Our verdict: Tahoma2D keeps the power of OpenToonz but makes it far more approachable. The default room layout, timeline and simplified menus suit artists coming from other drawing apps. Some advanced OpenToonz workflows and tutorials do not match it exactly.
About Tahoma2D
Tahoma2D is a fork of OpenToonz developed by a small volunteer team under the same modified BSD license. It shares OpenToonz's engine, file formats and effects, so scenes can usually move between the two programs.
The interface is reorganized around a horizontal timeline instead of the Xsheet, with simplified menus and rooms for drawing, timing and effects. Artists draw on vector, smart raster or raster levels, use onion skin and camera tools, and render to image sequences or video.
What it does well
- Timeline-first layout. A horizontal timeline is the default, with an Xsheet still available.
- Vector and raster levels. Draw on vector, smart raster or plain raster layers.
- Onion skin. See previous and next frames while drawing.
- OpenToonz effects. The node-based FX system inherited from OpenToonz.
- Video export. Render to image sequences or common video formats.
Who it is for
Good fit
Animators who want OpenToonz-level features with an easier interface.
Look elsewhere
Studios with established OpenToonz pipelines that depend on the original layout.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- More approachable than OpenToonz
- Professional animation engine
- Active development
Cons
- Smaller user base and fewer tutorials
- Still a complex app for absolute beginners
How to install Tahoma2D
Download the Windows installer from the official download page; a portable zip is also offered. On first start Tahoma2D creates a sandbox project, which is fine for practice; create your own project for real work so files stay organized.
Questions about Tahoma2D
Is Tahoma2D free?
Yes. It is open source and free for personal and commercial use.
What is the difference between Tahoma2D and OpenToonz?
Tahoma2D is built on OpenToonz but has a simplified, timeline-first interface and some extra drawing features.
