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Pencil2D Free & Open Source 2D Animation Software for Windows, macOS & Linux

Open Source 2D Animation Software

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File Information

PropertyDetails
NamePencil2D
Version0.7.0
File SizeLinux AMD64: 61.5 MB, Linux i386: 103 MB, macOS: 48.3 MB, macOS Legacy: 25.5 MB, Windows 32-bit: 50.9 MB, Windows 64-bit: 50.9 MB
PlatformWindows, macOS, Linux
LicenseGNU General Public License (Open Source)
Official RepositoryPencil2D
Official Sitepencil2d

Description

Pencil2D is a lightweight, open source 2D animation software designed for artists, animators, educators & hobbyists alike. It combines a raster & vector workflow, making it easy to create hand-drawn animations, sketches, storyboards, and even full animations for films or online content. Whether you are a beginner exploring animation or a professional creating complex scenes, Pencil2D provides a simple yet powerful platform to unleash creativity without expensive tools.

Pencil2D is cross-platform, running smoothly on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is actively maintained by a passionate community. Its interface is intuitive, distraction-free, and highly responsive, allowing animators to focus on storytelling and design.

The software is perfect for:

  • Creating 2D animations for YouTube, social media, and short films
  • Educational projects for schools & online courses
  • Storyboarding & concept art for games & films
  • Digital sketches and vector artwork

Features of Pencil2D

FeatureDescription
Cross-PlatformWorks on Windows, macOS & Linux without performance compromise
Raster & Vector WorkflowCombine bitmap and vector graphics for flexible animation
Onion SkinningPreview previous and next frames to create smooth animations
Audio SupportImport audio tracks to sync animation timing
Lightweight & FastOptimized to run on both modern and older systems
Customizable InterfaceAdapt layout to fit your workflow and screen size
Frame ManagementEasily duplicate, delete, or move frames in your timeline
Export OptionsExport animations as GIF, MP4, AVI, or image sequences
Layer ManagementSeparate artwork into multiple layers for better control
Open Source & FreeCommunity-supported software with no hidden costs

Screenshots

System Requirements

OSMinimum Requirements
WindowsWindows 7 or higher, 2 GB RAM, 200 MB free disk space
macOSmacOS 10.12+ (Intel) or 10.13+ (Apple Silicon), 2 GB RAM
LinuxModern 64-bit distro or i386, 2 GB RAM, graphical environment

How to Install Pencil2d??

Before Installation download the software for your OS from the download section and the zip files have no password so you can simply extract them using 7zip , install 7zip if not already

Windows

  1. Download either pencil2d-win32-0.7.0.zip or pencil2d-win64-0.7.0.zip
  2. Extract the zip file anywhere on your computer (avoid Program Files)
  3. Run Pencil2D.exe or Pencil2D64.exe

macOS

  1. Download pencil2d-mac-0.7.0.zip (Intel/Apple) or pencil2d-mac-legacy-0.7.0.zip (older macOS)
  2. Extract and drag the Pencil2D app to Applications folder
  3. Open the app and grant permissions if prompted

Linux

  1. Download the AppImage for AMD64 or i386
  2. Make it executable:
chmod +x pencil2d-linux-amd64-0.7.0.AppImage
  1. Run it:
./pencil2d-linux-amd64-0.7.0.AppImage

Tip: AppImages run independently without installation, perfect for testing multiple versions.

Download Pencil2d Free & Open Source 2D Animation Software

Conclusion

Pencil2D is an essential tool for animators and digital artists seeking a free, open source, and lightweight solution. Download it today and start bringing your 2D stories to life effortlessly on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

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