Pencil2D
MacFree 2D Animation & Drawing Software for Mac
Overview
Pencil2D is an open-source, cross-platform tool for hand-drawn 2D animations. It blends raster and vector drawing modes, letting users sketch frames, add color, and animate scenes easily. Ideal for beginners, it features a simple interface with onion skinning, layers, and timeline editing. Lightweight and resource-efficient, it runs smoothly on Mac without complex setups. Supports PNG, SVG, MP4 exports—perfect for short films, storyboards, or personal projects. Accessible to all, regardless of hardware, it’s a go-to for hobbyists wanting to create 2D animations without cost.
Key Features
- Onion skinning for smooth animation transitions
- Raster & vector drawing mode combination
- Timeline editing with layer support
- Export to PNG, SVG, MP4, and more
- Lightweight performance on Mac
Top Alternatives
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ 100% free and open-source
- ⊕ Intuitive interface for animation beginners
- ⊕ Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
- ⊕ Low resource usage for older Macs
Cons
- ⊖ Limited advanced features vs. paid tools like Toon Boom
- ⊖ Smaller community support than mainstream apps