Procreate isn’t just for still images — it also includes powerful yet approachable animation tools. Whether you want to create looping GIFs, storyboards, or full animation sequences, Animation Assist makes the process intuitive for beginners and flexible for more advanced users.
Enabling Animation Assist
To start animating, open your canvas, then:
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Tap the Actions menu (wrench icon).
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Go to Canvas and toggle on Animation Assist.
A timeline will appear at the bottom of your screen. Each frame of your animation is tied to a separate layer, making it easy to visualize the flow of motion.
How the Timeline Works
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Frames: Each layer is treated as a frame by default. Tap a frame to view options like hold duration, duplication, or frame tagging.
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Background: Set a persistent background layer so it doesn’t animate.
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Foreground: Add static overlay elements like UI or repeating objects.
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Add Frame: Tap this button on the timeline to insert a new frame instantly.
You can reorder frames by moving their layers in the Layer panel, just like any other Procreate file.
Using Onion Skinning
Onion skinning helps you animate smoothly by showing faint outlines of nearby frames. You’ll see the previous and next frames as translucent overlays, allowing you to draw in-between frames with better accuracy.
To customize onion skin settings:
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Go to Actions > Canvas > Animation Settings.
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Adjust how many frames you see before and after, as well as their opacity and color.
This is especially useful for walk cycles, character blinks, or movement-based loops.
Frame Rate and Playback
In the Animation Settings menu, you can change the frames per second (FPS). A slower FPS creates a choppier, stylized animation, while a higher FPS makes it smoother. Preview your animation using the Play button in the timeline.
Exporting Your Animation
When you're ready to share or save your animation:
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Tap Actions > Share, then scroll to the animated formats:
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Animated GIF: Great for short loops with limited color.
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Animated PNG: High quality with transparency.
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MP4 / HEVC: Best for sharing video on platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
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Frames: Export each frame as an individual PNG or PDF page.
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Keep in mind that GIFs have limited frame rates and compression, while video formats offer smoother playback.
Tips for First-Time Animators
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Keep your canvas size small to reduce file size and performance load.
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Use layers and onion skin to block out motion before refining.
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Try looping simple motions like blinking, bouncing, or pulsing objects.
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Start with a short 5–10 frame cycle to learn the workflow.
Procreate’s animation tools are a great way to bring life into your illustrations without needing complex software. From simple GIFs to fully structured sequences, the process is built to be both creative and approachable. In the next post, we’ll explore how to back up your work and manage files across iCloud, iPads, and external drives.
