Welcome to TVPaint Community forums !

I tried to install a custom brush that I downlaoded. It is a .tvpx file. I created a new tool bar and imported the brush, but it didn't import the brush. Instead, it deleted all of the tools from my Animator panel and now I don't know how to get them back. Please help. thanks.

Also, I reinstalled TVP, but I'm still missing my Animator tools. Very frustrating.

hello :
please proceed as follow :
Edit > Preferences > Startup Tab > Use startup panel.
Once done, quit and restart the software : you will have the startup panel, in which you can reset your configuration. (there is no reset of the configuration when you un-install the software)

when you RMB-click the Custom Panel icon from the menu toolbar, don't you get "Animator Panel" in the popup list ?
if it's there but unchecked, check it ON, if it isn't, reset your config by following Fabrice's way.

Thanks!