If you ever dreamt of animating like the reputed Ghibli Studio, then it’s not a dream anymore. With OpenToonz, you can fulfill your dream easily.
Table of Contents
OpenToonz is a powerful open-source 2D animation software widely used in the animation industry. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and features for creating traditional hand-drawn and computer-generated animations.
Features of OpenToonz
Want to know about the features of this app? Here are the highlighting characteristics of this beloved 2D animation tool-
Perfect Ghibli-style Animation
From the Start of the famous Ghibli Studio movie, Princess Mononoke, it has been used constantly by the production company till the release of Arrietty.
After that, the software has been redesigned for the company but if you want to draw and animate in that style, OpenToonz is the perfect 2D animation tool for you.
GST Implementation
Developed in-house by Ghibli Studio, GST is a scanning tool that can act as a Sequence number scanner. It is compatible with 4 different types of scanning and the settings can be saved for future usage.
Open-Source & Customizable
Being one of the most sought-after animation tools, it does not hold you from any customization. It is an open-source application which means you can freely customize and modify the source code however you wish. You don’t need to worry about any legal issues as it is completely fine to use the modded OpenToonz software for any commercial uses.
Fully Functional SDK
With the customized SKD plugin, you can play with any type of effects you want. Dwango’s machine learning helps you to achieve automatic scenes and effects changes depending on the drawings and animations.
On top of that, you can also modify the incident lighting based on the subject and more.
How to Install OpenToonz on Windows?
You can easily install OpenToonz on most Windows platforms by downloading the official application from here or any other trusted source. Before you choose to install the OpenToonz on your Windows device, check out the requirements so that you don’t run into any problems-
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 or above (32bit or 64bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core CPU at 3 Ghz or more
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Storage: 500 MB or more
Now that you know about the requirements, here is the installation process-
Step 1: After you download the software from here, go to the file destination and double-click on the installer.
Step 2: Select your preferred system language for the software.
Step 3: Accept the terms and conditions.
Step 4: Select the installation folder and hit Next.
Step 5: Select the folder location to install additional OpenToonz tools.
Step 6: You can either select to create a start menu folder and desktop shortcut or not.
Step 7: Finally, click Install to start the installation process.
Step 8: After the installation is finished, you can now launch the software.
Pros of OpenToonz
- Great 2D animation
- GST tool for better sequence scanning
- Multiple effects and themes
- Open-source and free to use
Cons of OpenToonz
- Steep learning curve
Troubleshooting for OpenToonz
Even the very best software has its fair share of bugs and issues. So, if you don’t know how to fix them, you will not be able to be fully productive. So, here are some common problems addressed with proper troubleshooting guidelines.
Constant Crashing on Windows 11
For many Windows 11 users, OpenToonz has been glitchy and freezing up occasionally. While this problem does not have exact troubleshooting techniques, there are some good practices that can prevent future unexpected behaviors-
- Check whether the Windows Defender is turned on or not. If it’s on, then turn off any protective measurements against OpenToonz so that you get better support.
- If you have Autosave turned on in Preferences, then turning it off can help you to reduce the freezing-up issues as reported by some users.
Toggle Onion Skin Shortcut is not Working
Sometimes your Onion Skin shortcut will not work when you start to edit or customize your sketches. However, you can easily fix that issue.
Troubleshooting for Onion Shortcut not Working:
To make the shortcut work, you need to first select the shortcut from the picture above and then select the activate onion shortcut from the settings menu.
You need to click the Onion Skin bar at the top of the timeline to activate the fixed (blue dot) or relative (red/green dot) Onion Skin Toggle for this shortcut to work on a series of frames.
FAQs
Can I import my existing artwork into OpenToonz?
Yes, it supports the import of various file formats, including raster-based images (such as PNG, JPEG, and TIFF) and vector-based graphics (such as SVG and AI files).
Does OpenToonz have a user-friendly interface?
It has a comprehensive interface that may require a learning curve for beginners. However, it provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and a supportive community to assist users in understanding and utilizing the software effectively.
Can I create animations with sound in OpenToonz?
Yes, OpenToonz supports audio integration, allowing you to import audio files and synchronize them with your animations. You can also use the software’s lip-syncing tools to match mouth movements with dialogue.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Everything that you have ever dreamt of making Ghibli-style animation is now very close to reality. You just have to get familiar with the interface and then you efficiently make your one Ghibli-like animation!
Don’t think too much and download the software today!