OpenToonz
OpenToonz is an open-source 2D animation application with drawing, scanning, Xsheet exposure, compositing and rendering workflows. This page covers scene structure, palettes, asset paths and export checks.
What OpenToonz provides
OpenToonz supports hand-drawn and scanned 2D animation through drawing levels, Xsheet exposure, camera shots, palettes, effects, compositing and rendering. A scene depends on its asset paths, project settings, palettes and version, so moving only the scene file can leave images or colors missing.
Build a portable scene
Keep source scans, drawing levels, palettes, audio and renders in deliberate directories. Establish resolution, frame rate and shot length before adding detail and render a short section to confirm color, exposure and external dependencies.
Maintenance note
This page reviews OpenToonz for 2D scene setup, Xsheet timing, asset organization and render verification. Content review date: 2026-08-23.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
Quark Cloud Drive
RecommendedSave OpenToonz to this cloud drive
Baidu Netdisk
Save OpenToonz to this cloud drive
OpenToonz first shot and Xsheet guide
Create a short scene with three key poses, expose them in Xsheet, add a simple in-between and render a test shot while preserving the scene and asset directories.
Before you start
- Choose the Windows or macOS package and prepare scene, drawing, palette, audio and output directories.
- Define canvas size, frame rate, shot length and delivery format before drawing.
- Keep scans, drawing levels and renders separate and retain an unmodified source copy.
Installation steps
- 01
Install the matching system build
Install OpenToonz for the platform, launch it and check scene path, language, canvas and audio-device settings before starting a formal project.
- 02
Create a scene and drawing levels
Set resolution, frame rate and length, create drawing levels or columns and save the scene to a stable project directory.
- 03
Prepare palettes and assets
Build a clear palette for characters and backgrounds, inspect imported format, resolution and color settings and copy assets into the project structure.
Quick start
- 01
Draw and expose key poses
Draw poses on separate levels, use Xsheet to set exposure length and spacing and review the rhythm with a low-complexity line test.
- 02
Add in-betweens and shot elements
Insert intermediate drawings, camera or column elements and audio while checking frame range and layer visibility instead of relying on a full render.
- 03
Render and archive a short shot
Render a short range, inspect color, transparency, exposure, audio and output path and preserve the scene, palettes and asset list before rendering the full shot.
Usage tips
- Scene paths, palettes and external assets are part of the project and should move together.
- Xsheet columns and exposure are distinct from a simple linear video timeline; verify frame numbers when importing or exporting.
- Segment renders help locate color, missing-level and frame-range problems before a long batch.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why are colors or assets missing after moving a scene?
Check project paths, palette files, source formats, permissions and relative references and reopen the scene from a copy with its full asset directory.
Why is the render exposure or frame rate wrong?
Compare scene frame rate, Xsheet range, column exposure, camera settings and render preset with the intended shot before changing artwork.
- Preserve the scene packageSave scenes, drawing levels, palettes, scans, audio and render settings and test opening a copy from another location.
- Remove OpenToonz and cachesUninstall through the platform and clear generated caches or renders only after the source scene and final delivery are verified.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of animation is OpenToonz suited to?
It supports 2D hand-drawn, scanned, frame-based, Xsheet, shot and compositing workflows; complex 3D assets and team asset management usually need additional tools.
How is Xsheet different from a normal timeline?
Xsheet uses columns and frame exposure for drawings, audio and effects, which gives traditional animation precise per-frame control.
Why does a scene look different on another computer?
Missing palettes, relative paths, color settings, formats or version differences can change the result. Move the scene with its assets and test a short render.
Does the download require an extraction code?
The Quark entry does not require one; the four-character code for the Baidu entry is shown beside its download entry.