What it does
TVPaint Animation is bitmap-based 2D animation software with custom brushes and tools for drawing or cleaning up scanned frames. Standard and Professional editions are sold as one-time purchases. Its free trial exposes Professional features but cannot save or export any work.
Standard or Professional?
Standard includes the Light Table, Scan Cleaner, Pegs Stabilizer and Dual Papers brush textures. Professional adds Puppet Layers for bitmap rigging, CTG Layers for smart colourization, storyboarding and a 2D camera. These differences matter if your project uses reusable puppets or automated colouring.
Trial, licence and output
The trial has no time limit, but anything drawn in it cannot be saved or exported. Paid downloads are available through a TVPaint user account, with activation instructions sent after purchase. CodeMeter is installed with the application and is required for licence management.
In a licensed copy, File > Export to opens controls for a single image, numbered sequence or animation. Available formats include PNG, JPG, TIF, AVI, GIF, MOV and MP4.
Use the pricing page to select your country and edition. Educational offers require proof of enrolment or employment; studios and schools can request a quotation.
Strengths
- Standard includes scan cleanup and peg stabilization
- Brushes can combine two paper textures
- Export settings can retain a chosen frame range for the project
Watch out for
- The trial cannot preserve or export your drawings
- Puppet Layers and CTG colourization require Professional
- Windows ARM and Linux Wayland are not supported
Best for
- Frame-by-frame bitmap animation
- Studios moving scanned drawings into digital production
Sources
- TVPaint Animation: editions and system requirements (Oct 27, 2026)
- TVPaint Animation features and trial restrictions (Oct 27, 2026)
- TVPaint Animation product prices (Oct 27, 2026)
- TVPaint frequently asked questions (Oct 27, 2026)
- TVPaint file export overview (Oct 27, 2026)