Pixaki
Pixaki is a professional pixel art creation app for iPad that provides a powerful touch-based interface for drawing, animating, and exporting high-quality pixel graphics for games and digital art.
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro is an all-in-one storyboard software that combines drawing, scripting, and camera controls to help you create visual stories for film, television, and games.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pixaki | Toon Boom Storyboard Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Website | pixaki.com | toonboom.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $71/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 21 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Montreal, Canada |
Overview
Pixaki
Pixaki is a dedicated pixel art studio designed specifically for your iPad, combining the precision of desktop tools with the flexibility of a mobile interface. You can create everything from simple sprites to complex isometric environments using a multi-touch workflow that feels natural and responsive. Whether you are a professional game developer or a hobbyist artist, the app provides the technical depth needed for serious production work without the clutter of traditional desktop software.
You can manage complex projects using a full-featured layer system and create smooth animations with a dedicated frame-by-frame timeline. The software solves the problem of awkward mobile drawing by offering advanced color management, custom palettes, and seamless export options to industry-standard formats. It is the go-to choice for artists who want to move their pixel art workflow away from the desk while maintaining professional-grade control over every pixel.
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro gives you everything you need to take your ideas from script to screen in one seamless environment. You can sketch directly into the software using advanced drawing tools, import your scripts, and time your panels to create animatics with sound and transitions. It eliminates the need to jump between different applications for drawing and editing, allowing you to focus entirely on your visual storytelling and pacing.
You can manage complex camera movements in 3D space and integrate 3D models directly into your 2D scenes for better perspective and depth. The software is designed to handle high-end production demands, making it easy for you to export your work to various formats or pass it along to the next stage of the animation pipeline. Whether you are working on a solo project or as part of a major studio team, it provides the structure to keep your creative vision organized.
Overview
Pixaki Features
- Advanced Layer System Organize your artwork with unlimited layers, allowing you to edit backgrounds and characters independently without destructive changes.
- Animation Timeline Create fluid character movements and environmental effects using a dedicated frame-by-frame timeline with onion skinning support.
- Reference Layers Import photos or sketches as transparent reference layers to trace over and convert real-world inspiration into pixel art.
- Custom Color Palettes Build and save your own color palettes or import standard ones to ensure consistent visual styles across your projects.
- Isometric Grid Support Switch to an isometric grid to easily draw 3D-style environments and structures with perfect perspective every time.
- Professional Export Export your finished work as GIFs, sprite sheets, or layered Photoshop files to integrate directly into your game engine.
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro Features
- Advanced Drawing Tools. Create natural-looking sketches with pressure-sensitive brushes and textured lines that mimic traditional media on your digital canvas.
- 3D Space Integration. Import 3D models and move them within a 3D environment to create perfect perspective and complex spatial layouts.
- Cinematic Camera. Animate camera movements across panels with built-in 3D camera controls to preview exactly how your shots will look.
- Script Integration. Import your scripts from Final Draft or PDF and drag-and-drop text directly into your panels to save time.
- Animatic Creation. Add audio tracks and adjust panel timing on a timeline to turn your static boards into a moving preview.
- Pipeline Export. Export your projects directly to Harmony, Maya, or various video formats to keep your production moving smoothly.
Pricing Comparison
Pixaki Pricing
- Up to 3 layers
- Basic drawing tools
- Static image export
- Standard grid options
- Touch-optimized interface
- Everything in Intro, plus:
- Unlimited layers
- Full animation timeline
- Photoshop (PSD) export
- Sprite sheet generation
- Reference layer support
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro Pricing
- Full access to all features
- Advanced drawing & 3D tools
- Complete animatic toolset
- Standard support included
- Monthly billing flexibility
- Everything in Monthly, plus:
- Significant annual discount
- Billed as $528 per year
- Continuous software updates
- Priority access to new versions
Pros & Cons
Pixaki
Pros
- Best-in-class touch interface designed specifically for iPad
- Seamless export to Photoshop and game engines
- Powerful animation tools that rival desktop software
- One-time purchase price with no recurring subscriptions
- Excellent Apple Pencil support for precision drawing
Cons
- Limited to iPad with no desktop version
- Steep learning curve for the animation timeline
- Intro version is quite restrictive for professionals
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Pros
- Industry-standard tool used by major animation studios
- Seamless integration of 2D drawing and 3D assets
- Powerful timeline for creating high-quality animatics quickly
- Excellent export options for professional production pipelines
Cons
- Significant learning curve for new or hobbyist users
- Higher price point compared to basic sketching apps
- Requires high-performance hardware for complex 3D scenes