Getting started

1. Install AniCraft

Install AniCraft through ArtCraft Launcher by clicking Install on AniCraft’s card, or download standalone installers from Install and update.

2. Start a new project

Open AniCraft and choose File › New (Ctrl+N or ⌘N on macOS).

1. Set your project dimensions (such as 1920×1080 or 1280×720).
2. Set the frame rate (default is 24 fps).
3. Choose a stage background color.
4. Click Create.

3. Draw on the stage

Select the Pencil or Pen tool from the toolbar:

• Pencil: Freehand drawing with automated curve smoothing.
• Pen: Click to create straight segments; click and drag to pull Bézier tangent handles.
• Subselection tool: Select and edit individual anchor points and curve handles.
• Paint Bucket: Fill enclosed vector contours with solid colors or gradients.

4. Work with layers and frames

The timeline sits below the stage:

• Press F5 to extend a layer’s exposure by inserting regular frames.
• Press F6 to insert a Keyframe, copying the previous drawing to a new editable point.
• Press F7 to insert a Blank Keyframe.

5. Add a classic tween

1. On frame 1, draw a shape on the stage.
2. Select frame 24 on the timeline and press F6 to insert a keyframe.
3. With the Selection tool (V) or Free Transform tool (Q), move or scale the artwork on frame 24 to its new position or pose.
4. Right-click any frame between the two keyframes and choose Create Classic Tween.
5. Select any frame inside the tween span.
6. In the Properties panel, pick an easing preset (such as Ease In/Out) or adjust the custom Bézier easing curve.
7. Press Enter or the Spacebar to play your animation on the stage.

6. Export

Choose File › Export › Export Animated GIF… or File › Export › Export Video… to output your work. You can also export PNG image sequences or Lottie JSON files.

What’s next

• Workflows: master tools, symbols, and nested timelines.
• AI agents: automate drawing and exporting with AI assistants.
• Troubleshooting: solve startup, performance, and playback issues.