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OpenCanvas : free software for digital art

By Kelly | January 7, 2008

OpenCanvas : Intro

“OpenCanvas” is digital art software by PortalGraphics. You can buy the latest version from their website, but the v1.1 beta is freeware. It’s immensely helpful if you’ve got a graphics tablet for drawing, but otherwise getting into digital art has never been cheaper!

OC v1.1 beta features:
1. Free!
2. Use layers with different modes
3. Various customizable tools
4. Connect online and draw with friends
5. Save and share animations of drawings

The downsides are that it’s pretty limited compared to a big software package like Photoshop, it has a few quirks and bugs, and requires Windows in order to run.

Using OC

First, download the program file here.

After opening the program, don’t freak out! It defaults to Japanese language and may look like gibberish. Choose the last option on the top bar, and select ‘English’.
Now things will become clearer, and you can start painting!

For a detailed explanation of all the tools and features, check this tutorial.

To see some examples of art made in OC 1.1, check the videos anthro horse demo and cute vixen demo.

Good luck and happy drawing!

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Topics: Resources | 25 Comments »

25 Responses to “OpenCanvas : free software for digital art”

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1. 10
   FDC Says:
   July 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

   Love your work!
   But, how did you get the openCanvas wpe file to export so you could make your videos? It looks like your videos are flash files.
   Thanks.

2. 9
   Shirohana22 Says:
   June 8th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

   Thanks a lot! This really helped me…

3. 8
   Fendrake Says:
   March 29th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

   Is it possible to draw an ellipse?

4. 7
   karan Says:
   March 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

   Hey thanks a lot!

5. 6
   Munch Says:
   March 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm

   Hey BJ, I was having exactly the same problem =) thanks so0o so0o much kelly! tis an awesome program !!!

6. 5
   Kelly Says:
   February 18th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

   BJ, you should make sure you’re saving the .exe file instead of just opening the link. Right click and choose ’save link as’ to make sure you’re downloading the program to a permanent location.

7. 4
   BJ Says:
   February 18th, 2008 at 7:22 am

   I don’t get the program forever… if I close it I lose the program.

8. 3
   Rose Says:
   February 1st, 2008 at 4:51 pm

   Hey you might also check out Gimp. It’s Gnu’s Image Manipulation Program, and it’s freeware. :)

9. 2
   Kev the Fox Says:
   January 26th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

   hey thanks alot, this will help me alot ^_^

10. 1
    Nelle Says:
    January 12th, 2008 at 12:05 am

    Hey thanks a lot! Now I can experiment with digital art without having to buy photoshop or steal it from school!

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