Procreate Dreams: Features, Pros, and Cons

Introduction

Procreate has long been the go-to app for digital artists looking for a powerful and intuitive drawing experience on the iPad. You might remember we even did a blog post detailing on the how to's of the built in Procreate Animation and another one on how to avoid animation mistakes. We even have this lovely tutorial made to teach you step by step:

‍

However! With the launch of Procreate Dreams, the company has expanded into the world of animation, offering a feature-rich app tailored specifically for animators and motion designers. Procreate Dreams promises a seamless and enjoyable experience. It's been a hot minute since the release but after all this time, does it still live up to the hype? 

In this post, we’ll explore the key features of Procreate Dreams, discuss its advantages and disadvantages, and help you determine if it’s the right animation tool for you.

📸 Screenshots of key elements from the app will be included throughout the post to provide a clearer visual reference. Additionally, Pro Tips will be included to help you make the most of the app's features. 

Key Features of Procreate Dreams

Procreate Dreams introduces a host of new tools designed to make animation more accessible while maintaining the high-quality drawing experience that Procreate users love. For this blog, we'll be looking at one of the master animation example that comes with the app made by the amazing Seoro Oh. Below are some of the standout features that set this app apart.

1. Touch-Based Animation 

One of the most exciting aspects of Procreate Dreams is its multi-touch animation timeline. Unlike traditional animation software that relies heavily on complex keyframing, Procreate Dreams allows users to animate effortlessly using touch gestures. This makes creating motion sequences feel more intuitive and natural, especially for artists who are already familiar with Procreate’s workflow.

💡 Pro Tip: Use multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom and two-finger tap to undo, just like in Procreate, to speed up your workflow.

2. Real-Time Rendering 

If you work with any sort of animation then you’ll know the struggle of waiting up to hours and hours before you can see your work in its entirety. Waiting for long render times can be a major hurdle in animation. Procreate Dreams eliminates this issue with real-time rendering, allowing users to see their changes instantly. This includes adjustments to frames, added effects, or editing motion. The immediate feedback enhances creativity and workflow efficiency.

💡 Pro Tip: If playback starts lagging, close background apps and ensure your iPad has sufficient storage to keep performance smooth.

3. Procreate’s Signature Drawing & Painting Tools 

Artists who already use Procreate will be pleased to know that Procreate Dreams retains many of its best painting and drawing tools. This means you can use your favorite brushes, textures, and effects to bring your animations to life without needing to learn a completely new system.

‍

Elements in Procreate Dreams and How to Use Them 

Procreate Dreams introduces several unique elements that make animation easier and more efficient. Below are some key elements and a basic guide on how to use them.

1. Timeline Panel 

The Timeline is where you control the sequence and timing of your animation. Tap and drag layers on the timeline to adjust their position. Use keyframes to add movement, and play your animation in real time to see the changes instantly.

2. Brushes and Painting Tools 

Procreate Dreams retains the high-quality brushes from Procreate. Open the Brush Library and select a brush. Adjust opacity and size as needed. Draw directly onto the canvas, and use multiple layers to separate elements for easier animation.

3. Record Motion

Recording helps create smooth animations without manually drawing each frame. Select an object, press record and move it as you'd like. The app will generate the in-between frames for a fluid motion effect.

4. Onion Skinning 

Onion skinning allows you to see previous and next frames faintly as a reference while drawing new frames. Toggle Onion Skin in the settings, adjust the opacity of past and future frames, and use it as a guide for smooth animation transitions.

5. Layering System 

Just like Procreate, Procreate Dreams supports multiple layers to keep elements organized. Create new layers for different elements of your animation. Adjust their opacity, blending modes, and order in the timeline for better control.

‍

Advantages of Procreate Dreams 

1. User-Friendly Interface 

Like Procreate, Procreate Dreams is designed with simplicity in mind. The UI is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and professionals.

2. Affordable One-Time Purchase 

Unlike other popular animation apps, which use subscription-based pricing, Procreate Dreams offers a one-time purchase fee, making it a budget-friendly option for artists.

3. Seamless Integration with Procreate 

Importing Procreate files directly into Procreate Dreams ensures a smooth transition for artists who want to animate their existing illustrations. That’s right-- all those amazing illustrations you made in Procreate? You can make them come to life!

4. Optimized Performance for iPad 

Since Procreate Dreams is built exclusively for iPad, it runs smoothly with minimal lag, ensuring a responsive workflow.

‍

Disadvantages of Procreate Dreams 

While Procreate Dreams has many strengths, there are a few areas where it falls short:

1. Limited Export Options 

Compared to industry-standard animation software, Procreate Dreams currently has fewer export settings, which may limit professional use.

2. No Desktop Version 

Since it's exclusive to iPad, artists who prefer working on a larger screen or need desktop functionality may find this limiting.

3. Lack of 3D Animation Support 

Procreate Dreams is focused on 2D animation, meaning artists looking for 3D tools will need to use other software.

‍

Conclusion 

Procreate Dreams is a powerful and innovative animation tool that brings Procreate’s intuitive design into the world of motion. With features like touch-based animation, real-time rendering, and Procreate’s tried and trusted painting tools, it offers a seamless experience for digital artists and animators alike.

However nothing is perfect, it does have some limitations but if you're looking for a user-friendly, affordable, and high-performance animation app, Procreate Dreams is an excellent choice. But if you require advanced export settings or 3D animation, you might need to supplement it with other software.

Will you be trying out Procreate Dreams? Let us know your thoughts! 😊

‍