What it does
Quill by Smoothstep is a VR illustration and animation tool with hierarchical layers, several animation methods, spatial audio and production exports.
Quill requires a Windows PC connected to a supported VR headset. It does not run as a standalone Quest painting application. Establish that workstation route before planning an immersive drawing project; the software itself is currently free.
For a short scene in which a painted creature turns towards a sound, organise the character, environment and audio into a clear layer hierarchy. Quill supports frame-by-frame work, keyframes, anim brushes and puppeteering. Choose the method around the motion: a transform can move an established form, while redrawing frames can change its shape and gesture.
The adjustment tools can revise strokes after creation, and production exports include USD, Alembic and FBX. Keep the intended viewing experience in mind when preparing that handoff. A sound placed in 3D space and an image rendered from one fixed camera do different storytelling work, so assess how the scene will be seen and heard in its destination rather than treating the export extension as the whole delivery decision.
Strengths
- Several animation approaches support different kinds of painted movement.
- Layer hierarchies and spatial audio support immersive scene construction.
- USD, Alembic and FBX provide routes into broader production workflows.
Watch out for
- A connected Windows PC is required; standalone headset use is unsupported.
Best for
- Immersive painted stories
- Animating hand-drawn 3D scenes
Sources
- Quill by Smoothstep (Oct 25, 2026)
- Quill Features (Oct 25, 2026)
- Get Quill: Pricing and Requirements (Oct 25, 2026)