Pro Motion NG
Pro Motion NG is a specialized pixel art creation tool designed for artists and game developers to design precise animations, tilemaps, and sprites for retro-style video games.
Storyboarder
Storyboarder is a free, open-source storyboarding software that provides artists with a fast, simple interface to draw, animate, and export visual stories directly to professional creative suites.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pro Motion NG | Storyboarder |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cosmigo.com | wonderunit.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1995 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Pohlheim, Germany | New York, USA |
Overview
Pro Motion NG
Pro Motion NG is a powerhouse for creating pixel-perfect art and animations, specifically tailored for the constraints of classic game consoles and mobile devices. You can manage indexed colors with precision, ensuring your palettes remain consistent across complex projects. Whether you are designing individual character sprites or massive seamless tilemaps, the software provides the specialized toolset you need to maintain a retro aesthetic while working with modern efficiency.
You can streamline your animation workflow using onion skinning to see previous frames and multi-layer editing to keep your project organized. The software solves the common headache of tile-based design by allowing you to draw directly into a tilemap, automatically updating all instances of a tile across your level. It is the go-to choice for professional pixel artists who need more than a general-purpose image editor.
Storyboarder
Storyboarder provides you with the fastest way to visualize your stories. Whether you are a filmmaker, animator, or novelist, you can quickly draw rough sketches to test your ideas without the friction of complex tools. You can use the built-in drawing tools or print out paper templates to draw by hand, then snap a photo to import your frames instantly.
The software integrates deeply with your existing creative workflow, allowing you to open your boards in Photoshop for detailed editing. You can also export your finished boards directly to Premiere, Final Cut, or Avid for timing and assembly. Because it is open-source and community-driven, you get a professional-grade toolset entirely for free, making it accessible for independent creators and large studios alike.
Overview
Pro Motion NG Features
- Tilemap Editing Create and edit seamless tilemaps visually, allowing you to draw directly into tiles while the software handles the repetition.
- Advanced Color Management Control your indexed color palettes with precision, including easy color cycling and palette effects for authentic retro visuals.
- Onion Skinning View multiple animation frames simultaneously so you can track movement and timing without constantly switching between layers.
- Symmetry Drawing Draw perfectly symmetrical objects in real-time using mirror modes, cutting your design time in half for characters and icons.
- Multi-Layer Support Organize your artwork into independent layers to separate backgrounds, characters, and effects for non-destructive editing.
- Dithering Tools Apply classic dithering patterns automatically to create smooth gradients and textures within the limitations of small color palettes.
Storyboarder Features
- Quick Drawing Tools. Use a light pencil for roughing, a hard pencil for lines, and a brush for tones to create boards quickly.
- Shot Generator. Type a description to instantly generate 3D characters and sets when you need to visualize complex camera angles.
- Paper Import. Print storyboard templates, draw with a real pencil, and take a photo to automatically import and crop your frames.
- Photoshop Integration. Edit any board in Photoshop with one click and see your changes update automatically inside Storyboarder.
- Professional Export. Send your storyboards directly to Premiere, Final Cut, Avid, or PDF to begin your editing and production process.
- Layer Management. Organize your drawings with simple layers to separate characters, backgrounds, and notes for better visual clarity.
Pricing Comparison
Pro Motion NG Pricing
- Basic drawing tools
- Indexed color support
- Single layer editing
- Basic animation frames
- Unlimited usage time
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Advanced tilemap editor
- Multi-layer support
- Onion skinning
- Custom brush shapes
- Commercial usage rights
Storyboarder Pricing
- Unlimited storyboards
- Shot Generator 3D tool
- Photoshop integration
- Export to Premiere and Final Cut
- Printable paper templates
- Open-source source code access
Pros & Cons
Pro Motion NG
Pros
- Unmatched precision for indexed color palette management
- Excellent tilemap tools for level design efficiency
- One-time purchase avoids annoying monthly subscription costs
- Lightweight performance runs smoothly on older hardware
Cons
- Steep learning curve for those used to Photoshop
- User interface feels dated compared to modern apps
- Limited documentation for some advanced technical features
Storyboarder
Pros
- Completely free and open-source for all users
- Extremely fast interface for rapid sketching
- Seamless round-trip editing with Adobe Photoshop
- Unique 3D shot generator for non-artists
Cons
- Limited advanced drawing features compared to Photoshop
- Occasional stability issues on certain hardware
- Smaller community support compared to paid alternatives