What it does
OpenToonz is free, open-source software for making 2D animation from scanned drawings or digital artwork. It combines palette-based colouring, an exposure sheet and timeline, camera animation and compositing effects. The project permits both commercial and non-commercial productions.
From drawings to a finished scene
OpenToonz can scan and clean up hand-drawn frames, or create animation drawings directly. Palette styles are linked to lines and filled areas, so changing a colour updates all artwork that uses that style.
Arrange the drawings as columns in the Xsheet to set their timing. Camera and object movement use keyframes, while the node tree combines effects such as blurs, masks and lights. The production manual describes both traditional ink-and-paint work and a paperless workflow with reusable character parts.
Downloads and video output
OpenToonz code uses the New BSD licence, and using the software for commercial projects does not require a licence fee. The separate GTS scanning tool is Windows-only.
MP4 and WebM rendering require FFmpeg to be installed and its location set under File > Preferences > Import/Export. After restarting, the formats appear under Render > Output Settings. This extra setup is worth checking before planning a video delivery.
Strengths
- Palette edits update every linked line and filled area
- Xsheet and timeline views support drawn animation timing
- Traditional scanning and paperless production are both covered
Watch out for
- GTS scanning is only available on Windows
- MP4 and WebM export need a separate FFmpeg installation
Best for
- Animators colouring scanned drawings
- Teams building reusable 2D character animation
Sources
- OpenToonz official project (Oct 27, 2026)
- OpenToonz production workflow (Oct 27, 2026)
- Using FFmpeg with OpenToonz (Oct 27, 2026)