Live2D Cubism

Live2D Cubism Editor turns drawn illustrations into animated 2D models. Its tools include puppet-style animation, mesh deformation, physics, and lip sync for shaping a model’s expressions. Live2D says the technology is used in mobile apps, console games, VTuber streaming, and animation. The editor exports PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4, WebM, MOV, MOC3, model3.json, and motion3.json files, and is available for Windows and macOS, including Apple Silicon and Intel Mac versions. Files are supported by nizima LIVE and other third-party applications; Live2D also provides an After Effects plug-in and Photoshop scripts. A PRO trial lasts 42 days, after which the Editor continues as the FREE version. FREE has limits on texture files and dimensions, ArtMesh, motion parameters, deformers, and parts; going beyond them prevents saving. FREE commercial use is restricted to General Users and Small-Scale Enterprises with annual sales under 10 million yen. Cubism PRO for indie is listed at $13.26 a month.

Live2D Cubism provides tools for shaping and animating illustrated models, with multiple export formats and integrations. Review the FREE limits and commercial-use conditions before relying on that tier.

Cubism suits creators who want to animate drawn 2D models for uses such as apps, games, streaming, or animation. Its FREE commercial-use terms specifically cover General Users and Small-Scale Enterprises with annual sales under 10 million yen.

Live2D Cubism is an editor for turning drawn illustrations into animated 2D models, best suited to character artists and teams building expressive characters for games, apps or streaming. Its focused modeling workflow and broad export options are compelling, but the free tier’s strict caps and commercial-use rules make plan choice important.

Overview

Cubism Editor builds motion into illustrated artwork through mesh deformation and puppet-style animation. Physics and lip-sync tools extend that workflow with movement and expression. Live2D says its technology is used in mobile apps, console games, VTuber streaming and animation, so the tool is aimed at character-based work rather than general-purpose video production.

The Editor’s files work with nizima LIVE and various third-party applications. An After Effects plug-in, Photoshop scripts and external-app integration support connected workflows; the integration can let other applications set and retrieve model parameter values. Live2D warns that enabling remote external connections may expose users to malicious attacks over the Internet, so that capability warrants caution.

Key features

• Illustration modeling and animation: Mesh deformation and puppet-style animation let artists make drawn models move while retaining the illustration as their basis.
• Expression tools: Physics and lip-sync can add motion and responsiveness to a character.
• Export formats: Outputs include PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4, WebM, MOV, MOC3, model3.json and motion3.json, covering both common media formats and Cubism model and motion files.
• Developer ecosystem: SDKs are listed for Unity, Native, Web, Java, Unreal Engine and Cocos Creator, with platform support varying by SDK across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and WebGL. Downloading the Cubism SDK has no initial cost, but release licensing is separate and is not included with PRO for business.
• Learning and file safety: Manuals, tutorials, sample data and Live2D Help provide learning resources. Live2D also reports a vulnerability that could crash older Editor or Viewer versions when malformed MOC3 files are loaded, and provides a consistency checker for checking files.

Pricing

Cubism is freemium. The PRO trial lasts 42 days, then the Editor continues as FREE. That makes it possible to begin without an ongoing charge, but the free tier is not an unrestricted production option.

FREE allows one texture file up to 2048 px, 100 ArtMesh, 30 motion parameters, 50 deformers and 30 parts. Exceeding those limits prevents saving, a consequential constraint for anyone whose model grows beyond the caps. Commercial use is permitted only for General Users and Small-Scale Enterprises with annual sales under 10 million yen; other users are limited to non-commercial or supervision purposes.

For eligible indie users, Cubism PRO for indie — Monthly is $13.26 a month, while the annual plan costs $91.02 a year in year one, $74.96 a year in year two and $68.07 a year from year three onward. Annual subscriptions cannot be cancelled during the subscription year, so the lower recurring annual rates trade flexibility for commitment. The 3-year plan is $234.05 a month and is non-renewable. A separate indie monthly option is $13.21 a month; the indie Annual Plan — Year Three onward is $67.85 a year and likewise cannot be cancelled during the subscription year.

For medium or large businesses, PRO for business — Monthly costs $61.32 a month; annual pricing is $420.68 a year in year one, $380.91 a year in year two and $350.32 a year from year three onward. Annual terms cannot be cancelled mid-year. A separate business monthly plan is $61.11 a month for businesses with annual revenue of JPY 10M or more; its SDK Release License is not included. The business plans are the relevant route for larger organizations, but SDK release licensing still needs separate consideration. Plans without a published price have custom pricing.

Platforms

Cubism Editor downloads are offered for Windows and macOS, including Apple Silicon and Intel Mac versions. Although Cubism-related SDKs cover additional platforms depending on the SDK, that does not make the Editor itself an Android, iOS or web application.

Who it's for

Cubism is a strong fit for illustrators, character animators and studios that need to turn artwork into expressive 2D models, particularly for games, apps or VTuber workflows. The integrations and SDK ecosystem make it more relevant to projects that need models to move beyond the Editor. It is a weaker choice for users seeking a broadly platform-native editor, or for businesses whose commercial eligibility and SDK release needs do not align with the plan terms.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Mesh deformation, puppet animation, physics and lip-sync focus on expressive illustrated characters rather than generic animation; multiple image, video and model export formats support varied handoffs; manuals, tutorials and sample data support learning.
• Cons: FREE has tight model caps and prevents saving when they are exceeded; its commercial-use permission excludes larger enterprises and other users; Windows and macOS are the only Editor download platforms; annual PRO plans lock users in for the subscription year.

Alternatives

• Animaker is a freemium alternative with Android, iOS, API and web platforms; consider it when browser or mobile access matters more than Cubism’s illustration-model workflow.
• Callipeg is a paid option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, with one-time-purchase plans; choose it if that platform coverage and purchase model better fit.
• Animation Desk offers a free plan on Android, iOS and Windows; consider it for those platforms and its listed sketch-layer and sequence-based plans.
• OpenToonz is free and open source for commercial and non-commercial projects on Linux, macOS and Windows; it suits readers prioritizing that licensing and platform combination.
• RoughAnimator is a paid hand-drawn animation application for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.
• Tahoma2D is free, open-source 2D and stop-motion animation software for Linux, macOS and Windows; consider it for that broader animation scope.
• Vyond is a paid option on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows, with per-user monthly credits and video-download limits in its Starter plan; consider it if those outputs and limits suit your needs.
• Toon Boom Harmony is a paid Linux, macOS and Windows alternative whose Essentials plan includes vector drawing, HD/2K camera resolution, pressure-sensitive brush, onion skinning and ink and paint tools.

Browse more 2D Character Animation Software, 2D Game Animation Software, Game Animation Software, Cartoon Maker Software and Animation Software.

Verdict

Choose Live2D Cubism if your work depends on bringing illustrated characters to life with deformation, expressive motion and connected model workflows. Its specialized tools and export ecosystem are the main reasons to choose it; look elsewhere if the FREE caps or commercial terms constrain your project, or if you need an editor on platforms beyond Windows and macOS.