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Animation Paper review

#72 of 106 in Animation Software2D Character Animation Software

A focused frame-by-frame animation tool with strong timing, playback and export features.

3.0/10Editor score
Try Animation Paper
Animation Paper3.0 Try Animation Paper

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Animation Paper is desktop software for traditional, hand-drawn animation, aimed at artists and animators who work frame by frame. Its toolset combines drawing and inking, real-time flipping and playback, onion skinning, color-coded layers, an exposure sheet, audio handling, reference footage and rotoscoping support. Windows, macOS and Linux coverage also makes it suitable for teams or individuals working across those desktop platforms.

The strongest part of Animation Paper is its timing and drawing workflow. The exposure sheet supports timing, annotations, editing and reuse, while audio import, playback and scrubbing help align animation with sound. A customizable light table supports onion skinning, and reference layers include transformation controls. Video and frame-stack import provide reference and rotoscoping options. These features make the software a focused choice for traditional animation rather than a general-purpose motion graphics package.

The export and ecosystem options broaden its practical fit. Animation Paper can export MP4, GIF, ProRes MOV, PNG and OpenEXR frame sequences, along with Open Cell Animation data for interoperability. Listed integrations include After Effects, Blender, Fusion, Krita, OpenToonz, Tahoma, Clip Studio Paint and Toei Animation Digital Exposure Sheet. The official site currently distributes Animation Paper v5.0 Beta 3 for free; the planned finished Animation Paper 5.0 release is stated at $79 as a one-time purchase, with future point updates planned as free updates. Artists seeking a dedicated hand-drawn workflow should consider it, while those prioritizing coloring tools or a broader animation pipeline may prefer another option.

Animation Paper pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Responsive drawing, flipping, playback and customizable onion skinning
    • Exposure sheet supports timing, annotations, editing and reuse
    • Exports MP4, GIF, ProRes MOV, PNG, OpenEXR and OCA
  • Where it doesn't
    • Coloring tools are planned for a future free update
    • The finished v5.0 release is planned at a $79 one-time price
    • Its feature set is centered on frame-by-frame animation

Animation Paper fact sheet, pricing and score →

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