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Pencil2D

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Free, open-source hand-drawn 2D animation software

Animation Software
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Pencil2D screenshot See all screenshots
  • Deployment On Premises
  • Starting price Free
  • Free trial Not offered
  • Best for Freelancers, Startups

What is Pencil2D?

Pencil2D is a free and open-source animation tool designed to make traditional hand-drawn 2D animation simple and accessible. It supports both raster and vector workflows so artists can sketch, ink, and paint within the same project, and includes onion skinning for smoother in-betweening as well as camera layers for basic pans and zooms.

The software is lightweight, with a minimal interface intended to keep beginners, students, and hobbyists focused on animating rather than navigating menus. It is completely free to use, even commercially, runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, and exports to formats including GIF, MP4, AVI, WebM, APNG, and image sequences.

Key Features of Pencil2D

Pencil2D lists 8 documented features, including Combined raster and vector drawing workflow, Onion skinning for in-betweening and Camera layers for pans and zooms. The list below covers what the product does rather than how it is marketed.

  • Combined raster and vector drawing workflow
  • Onion skinning for in-betweening
  • Camera layers for pans and zooms
  • Timeline with layers, keyframes, and sound track
  • Export to GIF, MP4, AVI, WebM, APNG
  • Lightweight, minimal interface
  • Cross-platform desktop support
  • Completely free, including for commercial use

Pencil2D Pricing

Pencil2D lists one plan, at Free.

Free

Free

Unlimited

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Fully open source, free for personal and commercial use

Pencil2D Specifications

Pencil2D is available on Windows and macOS. It has a free plan.

Deployment
  • On Premises
Billing cycle
Onetime
Desktop
  • Windows
  • macOS
Languages
  • English
Built for
  • Freelancers
  • Startups
Public API
No
Free trial
No
Free plan
Yes
Runs in browser
No
Customisable
No
Website
pencil2d.org

Pencil2D Videos

Pencil2D Screenshots

Pencil2D screenshot 1

Pencil2D Reviews

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Pencil2D FAQs

Yes, Pencil2D is open source and completely free to use, including for commercial projects.

Yes, it supports switching between raster and vector workflows within the same project.

Pencil2D runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD.

Yes, its minimal interface is designed to help beginners and students focus on animation fundamentals like timing and motion.

No, reviewers have noted it lacks advanced keyframe easing/curve controls found in more complex animation software.