NFB releases free iPad animation app

The National Film Board of Canada has released McLaren’s Workshop, an iPad app that enables users to create films “using three different techniques used by Oscar-winning animator Normal McLaren”.

In practice, that seems to mean providing a simple interface for digitally recreating the look of animation the legendary McLaren created using techniques like paper cutouts and etching into film.

The tools of an Oscar winner, demonstrated by other Oscar nominees
To show what the app can do, the NFB has even roped in the likes of Don Hertzfeldt to create their own shorts, which can be seen on the NFB’s Vimeo channel.

As with any form of animation, you’ll need a bit of patience, but the app looks a lot of fun to use – and even if you don’t want to create anything yourself, it also includes 51 of McLaren’s own films.

We’d say that was worth the price in its own right – except since McLaren’s Workshop is completely free, there isn’t a price. All in all, an essential download.

Download McLaren’s Workshop from iTunes (Requires iOS 5.1 or later)

Watch animations created using the app on the NFB’s Vimeo channel