Turning static sketches into moving stories begins with understanding Procreate’s animation assist feature. If you have ever wondered how to animate on procreate, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through every step, from setting up your canvas to exporting a finished GIF or video. No prior animation experience needed—just your iPad and a willingness to experiment.
Procreate makes frame-by-frame animation surprisingly simple. The tools are built right into the app, so you do not need extra software. Let us start with the basics and build up to more complex techniques.
Getting Started With Animation Assist
First, open Procreate and create a new canvas. Any size works, but a square canvas around 1920×1920 pixels is a good starting point. Tap the wrench icon in the top left corner, then select “Canvas.” You will see an option called “Animation Assist.” Toggle it on.
Once enabled, a timeline bar appears at the bottom of your screen. This is your control center for all animation tasks. The timeline shows each frame as a thumbnail. You can add, delete, and reorder frames here.
Understanding The Timeline Interface
The timeline has several key parts. On the left, you see frame thumbnails. On the right, there is a play button and settings for frame rate. The default frame rate is 12 frames per second (fps), which gives a smooth but simple look. You can adjust this later.
Each frame can have its own layer visibility. This means you can keep background elements consistent while only changing the moving parts. For example, if you animate a bouncing ball, the background stays the same across all frames.
How To Animate On Procreate: Step-By-Step
Now you are ready to create your first animation. Follow these steps carefully.
- Draw your first frame on a new layer. Keep it simple—a circle or stick figure works fine.
- Tap the “+” icon on the timeline to add a new frame. This duplicates the previous frame as a starting point.
- On the new frame, make small changes to your drawing. Move the circle slightly to the right, or change the arm position on your stick figure.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have a sequence of frames that show gradual movement.
- Tap the play button to preview your animation. It will loop continuously.
That is the core process. Each frame is a slight variation of the last. The more frames you add, the smoother the motion becomes. But do not overdo it—12 to 24 frames is plenty for most projects.
Using Onion Skinning For Better Motion
Onion skinning shows ghosted images of previous and next frames. This helps you see where your drawing was and where it is going. In the timeline settings, you can adjust the opacity and number of onion skin frames shown.
To enable onion skinning, tap the settings icon (looks like a gear) on the timeline. Toggle “Onion Skins” on. You can set how many frames to show before and after the current frame. A setting of 1 or 2 frames works well for beginners.
This feature prevents you from making jumps in position that look jarring. It is one of the most useful tools for smooth animation.
Frame By Frame Animation Techniques
Once you understand the basics, you can explore different animation styles. Here are three common approaches.
Straight Ahead Animation
This method means you draw each frame in order from start to finish. You do not plan every pose ahead of time. It feels spontaneous and can produce lively, organic motion. However, it is easy to lose proportions or have elements drift off screen.
Pose To Pose Animation
With pose to pose, you first draw the key frames—the most important poses in your animation. For a walking character, key frames might be the foot touching the ground and the leg lifted. Then you fill in the in-between frames later. This method gives you more control over timing and spacing.
Looping Animations
Looping is great for backgrounds or simple actions like a waving hand. To make a loop, your first and last frames must be identical. That way, when the animation repeats, there is no jump. In Procreate, you can copy your first frame and paste it as the last frame to ensure a perfect loop.
Adjusting Frame Timing And Speed
Not every frame needs to stay on screen for the same amount of time. You can adjust individual frame durations to create pauses or fast actions. In the timeline, tap a frame thumbnail to select it. Then use the “Hold Duration” slider to set how long that frame displays.
For example, a frame that holds for 0.5 seconds creates a brief pause. A frame that holds for 0.1 seconds creates a quick motion. Mixing durations adds personality to your animation.
The overall frame rate also affects speed. Lower fps (like 8) makes choppy, retro-style animation. Higher fps (like 24) gives smooth, film-like motion. Experiment to find what fits your project.
Working With Layers In Animation
Layers are powerful for animation because they let you separate moving parts from static backgrounds. Here is how to use them effectively.
- Keep your background on its own layer group. Lock it so you do not accidentally edit it.
- Create a new layer for each animated element. For a character, you might have separate layers for the body, arms, and head.
- Use layer visibility to show or hide parts across frames. For example, you can hide a layer in one frame and show it in the next to create a blinking effect.
Remember that each frame remembers which layers are visible. This is different from traditional animation where each frame is a single image. Procreate’s layer system gives you flexibility but requires careful organization.
Exporting Your Animation
When your animation is complete, you need to export it. Tap the wrench icon, then select “Share.” You have several options.
- Animated GIF: Best for social media and web use. It loops automatically and supports transparency.
- Animated PNG: Higher quality than GIF but larger file size. Also supports transparency.
- MP4 Video: Good for sharing on video platforms. No transparency support.
- Procreate File: Keeps all layers and frames editable. Useful for later edits.
Choose the format that matches your needs. For most casual projects, GIF or MP4 works well. Adjust the resolution and frame rate in the export settings to balance quality and file size.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Beginners often make a few predictable errors. Here is how to sidestep them.
Mistake 1: Too many frames too fast. Start with fewer frames and add more only if needed. A 12-frame animation at 12 fps looks fine for simple motion.
Mistake 2: Ignoring onion skinning. Without it, your drawings may jump around unpredictably. Always enable onion skins for consistency.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to save. Procreate autosaves, but it is wise to duplicate your project before major changes. That way you can revert if something goes wrong.
Mistake 4: Overcomplicating layers. Too many layers slow down the app and confuse your workflow. Group related layers and label them clearly.
Advanced Tips For Better Animation
Once you are comfortable with the basics, try these techniques to improve your work.
Using Reference Frames
Procreate lets you set a frame as a reference. This means you can see it faintly while drawing on another frame. It is useful for maintaining consistent proportions. To set a reference, long-press a frame thumbnail and select “Set as Reference.”
Adding Easing To Motion
Easing means changing the spacing between frames to simulate acceleration or deceleration. For a bouncing ball, frames are closer together at the top of the bounce (slow motion) and farther apart at the bottom (fast motion). You can achieve this by adjusting the position of your drawing in each frame manually.
Using Color Palettes Consistently
If your animation changes colors between frames, it looks messy. Create a color palette before you start and stick to it. Procreate allows you to save palettes and apply them across frames.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things do not work as expected. Here are fixes for frequent problems.
Animation plays too fast or too slow. Adjust the frame rate in timeline settings. Also check individual frame hold durations.
Frames are out of order. Drag thumbnails on the timeline to reorder them. You can also delete unwanted frames by swiping left on them.
Onion skins are not showing. Make sure onion skinning is enabled in timeline settings. Also check that you have more than one frame in the timeline.
Export file is too large. Reduce the canvas size or lower the frame rate. For GIFs, use fewer colors to shrink file size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Animate On Procreate Without An Apple Pencil?
Yes, you can use your finger or a third-party stylus. The Apple Pencil offers pressure sensitivity and precision, but it is not required for basic animation.
How Many Frames Can I Have In One Procreate Animation?
Procreate supports up to 120 frames per animation. However, performance may slow down with very large files or many layers.
Does Procreate Support Sound In Animations?
No, Procreate does not include audio editing. You would need to add sound in another app after exporting your video.
Can I Import Images Into A Procreate Animation?
Yes, you can import images as layers or frames. Use the “Insert a Photo” option from the actions menu to add external files.
Is There A Way To Copy Frames Between Different Procreate Projects?
Yes, you can copy and paste frames between projects. Open both projects, select the frame you want, copy it, then paste it into the other project’s timeline.
Final Thoughts On Animating In Procreate
Animation in Procreate is accessible and rewarding. The key is to start simple and build your skills gradually. Use the timeline, onion skins, and layers to your advantage. Do not be afraid to make mistakes—each one teaches you something new.
Remember that the best way to learn how to animate on procreate is to practice regularly. Set aside ten minutes each day to create a short loop or experiment with a new technique. Over time, your animations will become smoother and more expressive.
Now you have the knowledge and tools to bring your drawings to life. Open Procreate, turn on Animation Assist, and start creating. Your first animation does not need to be perfect—it just needs to be started.