Toon Boom Animation Inc. is based in Montreal, Quebec, and was founded in 1994. The company is renowned for its award-winning software products, such as Toon Boom Harmony and Storyboard Pro, which are considered industry standards for 2D animation and storyboarding. These tools are used by major animation studios and independent creators worldwide to produce high-quality animated content for films, television, and digital media.
Toon Boom was founded in 1994 and quickly established itself as a leader in the animation software industry. In 1996, the company acquired the software development business of USAnimation Studio, which led to the development of Toon Boom Opus and later Toon Boom Harmony. Over the years, Toon Boom has expanded its offerings through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Pegs'n Co in 2006 and Cambridge Animation Systems in 2009.
In 2004, Corus Entertainment acquired a 50% stake in Toon Boom, and by 2012, Corus had full ownership of the company. In 2023, Toon Boom was sold to the International Media Company (IMC), a portfolio of TPG Inc., for $111 million USD (147.5 million CAD). This acquisition is expected to help Toon Boom expand into new markets and introduce innovative products.
Toon Boom's flagship products include Toon Boom Harmony and Storyboard Pro. Harmony is a comprehensive 2D animation software that offers advanced drawing tools, vectorization technology, and seamless integration of 2D/3D elements. It supports various animation styles and provides features like dynamic brushes, color management, and a robust compositing system. Storyboard Pro is designed for storyboarding and pre-production, offering tools for layout, animatics, and production planning.
Toon Boom has expanded its product line through acquisitions, such as Pegs'n Co and Cambridge Animation Systems, although the acquired products are no longer actively updated. The company continues to innovate by adding new features to its existing software, such as enhanced 2D/3D integration and improved drawing tools in Harmony
Recent updates to Toon Boom Harmony include new symmetry drawing guides, improved pencil tool opacity control, and a new deformer engine for better quality deformations. These features enhance the creative possibilities for animators and streamline the production process.
Toon Boom is committed to empowering creators by providing versatile and powerful animation tools. The company values innovation, creativity, and collaboration, as reflected in its continuous engagement with clients to understand and shape the future of animation pipelines.
Toon Boom's software is used by a wide range of users, from major studios like Disney and Warner Bros. to independent animators and educational institutions. The company has a strong community of users who actively engage in forums and collaborative projects. Toon Boom also offers training courses to help users improve their skills and stay updated with the latest software features.
