Toon Boom Harmony

Toon Boom Harmony
Name	Toon Boom Harmony
Developer	Toon Boom Animation
Released	0 1999
Latest release version	22
Latest release date	October 2023
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, macOS
Genre	Animation software
License	Proprietary software

Contents

Overview
Features
Industry usage
File format
Version history
See also

Toon Boom Harmony. It is a professional-level 2D animation software application developed by Toon Boom Animation, a company based in Montreal, Canada. First released in 1999, it has become an industry-standard tool for creating television series, feature films, and web content. The software integrates both vector and bitmap drawing tools with advanced rigging, compositing, and special effects capabilities.

Overview

The development of the software was driven by the needs of major studios like Warner Bros. Animation and Walt Disney Animation Studios transitioning to digital pipelines. It succeeded earlier products such as Toon Boom Studio and built upon the legacy of USAnimation. The application supports a node-based workflow, allowing for complex composites and integrations with 3D elements, which has been utilized in projects from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. Its adoption expanded significantly with the production of shows like The Simpsons and Rick and Morty.

Features

Key functionalities include advanced rigging systems for character animation, such as the Deformation tool and Inverse kinematics. The software offers a comprehensive set of drawing tools, supporting both bitmap brushes inspired by traditional cel animation and vector-based art. Its Digital compositing environment, using a node-based system similar to Nuke (software), allows for intricate visual effects and lighting. Integration with other software is facilitated through support for formats like Adobe Photoshop (PSD) and OpenColorIO, and it includes a robust Python (programming language) API for scripting and pipeline customization.

Industry usage

The software is extensively used in the production of animated television series by studios such as Disney Television Animation, DreamWorks Animation Television, and BBC Children's and Education. Notable feature film projects that have utilized it include The Princess and the Frog from Walt Disney Pictures and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run. It is also a cornerstone for independent animation studios worldwide and educational institutions like Sheridan College and Gobelins, l'École de l'Image. The annual Annecy International Animated Film Festival often features works created with the application.

File format

The primary native file format uses the .tpl extension for projects. These files are essentially ZIP (file format) archives containing XML descriptors, PNG or JPEG image assets, and other resource files. This structure facilitates version control and asset management within collaborative pipelines. The software can also import and export a wide array of standard formats, including QuickTime (MOV), MP4, SVG, and PDF, ensuring compatibility with editing suites like Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer.

Version history

Major releases have introduced significant capabilities; version 7 added the Node view for compositing, while version 10 introduced the Harmony Premium tier. The shift to a subscription model coincided with version 12. Later updates, such as version 17, enhanced 3D integration and Google Sheets connectivity for production management. The most recent versions, including Harmony 22, have focused on real-time collaboration tools, USD file support, and performance optimizations for Apple silicon Macs.