Software Used by Studio Ghibli to Be Made Open Source
The world of animation is about to experience a boom like it has never had before, thanks to Toonz, the animation software used by Studio Ghibli to create our favorites like Princess Mononoke, Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo and The Wind Rises.
In a recent announcement, TOONZ declared that it will become free and Open Source by March 26.
Digital Video, the makers of TOONZ, and DWANGO, a Japanese publisher, announced today they have signed an agreement for the acquisition by Dwango of Toonz, an animation software which was independently developed by Digital Video (Rome, Italy).
Digital Video and Dwango agreed to close the deal under the condition Dwango will publish and develop an Open Source platform based on Toonz (OpenToonz). Effective Saturday March 26, the TOONZ Studio Ghibli Version will be made available to the animation community as a free download.
The TOONZ Studio Ghibli Version is named as such because of all the customized features that were added for the studio over the years. With this software being made available for free, any creative can now up his game. Not only will this benefit the bigger studios, but indie animators will be able to up their game. In a way, by making TOONZ Studio Ghibli Version, Dwango has leveled the playing field.
Animator? Here’s your chance! You may get that break you’ve been waiting for all these years.
