TVPaint Animation review

TVPaint Animation is a bitmap animation program that aims to reproduce the traditional, paper-based drawing experience as closely as possible. The Standard edition of version 12 includes a modular interface, layer folders, a custom brush engine with a Dual Papers system for multitextured brushes, a Light Table with an Out of Pegs feature, a Pegs Stabilizer and a Scan Cleaner for drawings made on paper. The Professional edition adds CTG layers for fast colorization, Puppet Layers for bitmap rigging and automatic in-betweens, a Warp tool, storyboarding with shots, scenes and PDF export, a key-based 2D Camera, an Image Library and the TVPaint Converter for batch work. TVPaint is sold as a one-time purchase, and its trial covers every Professional feature with no time limit, though you cannot save or export. Prices depend on the country chosen in the shop, so the USD figure is pending. Riggers will get more from Moho or Harmony.

Who it is for

Traditional animators who want a paper-like digital workflow

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending); one-time purchase of Standard or Professional.

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Light Table with an Out of Pegs feature, Pegs Stabilizer and Scan Cleaner
• Custom brush engine with a Dual Papers system for multitextured brushes
• CTG layers for fast colorization in Professional
• Puppet Layers for bitmap rigging and automatic in-betweens in Professional
• Storyboarding tools, key-based 2D Camera and TVPaint Converter in Professional

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: One-time purchase, with free technical support answered in 24 to 72 hours
• Strength: Trial tests all Professional features with no time limit
• Strength: Built to reproduce traditional paper animation closely
• Weakness: The trial cannot save or export projects
• Weakness: Rigging and storyboards are only in the Professional edition
• Weakness: Prices require choosing a country on the shop page

Key facts

• Current version: TVPaint Animation 12
• Editions: Standard, Professional
• Trial: No time limit; saving and export disabled

Where it ranks

TVPaint Animation is No. 9 in our Best 2D Animation Software verdict.