# How do i start making a project plz help **URL:** \ **Category:** Help and Advice\ **Created:** [6 June 2021 16:47 UTC](https://discuss.pencil2d.org/t/how-do-i-start-making-a-project-plz-help/5688 "2021-06-06T16:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 2
**Author:** ![JoseMoreno](https://discuss.pencil2d.org/user_avatar/discuss.pencil2d.org/josemoreno/32/7_2.png) [@JoseMoreno](https://discuss.pencil2d.org/u/JoseMoreno)\ **Post date:** [6 June 2021 21:30 UTC](https://discuss.pencil2d.org/t/how-do-i-start-making-a-project-plz-help/5688/2 "2021-06-06T21:30:49Z")
@Wolfamations Hi. Hmm Pencil2D is not an online drawing program. You have to download the software and run it from within your computer. # Downloading To download the software go to [Download | Pencil2D Animation](https://pencil2d.org/download) in there at the very top you’ll see a list of operating systems. You need to select the one you’re currently using. For example if you are using Windows 10 Home, you would choose the link under the _first_ window icon to the left. Then you’ll have to know if your operating system is either 64bit or 32 bit. This is really easy here’s a guide form Microsoft for that: [Find Information About Your Windows Device - Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/which-version-of-windows-operating-system-am-i-running-628bec99-476a-2c13-5296-9dd081cdd808) Once you know this value, just click on the appropriate blue-ish text that says _64bit_ or _32bit_ accordingly. # Setup the files One you download the package, you will obtain a **ZIP** file. This file contains a lot of files necessary for Pencil2D to run in your computer. Once you have this ZIP file please follow step #1 and #2 of this guide: [[Guide] How to Train Your Pencil2D (Windows)](https://discuss.pencil2d.org/t/guide-how-to-train-your-pencil2d-windows/4106) Once you have **unblocked** and **unzipped** the Pencil2D folder (preferably on a part of your drive where you can always access it) you have to enter the folder and find the **pencil2d.exe** file, it will be the **only file with a pencil icon**. # Running the app ⚠ **Important** : Pencil2D is a portable application, it does **_not_** need to be installed. In turn you won’t find it on the windows programs list, nor in the task bar unless you specifically put it there. When running Pencil2D for the **first time** , If by any change you get **any** of the following errors I’ll link solutions below on how to fix them. These are usually due to Windows lacking certain files, it’s not up to Pencil2D if you get the error or not. # Potential errors on startup 1. **Qt5Widgets.dll was not found** _Note: If you following the previous guide you shouldn’t find this issue at all._ **Solution** - a. Right click on the ZIP file you just downloaded and select `Extract all`. - b. Go to the location you just extract to, find `Pencil2D.exe` and double click on it. 2. **MSVCP140.dll / VC\_RUNTIME\_140\_.dll is missing** **Solution** - a. Double click and install the `vcredist_x64.exe` or `vcredist_x86.exe` file inside the **Pencil2D** folder. or visit the appropriate Microsoft website to download this component [Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads | Microsoft Learn](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads-2647da03-1eea-4433-9aff-95f26a218cc0) 3. **api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing** _Note: This usually only happens for Windows versions older than 10._ **Solution** - a. Download and install the following windows updates: - Win7 32bit: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51137](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51137) - Win7 64bit: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51161](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51161) - Win8 32bit: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51106](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51106) - Win8 64bit: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51109](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51109) # Using Pencil2D One you managed to successfully open the software you’ll be greeted automatically by a new file with a blank canvas and a camera viewfinder. To the left you’ll see the **toolbar** , the **options panel** and the **onion skin panel** _Note: If you don’t see this panel go to the **topbar menu \> windows \> onion skins** _ On the bottom you’ll see the **timeline panel** here you will get 3 types of basic layers added automatically: 1. 🖌 **Bitmap layer** : to draw with (smooth or raw) pixels. Colors can be painted softly. Think MSPaint or FireAlpaca. 2. 🔺 **Vector layer** : to draw with smooth lines. Colors can only be flat (⚠ 🗣 This layer is still in development, so we don’t recommend to use it yet) 3. 🎥 Camera Layer: This layer is what determines what is seen in the final video. 🟢 The camera is **always** on top of everything. The canvas is **always** below it. 🟢 The camera is shown as a grey area with a **center cutout** we call a **viewfinder**. You will see the canvas through the camera. 🟢 You can **move / rotate / zoom** the camera with the **hand tool** Clicking & dragging will transform the camera `LMB` (left mouse button) → pan / move | `LMB`+`CTRL` → zoom | `LMB`+`ALT` → Tilt | 🟢 and a default camera size of 800 (wide) x600 (height) Each layer can have their own type of frames. To start drawing you need to: 1. Select a layer with your mouse. 2. Move the playhead / timeline cursor (blue-ish vertical bar) to a specific frame position on the frame ruler (e.g 1st frame, 2nd frame, 3rd frame, 20th frame etc) 3. Then press the single plus icon to add a new blank frame to hold your drawing. 4. Pick either Pencil, Pen or Brush tool on the toolbox and start drawing on the white canvas. 5. For more drawings in sequence, repeat step 2 to 4 on the active layer. # Exporting Once you’re done you can export your single drawing or sequence of drawings (animation) by using the export action. Export Command Menus 1. **File \> Export \> Image** for still images 2. **File \> Export \> Movie** for videos 3. **File \> Export \> Animated Gif** for GIF’s (_don’t forget to enable the_ `[x] Loop` _checkbox_) --- _[View the full topic](https://discuss.pencil2d.org/t/how-do-i-start-making-a-project-plz-help/5688)._