DSi's Flipnote Studio out in Europe on 14 August

There's been plenty of interest and speculation about the exact release of Nintendo's Flipnote Studio animation package for the DSi but finally it's been announced as 14th August in Europe.

And the really good news is it's going to be free.

As its name suggests, Flipnote Studio basically works as a paper flip pad where you draw one image per page and make small changes to each so that when you flick through them, it creates the illusion of movement.

Flipnote Studio makes this easier than on paper because you can copy each image and use the tools such as pencil and eraser to edit it.

You can also colour in your drawings (black, red and blue only) and add audio via your DSi's microphone.

Other options include the ability to adjust the speed of the Flipnote, and import photos as black and white images from your Nintendo DSi camera album.

Nintendo has also set up an online service so you can share your works of art.

Called Flipnote Hatena, you can trade, rate and save animations from users who have uploaded the Flipnotes. It's even possible to continue a Flipnote created by another user.

Indeed, as well as being accessible from your DSi, the website - http://flipnote.hatena.com/ (currently locked) - will be open to everyone so you can also watch, evaluate and comment via PC.