Flipbook Maker: Pack, Split & Video-to-Sprite-Sheet for VFX
This free, browser-based flipbook maker is also a full sprite sheet generator for game and motion VFX. First, pack image frames into a texture atlas; next, split an existing sprite sheet back into cards; or alternatively, extract frames from video (MP4/WebM/MOV) with trim and alpha keying. Because everything runs locally in your browser — no uploads, no sign-up — you can export engine-ready assets for Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, and custom shaders in minutes.
Three tools in one flipbook maker
Pack frames → sheet
Drop your animation frames, then arrange them on an auto or custom grid. In addition, you can scale and stretch within cells, preview the flipbook, and finally export an alpha-preserving sprite sheet plus JSON metadata.
Split sheet → cards
Drop a sprite sheet or texture atlas and slice it into individual frames by grid or cell size. Therefore, you can trim empty cells, download a ZIP, or send cards straight to Pack to rebuild a flipbook.
Split video → cards
Drop an MP4, WebM, or MOV clip — for example stock fire, muzzle flash, or your own footage. Then trim the section you need, skip frames, preview the sampling, key alpha for fire on black, and pack into a sprite sheet.
What is a flipbook in game VFX?
In real-time graphics, a flipbook (also called a sprite sheet, SubUV texture, or flipbook animation) is a single image divided into a grid of frames. Instead of streaming dozens of separate files, the GPU samples one texture and advances UV coordinates each frame to create smooth animation. As a result, it is the standard way to render fire, smoke, explosions, splashes, and stylized effects — one draw call, one texture.
A flipbook maker automates the tedious work: packing frames into a perfectly aligned texture atlas, slicing finished atlases back into editable frames, or turning a short video clip into a sprite sheet ready for Niagara, Cascade, Unity VFX Graph, or Godot shaders.
How to make a flipbook sprite sheet
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1
Add frames or video
First, drop an image sequence (PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG) in Pack mode. Alternatively, slice an atlas in Split sheet, or load a video clip in Split video.
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2
Configure the grid
Next, set columns and rows or use auto grid. For video, trim the clip, skip frames, and adjust cell size, padding, scale, and power-of-two snap.
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3
Preview & export
Then play the flipbook preview, set FPS, and export PNG + JSON. For video workflows, send cards to Pack first to build a combined sheet.
Video to sprite sheet workflow
Have a looping MP4 of fire, smoke, or sparks but need a SubUV flipbook texture for your engine? In that case, Split video mode samples frames only inside your trim range (for example 2 s–6 s). Moreover, you can skip every Nth source frame and apply additive alpha so black backgrounds become transparent — perfect for particle flipbooks. After that, preview the sampled animation before export; then one click sends the cards to Pack mode for a final sprite sheet.
Flipbook maker features
Pack, split, and import
- Pack, Split sheet & Split video — work with frames, atlases, or MP4/WebM/MOV clips.
- Video trim & frame skip — sample only the section you need, at the rate you want.
- Additive / matte alpha — key fire and explosions on black for game-ready cards.
- Auto or manual grid — square-ish auto layout, or set columns and rows.
Layout and preview
- Frame scale & stretch — zoom and squash frames within cells (25–200%).
- Per-frame nudge — drag frames inside cells with rule-of-thirds guides.
- Power-of-two snap — GPU-friendly POT output dimensions.
- Trim & skip empty — crop transparent atlas cells when splitting sheets.
- Animated preview — play flipbooks with an adjustable FPS slider.
Export and privacy
- Premultiplied alpha — straight or premult export for UE / Unity.
- PNG, JSON & ZIP export — sheet PNG, metadata JSON, or all cards in one ZIP.
- Private & free — runs in your browser; files never leave your device.
What can you build with it?
Below are common use cases for this flipbook maker. For example, artists use it for particle VFX, engine SubUV textures, and unpacking downloaded atlases.
| Use case | Examples |
|---|---|
| Particle & VFX flipbooks | Fire, smoke, explosions, magic, sparks |
| Video to sprite sheet | MP4 stock footage → Unreal / Unity flipbook texture |
| Engine SubUV textures | Unreal Engine Niagara / Cascade flipbooks |
| Sprite sheet animations | Unity, Godot, 2D game sprites |
| Unpacking atlases | Slice a downloaded sheet back into editable frames |
| Shader-driven FX | UV-scrolled flipbook materials |
Need a custom or automated VFX pipeline?
Packing one flipbook is quick. However, batch-processing hundreds of effects — normalizing sizes, slicing atlases, extracting video frames, and exporting sheets on a schedule — is where studios lose real time. Therefore, Kick-Start.ai builds intelligent automation systems that wire this into your content pipeline.
Frequently asked questions
About flipbooks
What is a flipbook maker?
A flipbook maker packs a sequence of image frames into a single sprite sheet (texture atlas) arranged in a grid, so game engines and shaders can play the animation by scrolling through the frames.
Is a flipbook the same as a sprite sheet?
Essentially yes. In game VFX, “flipbook,” “sprite sheet,” and “SubUV texture” all refer to a grid of animation frames stored in one image and played in sequence.
Video and sprite sheets
Can it extract frames from a video (MP4)?
Yes. Split video mode loads MP4, WebM, or MOV files locally in your browser. First, set trim in/out points; then choose how many frames to extract and skip source frames if needed. After that, preview the sampling, apply additive or matte alpha, and export cards or send them to Pack for a sprite sheet.
Can it split an existing sprite sheet into frames?
Yes. Split sheet mode slices a texture atlas into individual cards by grid or cell size, with offset, spacing, trim, and skip-empty options. Download each card, all cards as a ZIP, or JSON metadata — or send cards to Pack to rebuild a flipbook.
Formats, engines, and export
Which engines does the output work with?
The exported sheet works with Unreal Engine (SubUV / flipbook / Niagara), Unity sprite animation and VFX, Godot, and any custom UV-scrolling shader.
What file formats can I import?
Pack and Split sheet accept PNG, JPG, WebP, and SVG. Split video accepts MP4, WebM, and MOV. PNG and WebP preserve transparency; video extraction supports additive alpha for effects filmed on black.
Can it make power-of-two texture atlases?
Yes. Enable “Snap output to power-of-two” in Pack mode and the output sheet is rounded up to the next power-of-two dimensions for GPU efficiency.
Does it support premultiplied alpha?
Yes. Toggle premultiplied alpha on export for engines like Unreal Engine and Unity that expect it; otherwise it exports straight (un-premultiplied) alpha.
Is it free, and are my files uploaded?
It is free to use and runs entirely in your browser. Your images and videos are processed locally and never leave your device.
Need a walkthrough? Free flipbook maker guide covers pack, split, MP4 extract, and cleaner sprite sheets.