Best Software for Pixel Art
Looking for the best software for pixel art?
Who needs to use pixel art software?
Pixel art software is typically used by game developers, graphic designers, and digital artists who want to create low-resolution, highly-detailed graphics.
Game developers often use pixel art to create sprites and backgrounds for 2D games. The low resolution of pixel art allows for smaller file sizes and faster rendering times, which is important for games that need to run smoothly on a variety of hardware. Additionally, pixel art has a retro aesthetic that is popular in many indie games.
Graphic designers may use pixel art to create logos, icons, and other graphics for websites, apps, or other digital media. Pixel art can be used to create graphics that have a retro or nostalgic look, or to create graphics that have a clean, precise look.
Digital artists may use pixel art as a medium for creating digital art. Pixel art allows for a high degree of control over individual pixels, which can be used to create highly detailed and precise images. Additionally, pixel art has a unique aesthetic that is different from traditional digital art, which can be appealing to some artists.
Overall, pixel art software is a tool that can be used by anyone who wants to create graphics that have a specific look and feel that is different from traditional digital art. Whether you’re a game developer, graphic designer, or digital artist, pixel art can be a fun and rewarding medium to work with.
What types of software can you use for creating pixel art?
There are many software programs that can be used for creating pixel art. Some popular options include:
- Adobe Photoshop
- GIMP
- Aseprite
- Pro Motion
- Pyxel Edit
- GrafX2
- Piskel
- Paint.NET
- Krita
- Deluxe Paint
- Microsoft Paint (not recommended for professional use)
It really depends on your preference and the features you need. Some programs are more geared towards pixel art and have more tools specific to that medium, while others are more general-purpose image editing programs that can also be used for pixel art.
Let’s take a look at my top 5 picks in 2023 with the pros and cons of each:
1. Gimp
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source image editing software that can be used for creating pixel art. It is a cross-platform program that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Pros:
- GIMP is a powerful and versatile software that can be used for a wide range of image editing tasks, including pixel art. It has a wide range of tools and features that can be used to create detailed and precise pixel art.
- GIMP is a cross-platform software which means it can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux, which can be beneficial for users who work on different platforms.
- GIMP has a wide range of plugins and scripts which can enhance its functionality and add new features.
- GIMP supports a wide variety of file formats, including PNG, BMP, JPEG, and TIFF, which makes it easy to export your artwork for use in other programs.
- GIMP has a large and active community, which means that you can find help and tutorials online easily.
Cons:
- GIMP has a steep learning curve, especially for beginners who are not familiar with image editing software. The interface can be overwhelming at first and it may take some time to learn all the features and tools.
- Some users find GIMP to be slow and resource-intensive, especially when working with larger or more complex images.
- Some users may find the interface to be less intuitive than other pixel art software.
- GIMP does not have as many specialized tools for pixel art as some other pixel art software, such as Aseprite or Pyxel Edit.
In summary, GIMP is a powerful and versatile image editing software that can be used for creating pixel art. It has a wide range of tools and features, and it is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. However, it has a steep learning curve and may not be the best choice for beginners or those looking for a more specialized pixel art software.
2. Piskel
Piskel is a free and open-source online pixel art software that can be used for creating pixel art. It is a browser-based software that can be used on any device with an internet connection.
Pros:
- Piskel is a simple and easy-to-use software that is well-suited for beginners or anyone looking to quickly create pixel art. It has a simple interface that is easy to navigate and the tools are straightforward to use.
- Piskel is an online software, which means that you can access it from any device with an internet connection, this can be beneficial for users who work on different computers or devices.
- Piskel has a built-in animation feature which allows you to create animated sprites and gifs, this can be useful for game developers or anyone looking to create animations.
- Piskel has a wide range of tools that are specifically tailored to pixel art, such as a color cycling tool, a palette editor, and a dithering tool.
- Piskel has a built-in image export feature that allows you to export your art in various image formats, including PNG, GIF, and sprite sheet.
Cons:
- Piskel is an online software which means it may not be suitable for users who are working on projects that require a stable internet connection.
- Some users may find that Piskel’s feature set is too basic for more complex projects and may require more advanced features.
- Some users may find the interface to be less intuitive than other pixel art software.
- Piskel doesn’t have a feature for working with layers, which can make it more difficult to organize and make changes to your artwork.
- Piskel has a small community compared to other pixel art software, which means that finding help and tutorials online may be more difficult.
In summary, Piskel is a simple and easy-to-use pixel art software that is well-suited for beginners or anyone looking to quickly create pixel art. It is available online and has a built-in animation feature which can be useful for game developers or anyone looking to create animations. However, it may not be suitable for users who are working on projects that require a stable internet connection, and it doesn’t have a feature for working with layers.
3. Pro Motion
Pro Motion is a commercial pixel art software that is designed specifically for creating pixel art, animations and tile maps. It is available for Windows and macOS
Pros:
- Pro Motion is a specialized software that is designed specifically for creating pixel art, animations and tile maps, which means it has a wide range of features and tools that are tailored to that medium.
- Pro Motion has a wide range of tools and features that are specifically tailored to pixel art, such as a color cycling tool, a palette editor, and a dithering tool.
- Pro Motion has a built-in animation feature which allows you to create animated sprites and gifs, this can be useful for game developers or anyone looking to create animations.
- Pro Motion has a built-in image export feature that allows you to export your art in various image formats, including PNG, GIF, and sprite sheet.
- Pro Motion has a built-in tile map feature which can be useful for creating backgrounds and levels for games.
- Pro Motion has a built-in support for working with layers, which can help with organization and making changes to your artwork.
- Pro Motion has a active community and a good documentation which can be helpful for users who want to learn more about the software
Cons:
- Pro Motion is a commercial software which means that it has a cost, this could be a limitation for users who are on a tight budget.
- Some users may find that Pro Motion’s interface is less intuitive than other pixel art software.
- Pro Motion is only available for Windows and macOS, which means that users who work on other platforms may not be able to use it.
- Pro Motion is a powerful software with many features, which could be overwhelming for some users.
In summary, Pro Motion is a specialized software that is designed specifically for creating pixel art, animations and tile maps. It has a wide range of features and tools that are tailored to that medium, it has a built-in animation feature and tile map feature which can be useful for game developers or anyone looking to create animations. It is available for Windows and macOS, but it is a commercial software which means that it has a cost and its interface may not be as intuitive as other pixel art software.
4. Aseprite
Aseprite is a commercial pixel art software that is designed specifically for creating pixel art and animations. It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Pros:
- Aseprite is a specialized software that is designed specifically for creating pixel art and animations, which means it has a wide range of features and tools that are tailored to that medium.
- Aseprite has a wide range of tools and features that are specifically tailored to pixel art, such as a color cycling tool, a palette editor, and a dithering tool.
- Aseprite has a built-in animation feature which allows you to create animated sprites and gifs, this can be useful for game developers or anyone looking to create animations.
- Aseprite has a built-in image export feature that allows you to export your art in various image formats, including PNG, GIF, and sprite sheet.
- Aseprite has a built-in support for working with layers, which can help with organization and making changes to your artwork.
- Aseprite is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which means that users who work on different platforms can use it.
- Aseprite has a active community and a good documentation which can be helpful for users who want to learn more about the software.
Cons:
- Aseprite is a commercial software which means that it has a cost, this could be a limitation for users who are on a tight budget.
- Some users may find that Aseprite’s interface is less intuitive than other pixel art software.
- Aseprite is a powerful software with many features, which could be overwhelming for some users.
In summary, Aseprite is a specialized software that is designed specifically for creating pixel art and animations. It has a wide range of features and tools that are tailored to that medium, it has a built-in animation feature and it is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, it is a commercial software which means that it has a cost and its interface may not be as intuitive as other pixel art software.
5. GrafX2
GrafX2 is a free and open-source pixel art software that is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It is a Windows-based program that is well-suited for creating pixel art for games, icons, and other graphics.
Pros:
- GrafX2 is a lightweight and straightforward program that is easy to learn and use. It has a simple interface that is well-organized, and the tools are easy to understand and use.
- GrafX2 supports a wide variety of file formats, including PNG, BMP, PCX, and GIF, which makes it easy to export your artwork for use in other programs.
- It has a wide range of tools that are specifically tailored to pixel art, such as a color cycling tool, a palette editor, and a dithering tool.
- GrafX2 has the ability to work with layers which can help with organization and making changes to your artwork.
- It is a very stable software and has a relatively low memory footprint
- GrafX2 has a active community, which means that you can find help and tutorials online easily.
Cons:
- GrafX2 is a Windows-based program and is not available for Mac or Linux.
- Some users find the interface too simple and lack of certain advanced features. Some users may find the software too basic for more complex projects.
- Some users may find that GrafX2 lacks the ability to handle higher resolution images, this could be a problem for some users who need to work with larger images.
- GrafX2 does not have support for animation, this could be a limitation for some users.
In summary, GrafX2 is a great choice for beginners or anyone looking for a simple and easy-to-use pixel art software. It has a wide range of tools specifically tailored to pixel art and supports a variety of file formats. However, it may not be the best choice for more advanced users or those looking for more advanced features or support for Mac or Linux.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many software options available for creating pixel art, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities. Some popular options include Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Aseprite, Pro Motion, Pyxel Edit, GrafX2, Piskel, Paint.NET, Krita, Deluxe Paint and Microsoft Paint.
Each software has its own pros and cons and it depends on your preference and the features you need. Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Krita are more general-purpose image editing programs that can also be used for pixel art, while Aseprite, Pro Motion, Pyxel Edit, GrafX2, Piskel, and Deluxe Paint are more specialized for pixel art.
When choosing a software for creating pixel art, it is important to consider your own needs and experience level. For beginners, Piskel and GrafX2 can be a good option as they are simple and easy to use. For advanced users, Aseprite and Pro Motion can be a great option as they are specialized for pixel art and have a wide range of features.
In the end, the best software for pixel art is the one that fits your needs, preferences, and budget. It’s important to try out different software options and see which one works best for you.
