FFmpeg and video rendering works through the operating system.
Video transparency is not supported by Krita’s renderer; transparent areas appear black. Add an opaque background layer before rendering if the output needs a solid background. The manual also warns that dimensions above 1920 pixels and frame rates above 30 are not widely supported and may fail or play poorly on some devices. Treat those as compatibility cautions, not strict limits that apply to every system.
Importing footage or an image sequence
Krita can import image sequences and video. Importing video expands compressed footage into frames and can use substantial memory, so heed Krita’s capacity warning before proceeding. The Import Animation reference covers the available import workflow.
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