The latest and final major release of Howler 2023, the GPU-accelerated digital painting and animation tool for Windows, is now completely free to download. That’s right: the software, previously priced at $72.99, now invites anyone with a penchant for pixel play to grab it for the generous price of zero. According to the announcement by CG Channel, this move comes as developer Dan Ritchie refocuses his time on filmmaking. While the software will still receive occasional bug fixes, it won’t be getting new features. Consider it stable—but not expanding.
Painting, FX, and Frame-by-Frame Animation
Howler 2023 has long been a Swiss Army brush for digital artists working in post and VFX. The software supports both raster and video workflows and is designed to handle traditional-style 2D animation, frame-by-frame work, as well as FX compositing and color effects. If your timeline involves keyframes, rotoscoping, or motion estimation, Howler’s feature set leans firmly into that space. The engine is GPU-accelerated (via DirectX), so real-time preview and performance benefit from modern graphics hardware. Among its standout tools are motion prediction-based retiming, frame blending, stabilization, glow effects, particle brushes, and general time-based filtering—a hybrid between a painterly aesthetic and VFX tweaking.
It also includes tools for 3D painting directly onto generated meshes and terrains—think elevation maps, erosion, and lighting. While not a full 3D pipeline solution, it allows painting in a Z-buffer-aware environment, complete with shading and lighting options to preview volume and light direction. Don’t expect OBJ imports or complex UVs, but terrain sculpting and faux-volume painting are definitely on tap.
Community and Patreon Support
Howler 2023’s transition to freeware is emblematic of a broader trend in indie software financing, where community support and Patreon contributions play a pivotal role. The developer’s shift from a one-time purchase model to a donation-supported platform allows the project to remain accessible to all production artists, even as occasional bug fixes and performance enhancements continue. This model ensures that while the feature set remains frozen, critical maintenance persists, keeping the software reliable for demanding production pipelines.
The Patreon financing aspect underscores the enduring relationship between the developer and a loyal user base. For those who appreciate the careful balance of innovation and stability, contributing via Patreon offers a pathway to sustain essential updates and fine-tuning. As always, any integration into current projects should be preceded by thorough testing—after all, even the best freeware requires a safety net before diving headfirst into a complex production environment.
Compatibility and Platform
Howler runs on Windows only, with no macOS version on the horizon. The final release version is stable, and although no new tools are in store, occasional bug fixes remain to support existing workflows. And for those who have already paid for the software, this transition might feel a bit like getting a refund in spirit—albeit after years of artistic loyalty.
Download and Further Info
Howler 2023 can be downloaded for free via the official site.
