5 Programs, Similar Features

Switching between animation software shouldn’t mean relearning everything from scratch. In the animation industry, it’s common to move between programs depending on the studio pipeline. Students, on the other hand, often start with more accessible tools like Clip Studio Paint or Krita before they even think about working in a studio setting. This constant shifting can make learning shortcuts and workflows feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to!

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve built a cross-comparison hotkey cheat sheet that lines up the most essential shortcuts across five of the most popular 2D animation programs: TVPaint, Krita, Clip Studio Paint, OpenToonz, and Toon Boom Harmony. Whether you’re a teacher standardizing your classroom workflow, a student trying to stay consistent across tools, or a pro jumping between pipelines, this quick-reference chart will save you time, reduce friction, and keep your creative flow moving smoothly.

Animation Hotkeys Cross-Comparison

(TVPaint → Krita → Clip Studio Paint → OpenToonz → Toon Boom Harmony)

2. Essential Navigation Shortcuts

3. Timeline & Frames

4. Playback & Preview

5. Layers, Cels & Selections

6. Customizing Shortcuts

• TVPaint → Edit → Shortcuts (Ctrl+K / Cmd+K)
• Krita → Settings → Configure Krita → Keyboard Shortcuts
• CSP → File → Shortcut Settings
• OpenToonz → File → Configure Shortcuts
• Toon Boom Harmony → Edit → Preferences → Shortcuts

7. Preferences & Workflow

8. Tips & Notes

• Brush Presets: Krita, CSP, Harmony, and OT allow brush presets → assign hotkeys for “blue/red/black” workflows like TVPaint.
• Flipping Animation: All five programs support flipping through frames, but the keys differ. Harmony and OT also allow flipping through exposure sheets.
• Project Organization:
  • TVPaint → Clips (scenes)
  • Krita → Multiple animations in Timeline Docker
  • CSP → Timelines per scene, cels linked to layers
  • OpenToonz → Xsheet columns & levels
  • Harmony → Node-based + Timeline

Download the PDF Cheatsheet

Closing

Mastering shortcuts is about staying in the zone and letting your ideas flow without interruption. Now that you’ve got this cross-software cheat sheet, keep it handy on your desk, share it with your animation peers, or pin it up in your studio. For students, it’s a bridge between learning at home with free or entry-level tools and stepping into professional pipelines. For working artists, it’s a way to switch studios or projects without breaking your rhythm. Download the PDF, experiment with customizing your own keymaps, and make the tools work for you — not the other way around.