Toonz

2D animation software

OpenToonzDeveloper(s)| Dwango[1]

|

Initial release| March 26, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-03-26)
Stable release|

1.7.1 / May 9, 2023; 14 months ago (2023-05-09)[2]

Repository|

* github.com/opentoonz/opentoonz

Written in| C++ (Qt[3])
Operating system| Linux,[4] macOS, Microsoft Windows
Platform| x86, x86-64
Type| 2D animation software
License| Open-source (BSD license)[5]
Website| opentoonz.github.io/e/
Toonz PremiumDeveloper(s)| Digital Video S.p.a.

|

Initial release| 1993; 31 years ago (1993)
Stable release|

7.3[6]

Repository|

* github.com/opentoonz/opentoonz

Written in| C++ (Qt)[3]
Operating system| macOS, Microsoft Windows
Platform| x86, x86-64
Type| 2D animation software
License| Proprietary
Website| www.toonzpremium.com

Toonz is a 2D animation software program. The base application is currently managed by Dwango as open-source software under the name OpenToonz.[1] An extended commercial variant for professional individuals and studios, Toonz Premium, is being developed and marketed by Digital Video S.p.A.[5] Toonz has been used by studios such as Studio Ghibli[7] and Rough Draft Studios.[8]

## Release History

[edit]

### Toonz 3.0

[edit]

Developed in 1993 for the IRIX operating system, Toonz was created and registered as a trademark.[9] An exclusive distribution agreement was signed with Softimage,[10] which distributed it as Creative Toonz. One year later, the product was used in some productions such as Amblimation's Balto.[8]

### Toonz 4.0

[edit]

After Microsoft acquired Softimage, Toonz was optimized to run on Windows so that it could be marketed as Microsoft Toonz.[11][non-primary source needed] Toonz underwent improvements on the tools and user interface for traditional cel animators. New features included the Pencil Test module, the Palette Editor, the Xsheet, the Ink and Paint module, and the Flip module,[clarification needed] as well as more customizability by adding separate modules for scanning and rendering.

### Toonz 5.0

[edit]

Toonz 5.0 Harlequin now supported vector graphics, with continued support for raster graphics, either generated inside the program or scanned in from paper to allow users to step into paperless animation[citation needed]. Toonz was also made compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X for the first time.[12]

### Toonz 6.0 Harlequin and Bravo

[edit]

Version 6.0 was made available as Toonz Harlequin, created in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, for traditional (with scanned graphics) and paperless animation workflows;[7] and Toonz Bravo for paperless workflows only.

### Toonz 6.3 ML

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Version 6.3 ML ("ML" for "multi-language") introduced non-English language support. Other new features included raster-vector conversion, palette styles, and options for rendering image sequences and video clips. More specifically, Toonz Bravo 6.3 ML got animation libraries for characters and props; palettes with linked styles and smart color models; animation levels with numerically controlled transformation, links and dependencies among pegbars, cameras and table; visual effects, including a 2D particle engine; and batch rendering with render farms. Toonz Harlequin 6.3 ML also allowed paper drawings to be scanned, colorized, and refined within it.

### Toonz 6.4 ML

[edit]

Version 6.4 was still available as Toonz Harlequin and Toonz 6.4 Bravo!, with improvements on the Cleanup module and previewing, the new Black & White mode of scanning, editable DPI parameters, a new algorithm for the Raster-to-Vector Converter, the Interactive Color Editing and the Smart FX Schematic Editing.[13][non-primary source needed]

### Toonz 7.0

[edit]

Version 7.0 introduced new features such as mesh deformation with bones, the ECMAScripts support for automation, new effects, drawing cleanup, symmetric backgrounds, 3D stereoscopic rendering among others.[14][non-primary source needed]

### Open-sourcing

[edit]

On March 19, 2016, it was announced that Toonz would be released as free and open-source software as OpenToonz.[15] The source code of OpenToonz was released under the BSD license to a GitHub repository on March 26, 2016.[3][16][17] Digital Video will also continue to develop and market a Toonz Premium version.[5] The source code has also been forked by other projects, such as Tahoma2D which focuses on ease of use, [18] as well as a custom made version for the Morevna Project.[19]

## Usage

[edit]

### For films and TV

[edit]

* Princess Mononoke[20]
* My Neighbors the Yamadas[citation needed]
* Spirited Away[21]
* Howl's Moving Castle (film)[15]
* Ponyo[15]
* Arrietty[citation needed]
* Mary and the Witch's Flower (OpenToonz)[22][23][24][25]

* Balto[8]
* Logobelly[citation needed]
* Anastasia[26]
* Futurama[citation needed]
* SpongeBob SquarePants[27]
* The Maxx[15]
* Titan A.E.[citation needed]
* Aida of the Trees[citation needed]
* Asterix Conquers America[citation needed]
* Steven Universe[28]

|

### For video games

[edit]

* Discworld 2[29]
* Claw[30]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Here's Where To Download OpenToonz, Studio Ghibli's Free Animation Software". Cartoon Brew. 27 March 2016.
2. ^ "Release OpenToonz V1.7.1".
3. ^ a b c "LXer: Toonz is Open Sourced (OpenToonz) and source code is ready for download!".
4. ^ "opentoonz/opentoonz".
5. ^ a b c "Toonz goes Open source". Archived from the original on 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
6. ^ "Toonz Premium 7.3 at MIFA". Archived from the original on 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
7. ^ a b Moody, Annemarie (2009-07-14). "Studio Ghibli, Digital Video Team on Toonz". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
8. ^ a b c "Interview with Serena Guidobaldi" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-11.
9. ^ "Toonz". Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). United States Patent and Trademark Office. January 23, 1996. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
10. ^ "TheFreeLibrary". TheFreeLibrary. 1995-01-06. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
11. ^ "TheFreeLibrary". TheFreeLibrary. 1995-08-08. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
12. ^ "DesignTaxi". DesignTaxi. 2006-01-26. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
13. ^ "Toonz 6.4 Datasheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-08.
14. ^ "Toonz 7.0 Datasheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-08.
15. ^ a b c d Amid Amidi (3 March 2016). "Toonz Software Used by Studio Ghibli and 'Futurama' Being Made Free and Open Source". Cartoon Brew.
16. ^ "OpenToonz".
17. ^ opentoonz on github.com
18. ^ Editorial Team (25 December 2021). "OpenToonz VS Tahoma 2D - Ultimate Head-to-Head Comparison". Inspiration Tuts.
19. ^ Stephen Egts (7 February 2017). "OpenToonz: Making high-end animation software accessible". Opensource.com.
20. ^ The Art of Princess Mononoke, Page 169
21. ^ Piero Angela. Superquark Matematica e Cartoni Animati con Digital Video Toonz. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
22. ^ "Mary & The Witch's Flower 1st Film to Use Free OpenToonz Animation Software". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
23. ^ "'Mary and The Witch's Flower' First Feature to Use OpenToonz Software". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
24. ^ "'Mary And The Witch's Flower' Was Made With Free OpenToonz Animation Software". Cartoon Brew. 2017-08-24. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
25. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2017-07-25). "'Mary and the Witch's Flower' Is First Feature Made in OpenToonz". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
26. ^ Oscar Cosulich. "Ecco Anastasia principessa Fox". La Repubblica. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
27. ^ https://www.sbmania.net/forums/threads/the-deal-with-toonz-premium-and-toon-boom.64761/
28. ^ Jones-Quartey, Ian (2013-11-11). "Hey hey! I hope you don't mind me asking but…". Tumblr. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
29. ^ "Section 3.1". Lspace.org. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
30. ^ "Interview with Donald Wallace" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-08.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Website for Toonz Premium 7.2 and later
* Historic website for Toonz versions up to 7.1[1]
* OpenToonz on GitHub

* v
* t
* e

Motion graphics and animation software

|  | 2D (list)  | 3D (list)  | Mix

|
|
|

Free and open-source |

* Ajax Animator
* Animator Pro
* TupiTube
* SWFTools
* Synfig
* OpenToonz
* Papagayo
* Pencil2D
* Krita
* Glaxnimate

* 3D Movie Maker
* Art of Illusion
* OpenFX
* Seamless3d
* Toonloop

* Blender

Closed-source | Freeware |

* FlipaClip
* Pivot Animator

* Clara.io
* Daz Studio
* MikuMikuDance
* Source Filmmaker

Commercial  |

* Adobe Animate
* Adobe Character Animator
* Antics 2-D Animation
* Clip Studio Paint
* DigiCel FlipBook
* Live2D
* Moho (Anime Studio)
* Motion Live 2D
* ParticleIllusion
* CrazyTalk
* Toon Boom
* Toonz
* TVPaint

* Autodesk 3ds Max
* Autodesk Maya
* Autodesk MotionBuilder
* iClone
* Bryce
* Carrara
* Cinema 4D
* Houdini
* LightWave 3D
* MASSIVE
* Moviestorm
* Shark 3D
* Strata 3D

* Adobe After Effects
* Adobe Photoshop
* Autodesk Flame
* Blackmagic Fusion
* Motion
* Nuke

Discontinued / Legacy  |

* Autodesk Animator
* Animo
* DrawPlus
* Fantavision
* Gryphon Software Morph
* iAd Producer
* Pegs
* SWiSH Max
* RETAS
* USAnimation

* Autodesk Softimage
* Dynamation
* Messiah
* Softimage 3D
* Swift 3D

* Adobe Director
* Avid Elastic Reality

1. ^ "Toonz Harlequin 7.1". Retrieved 31 December 2016.

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