OpenToonz

If you are looking for a tool that enables you to draw attention to a product or service, then few things can compete with the engagement level provided by animations. Not only do animations bring weight, depth and width to an idea, but the best part is that the time element is completely under the control of the designer.

OpenToonz is an application that allows you create 2D animations that are compatible with the TWAIN standards and that you can use in a wide variety of projects.

The setup is quick and uneventful, especially since it entails following a few generic steps that you are probably accustomed to. Upon launch, you come face to face with an intuitive GUI that it is unlikely to cause you any issues, even if you do not have too much experience with rendering tools.

You should know that the application includes several modes where you can edit and tweak your scenes or frames according to the specifications of your project. You can preview the sequence of frames, modify the subsampling, alter the color palette or delete your current session by switching between Cleanup, PitEdit, InknPaint or Xsheet.

It is important to note that the program packs several utensils that permit you to control every detail of your scene. In fact, you can configure the parameters for one scene or apply them to a set of frames without too much effort.

As far as the values you can modify are concerned, you will be happy to learn that you are free to alter anything from the line processing, pixels, DPI and antialias to sharpness, brightness, contrast and despeckling. On a side note, the application includes extensive tutorials and guides, but unfortunately, they are only available in Japanese.

If you are looking for a utility that provides you with the basic tools and a flexible environment where you can work on creating 2D storyboards, then OpenToonz might come in handy.