OpenToonz Lesson 2 - Basic Animation

OpenToonz is a professional, 2D illustration and animation program for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
You can download OpenToonz here:
opentoonz.github.io/e/
Find more great free software at tjfree.com/

[@superatech]

Tried a different drawing program, watched a half a dozen videos with absolutely no results. I uninstalled that drawing program, installed Open Toonz and watched your video and came away with some basic knowledge and a working animation. I am very grateful to you. I almost gave up before your video and thought I had spent money on a tablet all for nothing. Thanks again- it means the world to me.

[@ghita4272]

yes,you're right

[@vezirmertcan]

Almost same here. I hope you continue your drawing.

[@DominicJacksonFilm]

yeah this guys really good bceause I saw other videos about opentoonz and it did not really get into the nitty gritty of how to do these things we will need to do contantly to make animation

[@jaakkojauho5211]

I have been avoiding animating for years bc the programs look so difficult but this video made it all so easy. Thank you!

[@urban.nomad23]

Looked at a number of animation programs, and watched a couple of tutorials and had no result. I spent 2 days looking around for a way to learn and almost fainted. Then I found your video and learnt the basics within a few minutes. Thank you very much!!

[@cubbleshasreturned6968]

i was so happy to find out you did open toonz tutorials as well. literally before searching i was saying to myself i wish tj free did tutorial on this because your videos are short and get right to the point on what i want to learn

[@TJFREE]

That's great to hear. Happy to help!

[@SanLLL]

@@TJFREE can you please Tell me how to turn on onion skin in opentoonz

[@-hollythekitsune-7086]

@@SanLLL press the red or green half or both and a yellow dot will appear and you click that and boom smelly onion

[@SanLLL]

@@-hollythekitsune-7086 thx, but i dont use opentoon anymore

[@-hollythekitsune-7086]

@@SanLLL .-.

[@tusharkadam4390]

Its a miracle that you have knowledge to use so many different softwares. THANK YOU FOR VIDEOS

[@phaeus_nikola2057]

Much appreciate your detailed tutorial. thanks....

[@novatea2009]

Wait what ?

[@triggercore5812]

hey can you subscribe me please

[@jpwhjg]

@@triggercore5812 No! :D

[@anika-leeadams3617]

I'm super stoked about this tutorial! Your tutorial is by far the most elite of what's out there!

[@Nick-pc4in]

This has been an extremely insightful tutorial, and it's only the first part! I look forward to learning so much more from this series!

[@RohoTheCat]

Hey there. These are great tutorials! I downloaded OpenToonz and the first time I open it, I have different tabs at the top right. You have Basics, Cleanup, Drawing, Timeline, Animations, Palette, Xsheet, Browser and Farm. I have Drawing, cleanup, Palette, InknPaint, Animation, Schematic, Xsheet, Tasks and Browser. How can I add the missing ones (Basics and Timeline)? I can't really follow your tutorials without them. Thanks.

[@cadcoke5]

The current version has the render menu as its own pull-down between Play and View. (this should be made a sticky). Also, be forewarned that installing FFMpeg is a surprisingly difficult process. Someone really should make a simple, one-click way to get and install it. And, thanks for the great tutorial.

[@Rustic1990]

This kept me from posting this question

[@itspaphy]

What exactly am i looking for in the files? Does it say FFMpeg? 😢

[@MelonLemon007]

My first animation was made with macromedia flash and that was way back in 2004, and thank you for this tutorial, appreciate it

[@MrsLilLady86]

Me too! It was also 2004 for me as a senior in high school. I want to do animations again now as a hobby.

[@rey_x1]

bro i have been so frustrated trying to learn this site and how to upload files etc until i found this series thank you so much bro

[@alexpataco2626]

Thank you sir. I really appreciate your time and effort to produce this video. Been wanting to put my ideas into animation for the longest time. SO excited to start this journey. May you have peace, love and wisdom brother.

[@neato0000]

i'm new to animating in pc, and i was just looking for a software to animate and i found your youtube channel, this is very helpful for me as a beginner. thank you very much TJ FREE!!

[@-hollythekitsune-7086]

if only flipaclip was on mac lol

[@imrankhan-yx5cp]

tired of opentoonz no one teaching the right things suddenly I thought of TJ FREE where I learnt the pencil 2d software I got what I was expecting. thanks my Allah give your more power to help others

[@dwillmml]

Your tutorials are awesome, very basic and cover everything for the point. GREAT!!!

[@charlesbaden]

I wanted to thank you very much for your tutorials about OpenToonz. They were an excellent help for me. By these and other tutorials I was able to create a quite presentable little video (at least in my opinion ;) ) although I am a bloody beginner in making cartoons.

[@adityasaraf389]

this guy is very amazing man he really helped me with my school project love you!

[@BaronsHistoryTimes]

Render issues; Not sure why TJ didn't add a fuller explanation on ffmpeg since many having issues; First - there is a good pdf document explaining opentoonz and ffmpeg install fully in its own ' chapter 2' google; "OpenToonz DocumentationRelease 1.4.0" - see chapter 2 Specifically, ffmpeg instructions in chapter 2 show how to set up the ffmpeg downloaded files. Follow those instructions exactly; basically you will set up a folder and put the specified downloaded files in that filder. The next complicated part is following further instructions so that in the opentoonz ffmpeg 'files settings' area specified in the document, you SHOULD make sure you have the MP4 file selected/ highlighted, so that the option of 'fast render MP4 ' can activate properly. Follow the document instructions exactly - that's all I can say. I'm no expert on the software so I can't help any further. The folder where you save mp4 projects can be found and set up via the 'render' menu's 'output settings' section under 'file settings' there.

[@m0nique777]

this helped me understand the software so much better. Now im able to do my animations with much more ease now!

[@snwdn]

You are really good at counting seconds.

[@umair00746]

From today i am learning animation to create video for you tube and find your information usefull. Keep up the good work. Appriciated

[@TJFREE]

Thanks and good luck!

[@MrVipulLal]

Lovely channel. Binge watched all your videos. Thanks!

[@sanmiguelarchangel]

very informative im learning this new programs, but some options are missing in my file preferences but these tutorial is a blessing! thanks a lot

[@triggercore5812]

wow you are a ledgend no one explained it like you did . great man. i made my first animation with your help I have put in my channel

[@Eradifyerao]

You've hooked me! I had no idea there was an opensource vector animation program.....

[@Praveenkallumala]

Really appreciate the simple and very informative lessons . Thank you

[@TJFREE]

You're welcome!

[@a_cats_hairball]

So I wanted to become an animator and I saw this app, I saw your video and it helped me so much

[@pedromazzillo]

That "ffmpeg" issue was kinda tough. But ultimately i solved it. Thank you so much for your tutorials!

[@TheUnofficialFIFA]

Thanks dude I've been here since vid1 I think it's good to know guys like u exist #straight to the point please dont click on the straight it's a mistake

[@mnqobithusi1434]

That was just great and straight forward, could'nt ask for a better video thanks alot

[@PulloffPrime]

in 1.7, render is located on the top toolbar instead. render > fast render. shortcut for fast render is Alt + R

[@ManyMany-vg8lc]

Your explanation is simple, to the point and clear. Thanks

[@rosaliya3827]

Thank you! Very easy to understand! Hundreds thanks !

[@practicalhistorian]

I love you content. Thank you for creating and sharing. I find your videos for helpful. Thanks!

[@timekeeper9417]

most helpful tutorial i have found! good job dude :)

[@TJFREE]

Thanks!

[@crediblehawkin]

ty learning this program is easier because of you

[@HangLe-es8hq]

Thank you for making such an easy to fpllow tutorial video! Hope you the best

[@rupeshnautiyal2673]

Great, Amazing, that's the knowledge we wanted

[@Genet665]

Great Video. Thanks a lot! I followed your steps from video 1 of the installation to this first time attempt video. Super helpful sofar...

[@TJFREE]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@eisflamme2438]

Thank you for this tutorial, it was very helpful!

[@matoesjkastienstra4439]

I have a question about your lessons. I have watched them all and I think they are fantastic. BUT starting to practice I have a problem in lesson two. You start drawing in Basics. I cannot find basics. Your bar looks different then my bar on Apple. Your bar: basics, cleanup, drawing, timeline, animation, palette, x sheet, browser an farm. My bar shows: drawing cleanup, palette, inknpaint, animation, schematic, x sheet, tasks and browser. How do I open basics? Is it important or can I use drawings? With regards Matoesjka

[@crnjacprodukcija]

same

[@animation3295]

thanks bro you are great i saw your pencil 2d tutorial and it was amazing .thanks a lot !!!!

[@imranafzal411]

Dear, you are a very nice and good teacher......i like you

[@thatwelshmun.3410]

In this episode you mention about being able to convert to mp4 as you said you dont have it so you used mov instead i dont have either how do i install those. as im currently rendering to png and then useing shot cut to put it togeather

[@efranwolfram]

i had various problems with the program i used before (Krita) and Oentoonz is the best alternative i found. Thx for explaining it

[@-hollythekitsune-7086]

same though firealpaca id a good one too if you want more simple navigation

[@nitroall]

boss thank you,love from turkey

[@burpbug5119]

I have a question. I'm wanting to use this to make animation that goes along with audio. Is there a way to put an audio track into this program so I could animate along with it?

[@TJFREE]

Good question. Yes, you can just drag and drop the audio file into the timelime / xsheet and it will import in on its own column.

[@Cgour]

thank you, thats so much help to make my day good:)

[@timothydonnelly9038]

Very helpful video. Will take tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@glob567]

LMAO ffmpg in the bin, thanks for the tutorial doe, have a good one to yall

[@temidayoomomomi6271]

i want to say a very big thank you for the tutorials, please does opentoonz select data tablets , i use a huion H610pro, i noticed that whenever am using the tab its shows select option which makes the experience stressful for me.

[@user-cp1rx1gz9q]

Hello, and thank you for these tutorials. They are very helpful. I have a question...Is it possible to change the field size of the field guide from 16 fields to 12 fields?

[@kavishpatel09]

thanks it helped me a lot

[@Rayhero]

I am already lost at the beginning. The second that i draw something, it zooms everything in, and everything is like broken or something. My color palette doesn’t appear at the start and I have tried to turn it on but i just get more and more confused. I have absolutely no idea what’s going on right now and i need some help

[@mucknstrunz]

Hello and thanks for the great tutorial. I have one question though. When i go to File to render my animation there is no option to render at all? Am I misssing some component?

[@-hollythekitsune-7086]

its at the top instead of the file thingy

[@DrunkenUFOPilot]

It's in a new top-level menu, after File, Edit, ..., there is now Render and in that you find the Render command and Fast Render. Same keyboard shortcuts should work.

[@Rik916]

I couldn't find the ""basicis" room in the programn- It just came up with Drawing, Cleanup, Palette, InknPaint, Animation, Schematic, Xsheet, Tasks and Browser, I downloaded the most recent version of it so- idk whats up with that, I'm very new to animation so- mind if I could get some help with that? Thx!

[@girdharsomani1149]

Did you find any solution for this?

[@BradBrown95]

This is a Great Video and Ty so much XD

[@soundsstuff2214]

These are great tutorials as I am a beginner, however I think these videos are little outdated now for the new version of the software, are you doing any updated tutorials at all please? That would be great. I'm stuck you see how to save the clip and convert to MP4 File.

[@elijah6595]

I am on mac and have ffmpeg installed in my downloads, but when I tell OpenToonz ffmpeg is in downloads, after rebooting the software, i'm told it can't find ffmpeg! I NEED HELP!

[@BaronsHistoryTimes]

google; "OpenToonz DocumentationRelease 1.4.0" - see chapter 2

[@aharnishtripathi7094]

What you have to do is put ffmpeg in your applications, then in opentoonz, go to preferences, and make your directory applications for ffmpeg. Then restart and try exporting. Hope this helps! 😁

[@DipoKolo]

Thank you so much for your videos

[@SuperEdgem]

Can I say something..teacher to teacher ?... You are a good teacher..

[@thegirlytransmaiden1614]

Thank you! This is so much easier to use then Krita.

[@-hollythekitsune-7086]

i was just thinking that XD

[@byan2624]

thanks, this was really helpful

[@samdavepollard]

very nice thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@feralbxte]

This helps but I need help with the playback lag. I don't press enter and I'm at 26 fps.

[@user-mw1rf8un2i]

Loved the video- is there a tutorial for the FFmpeg? I can't seem to work that part out

[@zainalhammouri6930]

Thank you 🙏🏻🌸

[@PraveenAV]

Great tutorials!

[@leaocarvalho]

my basics screen (or any other, for that matter) doesn´t show the 'render' option under the 'file' button. how do i render in that case?

[@SujiKumara8]

I have an issue with exporting the file because they are asking FFMPEG. Is there a website which I can download FFMPEG? I'm using a Windows 10 computer.

[@TJFREE]

Yes, I have a video on how to do it, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnWck4R7abdpm6M some steps may have changed since then, but it should give a general idea of whats involved.

[@flipletape9706]

Nice tutorial! But if I can give some feedback. The very first thing you should probably teach is how to save your project. If you don't save your palettes and levels separately, you'll open your file and realize that you lost most of your work lol

[@lordfirst3419]

they added a lot of bells and whistles four years later, but this tutorial is awesome and relevant. vs 1.7.1 goes hard though

[@activemotionpictures]

Wow! Fantastic! Thank you for your review on this one. Is this going to get to the part where it will show us the power of hierarchy and nested comps?

[@TJFREE]

Thanks. Yes, I'll keep going as far as I'm comfortable. I have 6 tutorials made so far in this series. I really want to do this program justice, and its challenging since I'm not an illustrator, so I'm reaching out to a few people that can help in this area.

[@activemotionpictures]

@@TJFREE I am an illustrator myself. 2D animator. What do you need? My artstation: artstation/3dcinetv

[@TJFREE]

@Activemotionpictures Wow really great work. A simple 2D character that I could use to demonstrate rigging and skeleton tool would be nice. I could also use a background scene / image with separate layers to show the parallax effect. Also open to suggestions.

[@activemotionpictures]

@@TJFREE I saw that "import artwork" option. Does it import layered .psd? or how exactly do you need the artwork (what format?) I am barely getting to know OT as you go along.

[@TJFREE]

@Activemotionpictures Layered ,psd is fine. I'm still learning best practices for OpenToonz as well. It supports .svg import, but what I see a lot of people doing is just exporting each layer of a .svg or .psd file with transparent background, and then placing each body part / background layer on its own column in the xsheet.

[@aaronsaunders6974]

my gosh, that circle looks like my shapes--they always have a slight gap. is there a tool that lets u draw sharper images w/ tighter lines and corners?

[@kanishkadas5907]

This is really good

[@TJFREE]

Thank you!

[@meth367]

i've tried to fast render in mp4, but the program sends me the warning "Run out of contigous physical memory: please save all and restart Toonz!" and close itself. It sometime directly crashes itself. I've tried reinstalling it... how can i fix this?

[@robertcammack902]

Hi. Great videos and I am just beginning to understand things. Now, DISASTER. everything has gone off the screen. went to windows and got the X-sheet and tool box, But I can't get anything for colours. Also it's very difficult to place these things. You said somewhere how to get back to a basic screen setout but I can't find that either. HELP!!!

[@gyrudoownil6651]

I have just installed opentoonz a few days ago thanks to one of your recommendations but watching this first episode of the tutorial I can't help but notice the mine doesn't have a Basics screen like yours where is mine at

[@crnjacprodukcija]

same

[@popsautoelectric1767]

I can not find it either

[@xx_thelordandsaviour69_xx81]

Apparently Studio Ghibli used to use this software for their early films

[@mexmox6562]

yay now i can animate my own madness combat episodes yeyyyyyy!!!

[@douglasvancier7683]

You're the One!!

[@grevillesreview268]

haha

[@honeybadger8844]

Great video :) The one problem I have is that when I open file in order to render my drop down menu seems to have far less options and can't do so

[@DrNickDoom]

It looks like in 1.4 its been moved to its own drop down between play and view, i had the same problem, was using CTRL+SHIFT+R until i noticed

[@alexwalter6882]

@@DrNickDoom Thank so much, i had the same problem. Now i use CTRL+SHIFT+R because i can't find it wer u sayed but it's good enouth. (sorry for my englisch i'm German)

[@jaronnewyork]

Thank You Sir, this video was on point

[@TJFREE]

Thanks Jaron!

[@KapFindr]

now i just need to be good at drawing lol im gonna like and subscribe good job xD

[@demon__adrian393]

can you place a video in the back ground so i can film a movement i want to draw for reference? sort of like tracing but not really.

[@vk9030]

Good job 👌🏻 👍

[@kevin-boten4227]

2:28 is accuracy and hardness the same?

[@kamalsahu3324]

I don't have basic options in my opentoonz software so what I do ?

[@twirlygirly]

HOw do you make it Dark Theme. Because me looking at that big white screen is like you looking directly into the sun.

[@Ekkie101]

I don't know what I did to my program, but as soon as I touch the screen with the "brush" many of the windows become large "windows safety" style and I can only use blue ink. I wish I could show a screen shot of what happens, but it is really weird and unworkable. Also I lose the X-sheet and other functions. ?????

[@ThegreatL_animations]

Can you copy the what is in the frame so you can use it in the next frame?

[@user-qx8re2em1b]

huge thank you

[@bootlegtv]

I am really enjoying this tutorial though I have ran into a snag. At the end to render out the video I need to set the ff mpeg path on a mac and this is where I'm lost. Can anyone advise me? Thank You

[@autisticgaming3062]

Thank you very much

[@TheStromer]

Nice video i liked it

[@zulfiqaarthefishyboy5926]

Hello there, I've run into a critical issue, I accidentally closed the canvas on which I'm supposed to draw, but now I'm not sure on how to bring it back

[@NegizaKim]

Please help! I hope you still read your comments from this older video.. I downloaded opentoonz and wanted to do a simple animation in the basics room. I don´t know what happened but suddenly the canvas was gone and instead there is just grey background and -no styles- the drawing canvas shows up in the other rooms just not in basics. I already tried resetting the room to default but it did nothing. Help?

[@NegizaKim]

I de- and reinstalled it now and a different issue popped up: as soon as I started drawing on the canvas in basics, the whole right window with the frames went black. Everything seems normal in the animation room. I could go on watching your tutorial but I feel very unsure because something is wrong.

[@BaronsHistoryTimes]

@@NegizaKim see if you can work with recent opentoonz 1.4 version?

[@bartholomewcarvalho1698]

Thanks bro!

[@priyatanwar7416]

i am not getting white canvas in basics mode and when i click on anything, the entire screen gets zoom in. Can you help me with this?

[@vira3080]

I have the same problem

[@doctorhisham2]

I did not find render option in the file menu on the program on my computer

[@lisabarnes924]

Probably an update and it moved elsewhere.