Is Procreate a Good Animation App? Pros & Cons Explained
Procreate, a popular drawing and illustration app for iPad, has gained significant recognition in the digital art world. But the question that many artists and animators continue to ask is, “Is Procreate a good animation app?” In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of using Procreate for animation to help you make an informed decision on whether it’s the right choice for your creative projects.
Pros of Procreate for animation
1. User-friendly interface
One of the main selling points of Procreate is its remarkably simple and intuitive interface. Even those new to digital art or animation can quickly navigate and understand the app’s tools and features. Its streamlined design eliminates unnecessary buttons or functions, ensuring a seamless user experience.
2. Impressive brush collection
Procreate boasts a vast array of fully customizable brushes, providing users limitless options to create unique animations. These brushes can emulate nearly any traditional media’s look and feel, from charcoal and paintbrushes to watercolors and inks.
3. Time-lapse recording
Procreate’s time-lapse feature allows artists and animators to record their creative process in high-resolution. This invaluable tool can be used to review progress, share content with clients, or produce engaging content for social media platforms or tutorials.
4. Regular updates and improvements
The developers behind Procreate are committed to continuously improving their app, regularly providing feature updates and bug fixes. This constant development work ensures Procreate stays up-to-date with the latest technology and user needs.
5. Import and export assets easily
Procreate makes it simple to import and export essential assets for your animations, such as images, brushes, and palettes. You can even use Procreate’s PSD import and export feature, ensuring compatibility with Adobe Photoshop when working on collaborative projects.
Cons of Procreate for animation
1. Limited to iPad
Procreate is exclusively designed for iPads, which can be a considerable limitation for those who prefer working on other devices or platforms. Artists and animators without an iPad may need to invest extra funds on hardware just to use Procreate as their primary animation app.
2. Basic animation capabilities
While Procreate’s animation features are suitable for simple projects or storyboard creation, it lacks the advanced functionality found in dedicated animation software, such as Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. As a result, Procreate may not be the most suitable option for professional or complex animation work.
3. No audio support
For animators working on multimedia projects or films, Procreate’s lack of audio support can be a significant drawback. Synchronizing animation with soundtracks will need to be carried out externally, either through another app or specialized software.
4. Limited export
4. Limited export options
While Procreate does allow you to export your animations in GIF or MP4 format, it lacks some advanced export settings that professional animators may require. Customizing frame rates, video codecs, or compressing files for easier sharing may not be as convenient as with dedicated animation software.
5. No 3D animation support
Procreate is strictly limited to 2D animation, which may be a drawback for artists seeking to create 3D animations. If your primary focus is 3D animation, you’ll need to consider other industry-standard programs such as Blender, Cinema 4D, or Maya.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Procreate is an exceptional app for drawing and illustration, its animation capabilities are best suited for simple projects and storyboarding rather than advanced or professional animation work. Its user-friendly interface, impressive brush collection, and regular updates make it an attractive option for those new to the world of digital art and animation. However, its limitation to iPads, basic animation capabilities, lack of audio support, restricted export options, and absence of 3D animation features may deter professional animators seeking more comprehensive tools for their workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Procreate be used for professional animation work?
While Procreate’s features may suffice for simple animations or storyboarding, professional animators may require advanced capabilities found in dedicated animation software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. - Can I use Procreate on non-iPad devices?
Procreate is exclusively designed for iPads and, as of now, does not offer support for other platforms or devices. - What are the alternatives to Procreate for animation?
Some popular alternatives to Procreate for animation include Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Krita, and Clip Studio Paint. For 3D animation, consider Blender, Cinema 4D, or Maya. - How do I export my animations from Procreate?
Procreate allows you to export animations in both GIF and MP4 format. To do this, simply access the Share menu within your project and select the desired format. - Is there a desktop version of Procreate for animators?
Procreate is iPad-exclusive, but the developer has released a standalone digital painting app called Procreate Pocket for iPhone users. However, neither of these options currently extends to desktop platforms.
