Procreate Dreams: The Dawn of a New Animation Era on iPad

In a groundbreaking announcement on September 8th, 2023, James Cuda, the Co-founder and CEO of Procreate, introduced the world to 'Procreate Dreams' – a state-of-the-art animation app designed specifically for the iPad. Merging next-gen painting tools with a Multi-touch Timeline and real-time Performing capabilities, this app promises to democratize animation for both novices and experts.

Procreate CEO and Co-founder James Cuda. / source: procreate.com

1. A Leap Forward in 2D Animation

The brilliance of Procreate Dreams lies in its power to offer everyone, from beginners to seasoned professionals, an unmatched animation experience on iPad. Coupled with Procreate's signature delightful and user-friendly interface, the app boasts advanced keyframing, touch-based performing, and frame-by-frame editing. This isn't merely an animation tool; it's a creative haven for the upcoming wave of storytellers.

For the first time creatives can seamlessly mix drawing, cel animation, video editing, and compositing. / source: procreate.com

2. Continuing Procreate's Legacy

Over the past decade, Procreate has reshaped the digital art landscape by making it accessible to a staggering 30 million users. Their distinctive blend of boldness, refinement, and a human-centric approach to creative tools has set them apart. With Procreate Dreams, they are all set to repeat history. As Cuda eloquently put it, "Dreams is not just about crafting movies or animations. It embodies the belief that with this app, anything is possible, even the most fantastical dreams unbound by reality."

Procreate’s next-generation painting and compositing engine supercharges the painting experience. / source: procreate.com

3. A Toolkit for Every Artist

Whether you're an everyday artist or a professional illustrator, Procreate Dreams welcomes you with a comprehensive suite of tools that are not just innovative but also reminiscent of the beloved Procreate. Users can now handle raster projects with resolutions reaching a whopping 1 million by 1 million pixels and infinite layers. The app's Flipbook feature, reminiscent of conventional frame-by-frame animation, promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Additionally, existing Procreate animators can effortlessly import their work, enhancing it with voiceovers, sound effects, and scores.

Draw on the timeline with Apple Pencil. / source: procreate.com

4. Reinventing Animation Workflows

Procreate Dreams isn't just about new tools; it's about revolutionizing how animators work. The app's compatibility with iPad means users can animate anytime, anywhere. The reimagined timeline, optimized for multi-touch and Apple Pencil, offers an intuitive experience, while its speed—both in navigation and real-time stage rendering—sets it apart from even desktop counterparts.

Designed for beginners and seasoned professionals. / source: procreate.com

5. Empowering Content Creators

The seamless integration with Apple Pencil ensures that video editing and timeline selection are smoother than ever. Handling 4K video files becomes child's play with Procreate Dreams. But perhaps the most groundbreaking feature is Performing. By simply tapping record, creators can animate using touch, applying transformations, filters, and effects in real-time. And with every action recorded as keyframes, further non-destructive edits become a breeze.

Procreate Dreams has everything needed to create rich 2D animations. / source: procreate.com

6. The Future of Procreate Dreams

Dubbed as the "complete animation studio you can carry," Procreate Dreams is fully equipped to help artists breathe life into their creations from day one. And the team at Procreate is far from done. They have ambitious plans to continually enhance Procreate Dreams, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of animation technology.

7. List of Compatible Devices

A complete list of devices compatible with Procreate Dreams will be released soon. However, it's already known that it won't be limited to just the iPad Pro. As the developers mentioned in their tweet, "Stay tuned for a full list of compatible devices – this won’t just be for Pro devices, we’ll be shipping with broad iPad support". This suggests that the application will be accessible to a wide range of iPad users.

In conclusion, the global release of Procreate Dreams on November 22, 2023, for a one-time purchase of $19.99 USD, marks a significant milestone in the world of animation. With no subscriptions and a promise of ongoing support, this app is not just a tool but a commitment to artists worldwide. For those eager for more updates on Procreate Dreams, stay tuned and sign up for their newsletter.