Animation app for iPad
A free animation app for iPad that runs in Safari: draw frame by frame with Apple Pencil pressure, onion skin and layers, then export a video. Nothing to install.
Draw a frame, tap + for the next one, and change the drawing a little. The last frame shows faintly in red underneath (onion skin), so each drawing follows on from it.
Animating on an iPad
- 01Open this page in Safari on your iPad and press Start animating.
- 02Draw with Apple Pencil: press harder for a thicker line. Your palm can rest on the screen; once the Pencil is seen, fingers only move and zoom the canvas.
- 03Pinch with two fingers to zoom, tap with two fingers to undo, and tap with three to redo.
- 04Tap + for the next frame and draw the next pose over the red onion skin of the last one.
- 05Add the site to your Home Screen (Share → Add to Home Screen) so it opens full screen and your animations are kept.
Why animate in the browser on an iPad
The iPad with an Apple Pencil is one of the best animation desks there is: a screen you draw on directly, with pressure. Most iPad animation apps cost between $5 and $15 before you've drawn a line, or ask for a subscription.
This one opens in Safari, free. Pencil pressure, palm rejection, onion skin, layers, playback and video export all work in the browser. When you add it to your Home Screen, it runs full screen like an app and Safari keeps your animations.
Tips for drawing animation with Apple Pencil
- Use the pen for clean lines and the pencil for rough sketches you'll draw over later on another layer.
- Sketch on one layer, then add a new layer above it for the clean line, and hide the sketch layer when you're done.
- Zoom in for small details, then press Fit to see the whole frame again before you move on.
- Turn on Show the next frame in the onion-skin settings when you draw in-betweens, so you see the poses on both sides.
- Line smoothing (under More) steadies wobbly lines; turn it off for quick, loose drawing.
Questions
Is there a free animation app for iPad?
Yes, this one: it runs in Safari, so there's nothing to download and no subscription. Drawing, onion skin, 3 layers and 720p video export are free. A one-time $9.99 Lifetime adds 10 layers, 1080p without the mark, sound, GIFs and PNG frames.
Does Apple Pencil pressure work in Safari?
Yes. Safari passes the Pencil's pressure to web pages, so the pen and pencil lines get thicker as you press harder. Finger lines keep an even width.
Will my palm draw on the screen?
No. As soon as the Pencil touches the screen, the studio stops drawing with fingers: one finger moves the canvas, two fingers pinch to zoom. You can switch finger drawing back on under More.
Can I keep animations on my iPad?
Yes. They're saved in Safari as you draw. Safari deletes a site's data after 7 days without a visit unless the site is on your Home Screen, so add it there, or download each animation from Your animations to keep a copy in Files.
Does it work on iPhone too?
Yes, on any recent iPhone in Safari. The canvas is smaller, so pinch to zoom in for details.
Are my drawings uploaded anywhere?
No. Your drawings, frames and the videos you make all stay in your browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us or stored on a server.