4 ms·

Aseprite: cross-platform, open source sprite and pixel art tool

188 points by tony 11y ago

falcolas 11y ago
I think they drunk too much of their own Kool-ade. Pixel sprites can make for a great, retro aesthetic, but using them for a full UI (including fonts) is too much, IMO. Watching the video, looking at the pictures; it's a lot of strain on the eyes due to the poor anti-aliasing and having to parse out a font I haven't used in decades.
LukeB_UK 11y ago
I LOVE Aseprite, I've been doing some artwork for games using it and it's been a great experience. Whilst it's open source and you can build it for yourself, you can pay $10 for it and get a built version. The lead dev, David Capello, has been working on this project full time since March 2015 so if you enjoy it, I'd encourage you to pay for it.
- degenerate 11y ago
  For anyone on Windows looking to give it a try without compiling, someone on DeviantArt compiled a Dev version (1.1.1): http://caencel.deviantart.com/art/Aseprite-1-1-1-dev-win-Download-461126971 http://caencel.deviantart.com/art/Aseprite-1-1-1-dev-win-Dow...
- anon4 11y ago
  And people actually pay rather than download a compiled binary? I've sometimes advocated that this could be a viable business model for an open-source project, maybe even have the license forbid redistribution of binaries, but each person I've proposed it to basically said the expected outcome is for people to just download the (illegal) binaries and give you no money.
  - dawnbreez 11y ago
    Humans instinctively like things that are clever or well-made, and tend to want to reward that; it's just a matter of where that bumps into the desire to get more for less.
acron0 11y ago
A quick glance at the source reveals a thing of beauty. Definitely a good reference for anyone looking for inspiration from a well-managed C++ project.
- tony 11y ago
  Yup. The codebase is extremely intuitive. For those who need a link the GitHub is at https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite. For those wondering how it's possible for it to look consistent across platforms and maintain that crisp, retro look, its' running Allegro 4 [1]. Libraries like SDL, Allegro, SFML, etc. are normally associated with games, but there are cases where it can used for creative tools as well. Schism Tracker [2], an open source recreation of Impulse Tracker [3] uses SDL to deliver a cross-platform app. Like Aseprite, it also can be part of one's tool belt for making an awesome retro game, since tools like that are great for chiptune/8 bit/16 bit beats [4]. On a related note, the creator of Impulse Tracker, Jeffrey Lim also released the full source code 2 years ago [5]. [1] https://wiki.allegro.cc/index.php?title=Allegro_4 https://wiki.allegro.cc/index.php?title=Allegro_4 [2] http://schismtracker.org/wiki/Schism%20Tracker http://schismtracker.org/wiki/Schism%20Tracker [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_Tracker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_Tracker [4] (example) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3VNsQmTGM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3VNsQmTGM [5] http://roartindon.blogspot.com/2014/02/20-years-of-impulse-tracker.html http://roartindon.blogspot.com/2014/02/20-years-of-impulse-t...
  - yoklov 11y ago
    Not that I've used Asesprite, and since its completely possible to avoid this I might be just spreading FUD or something, but one reason to avoid using something like SDL, Allegro, SFML, GLFW, etc, for a desktop application is that the style you typically use to write those (update at 30 or 60fps always) has very poor power consumption. When you don't care about this, it opens up a lot of possibilities for making your life easier though. Immediate mode UIs are an easy way of getting what is basically a poor man's reactive data binding, and while they don't necessitate this style, they work best with it (and avoiding it with them can be a little tricky). But again, never used Aesprite so I can't say if it does this. My suspicion would be that it doesn't! It's worth keeping in mind as a tool though.
douchescript 11y ago
It's good stuff, I've used this quite a bit, although I still prefer macpaint for 1bit graphics (this is more geared for slightly higher palettes). Love the pixel perfect line tool.
springogeek 11y ago
I used this tool during a GameJam last year and it was so great to use. I love that it is cross platform and although I built it myself, if I was using it more regularly I would happily pay for it.
archagon 11y ago
Seems quite undervalued at $10. I would expect this to cost $20-$30!
- seivan 11y ago
  Pixen costs the same so I guess that's why? https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixen/id525180431?mt=12 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixen/id525180431?mt=12
- mintplant 11y ago
  And it's free if you compile it yourself from source; Linux binaries are also provided for free [1]. But I love it so much I was happy to chip in a bit toward development. [1] Don't use version in the Debian repos - resizing the window doesn't work.
- kgwxd 11y ago
  FWIW I just bought it but I wouldn't have for $20. 10 is better than 0.
bitJericho 11y ago
I prefer pyxel edit myself. My main gripe is the non-native UI. It makes it clunky to use imo. Pyxel edit also has that faked UI made in flash but it's not clunky, anyway. My favorite editor is Tile Studio but unfortunately it doesn't really support alpha transparency properly at all and animation is annoying at best.
kcbanner 11y ago
I used aseprite to create all the graphics for my latest Android title, great piece of software.
makapuf 11y ago
I also love GrafX2 - quite powerful and opensource for pixel art editing. See : http://pulkomandy.tk/projects/GrafX2 http://pulkomandy.tk/projects/GrafX2 Nice palette and tile/anim tools !
xemoka 11y ago
This is an excellent piece of software, well worth it's cost. I really do enjoy tinkering in it.
infinite8s 11y ago
Aseprite is great! I've also been looking for a pixel based vector art tool, to be able to generate animations/cut scenes similar to "Another World" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_World_(video_game) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_World_(video_game))

188 points by tony 11y ago

I think they drunk too much of their own Kool-ade. Pixel sprites can make for a great, retro aesthetic, but using them for a full UI (including fonts) is too much, IMO. Watching the video, looking at the pictures; it's a lot of strain on the eyes due to the poor anti-aliasing and having to parse out a font I haven't used in decades.

LukeB_UK 11y ago

I LOVE Aseprite, I've been doing some artwork for games using it and it's been a great experience. Whilst it's open source and you can build it for yourself, you can pay $10 for it and get a built version. The lead dev, David Capello, has been working on this project full time since March 2015 so if you enjoy it, I'd encourage you to pay for it.

degenerate 11y ago
For anyone on Windows looking to give it a try without compiling, someone on DeviantArt compiled a Dev version (1.1.1): http://caencel.deviantart.com/art/Aseprite-1-1-1-dev-win-Download-461126971 http://caencel.deviantart.com/art/Aseprite-1-1-1-dev-win-Dow...
anon4 11y ago
And people actually pay rather than download a compiled binary? I've sometimes advocated that this could be a viable business model for an open-source project, maybe even have the license forbid redistribution of binaries, but each person I've proposed it to basically said the expected outcome is for people to just download the (illegal) binaries and give you no money.
- dawnbreez 11y ago
  Humans instinctively like things that are clever or well-made, and tend to want to reward that; it's just a matter of where that bumps into the desire to get more for less.

acron0 11y ago

A quick glance at the source reveals a thing of beauty. Definitely a good reference for anyone looking for inspiration from a well-managed C++ project.

tony 11y ago
Yup. The codebase is extremely intuitive. For those who need a link the GitHub is at https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite. For those wondering how it's possible for it to look consistent across platforms and maintain that crisp, retro look, its' running Allegro 4 [1]. Libraries like SDL, Allegro, SFML, etc. are normally associated with games, but there are cases where it can used for creative tools as well. Schism Tracker [2], an open source recreation of Impulse Tracker [3] uses SDL to deliver a cross-platform app. Like Aseprite, it also can be part of one's tool belt for making an awesome retro game, since tools like that are great for chiptune/8 bit/16 bit beats [4]. On a related note, the creator of Impulse Tracker, Jeffrey Lim also released the full source code 2 years ago [5]. [1] https://wiki.allegro.cc/index.php?title=Allegro_4 https://wiki.allegro.cc/index.php?title=Allegro_4 [2] http://schismtracker.org/wiki/Schism%20Tracker http://schismtracker.org/wiki/Schism%20Tracker [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_Tracker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_Tracker [4] (example) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3VNsQmTGM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3VNsQmTGM [5] http://roartindon.blogspot.com/2014/02/20-years-of-impulse-tracker.html http://roartindon.blogspot.com/2014/02/20-years-of-impulse-t...
- yoklov 11y ago
  Not that I've used Asesprite, and since its completely possible to avoid this I might be just spreading FUD or something, but one reason to avoid using something like SDL, Allegro, SFML, GLFW, etc, for a desktop application is that the style you typically use to write those (update at 30 or 60fps always) has very poor power consumption. When you don't care about this, it opens up a lot of possibilities for making your life easier though. Immediate mode UIs are an easy way of getting what is basically a poor man's reactive data binding, and while they don't necessitate this style, they work best with it (and avoiding it with them can be a little tricky). But again, never used Aesprite so I can't say if it does this. My suspicion would be that it doesn't! It's worth keeping in mind as a tool though.

douchescript 11y ago

It's good stuff, I've used this quite a bit, although I still prefer macpaint for 1bit graphics (this is more geared for slightly higher palettes). Love the pixel perfect line tool.

springogeek 11y ago

I used this tool during a GameJam last year and it was so great to use. I love that it is cross platform and although I built it myself, if I was using it more regularly I would happily pay for it.

archagon 11y ago

Seems quite undervalued at $10. I would expect this to cost $20-$30!

seivan 11y ago
Pixen costs the same so I guess that's why? https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixen/id525180431?mt=12 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixen/id525180431?mt=12
mintplant 11y ago
And it's free if you compile it yourself from source; Linux binaries are also provided for free [1]. But I love it so much I was happy to chip in a bit toward development. [1] Don't use version in the Debian repos - resizing the window doesn't work.
kgwxd 11y ago
FWIW I just bought it but I wouldn't have for $20. 10 is better than 0.

bitJericho 11y ago

I prefer pyxel edit myself. My main gripe is the non-native UI. It makes it clunky to use imo. Pyxel edit also has that faked UI made in flash but it's not clunky, anyway. My favorite editor is Tile Studio but unfortunately it doesn't really support alpha transparency properly at all and animation is annoying at best.

kcbanner 11y ago

I used aseprite to create all the graphics for my latest Android title, great piece of software.

makapuf 11y ago

I also love GrafX2 - quite powerful and opensource for pixel art editing. See : http://pulkomandy.tk/projects/GrafX2 http://pulkomandy.tk/projects/GrafX2 Nice palette and tile/anim tools !

xemoka 11y ago

This is an excellent piece of software, well worth it's cost. I really do enjoy tinkering in it.

infinite8s 11y ago

Aseprite is great! I've also been looking for a pixel based vector art tool, to be able to generate animations/cut scenes similar to "Another World" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_World_(video_game) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_World_(video_game))