Shape Shifter is a web-based tool for creating icon animations that export to multiple platforms including Android, iOS, and the web.
The tool addresses the challenge of creating path morphing animations, which requires SVG paths to be compatible—having the same number and type of drawing commands. Design tools like Sketch and Illustrator make this difficult because they do not expose point ordering, cannot place multiple points at the same location, and cannot visualize intermediate animation states. Shape Shifter solves this by providing a visual editor where designers and engineers can manipulate paths directly, reorder drawing commands, and preview morphing animations in real time before export.
Developers should choose this tool if they need to produce icon animations across multiple platforms. It suits projects targeting Android with AnimatedVectorDrawable format, web applications using SVG or CSS keyframe animations, and iOS deployments. The tool exports to standalone SVGs, SVG spritesheets, CSS keyframe animations for web, and AnimatedVectorDrawable for Android, with a beta version adding direct path drawing and editing capabilities using paper.js.
The project maintains an active community presence with a dedicated Slack channel for questions. Development is supported through an open collective funding model that accepts both one-time and recurring contributions to support hiring and feature development.
