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Guide · Open source

How to use Pixelorama: install, draw sprites and export

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Pixelorama is a free, open-source pixel art editor for making sprites, tiles and animations. It runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and the web. This guide covers where to get it, what its main tools do, and how to animate and export your work so you can use it in a game or personal project.

PixeloramaOrama-Interactive/Pixelorama · ★ 10.9k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Download or install Pixelorama. Choose a stable build from Steam, Itch.io, GitHub Releases, Flathub or the web, or run winget install pixelorama on Windows.
  2. 2Set up your tools. Map tools to the left and right mouse buttons and turn on guides or grids for precise pixel placement.
  3. 3Create your sprite on layers. Draw on separate layers and apply clipping masks or non-destructive effects to test looks.
  4. 4Build the animation timeline. Add frames, use onion skinning to check motion, and name groups of frames with tags.
  5. 5Create tiles if needed. Use tilemap layers for rectangular, isometric or hexagonal tiles and check them with tile mode.
  6. 6Export your work. Save as PNG, animated PNG, spritesheet, GIF or video, or use the command line for bulk exports.

Where to download Pixelorama and how to install it

Pixelorama's stable versions are available from Steam (Windows and Linux), Itch.io (Windows, Linux, Mac and Web), GitHub Releases (Windows, Linux and Mac), GitHub Pages (Web) and Flathub (Linux). On Windows you can also install it with WinGet.

Early access builds are on the GitHub Actions page and a web version is also available. The project notes that these builds have bugs and are unstable, so stick to a stable version unless you want to test the main branch.

  • Steam: Windows and Linux
  • Itch.io: Windows, Linux, Mac and Web
  • GitHub Releases: Windows, Linux and Mac
  • Flathub: Linux
  • Web: use the GitHub Pages version in your browser
winget install pixelorama

Learn the interface and tools

Pixelorama lets you map tools to the left and right mouse buttons, so you can switch between two tools quickly while you draw. The UI is customizable, and shortcuts can be changed through its shortcut system.

The canvas has guides, rectangular and isometric grids, and a tile mode for checking repeating patterns. Pixel-focused features such as perfect pixel lines and an indexed mode are built in.

  • Assign tools to the left and right mouse buttons
  • Use guides and grids to keep pixels aligned
  • Turn on tile mode to check seamless patterns
  • Use indexed mode for palette-based art

Work with layers, palettes and effects

Layers let you separate parts of a drawing. Clipping masks and non-destructive visual effects such as outlines, gradient maps and drop shadows can be applied without changing the original artwork, which helps when you want to test styles.

Palettes can be picked from pre-made sets, imported, or created inside Pixelorama. Multiple image effects are available for fine-tuning.

  • Clipping masks limit a layer to the shape of another
  • Effects like outlines, gradient maps and drop shadows are non-destructive
  • Palettes can be built-in, imported or custom

Make an animation with frames and tags

Animations are built on a timeline of layers and frames. Onion skinning shows nearby frames so you can judge motion, and frame tags name groups of frames. You can also draw while the animation is playing.

Audio synchronization is listed as a timeline feature, and you can attach custom user data to layers, frames and cels.

  • Onion skinning shows nearby frames while you draw
  • Frame tags name a set of frames
  • Draw while the animation plays
  • Attach custom user data to layers, frames and cels

Build tilemaps for games

Tilemap layers create rectangular, isometric or hexagonal tiles. Use them when you need repeatable level pieces for a game.

Tile mode on the canvas helps you check that a tile repeats cleanly with its neighbours before you export it.

  • Rectangular, isometric and hexagonal tile layouts
  • Tile mode checks how tiles join

Export your files

Pixelorama supports PNG, animated PNG, spritesheets, GIFs and videos. For bulk work, the command line interface can automate file exports.

The project's GIF exporter comes from a third-party plugin, and the web version uses its own file exchange plugin for loading and saving files in the browser.

  • Formats: PNG, animated PNG, spritesheets, GIF and video
  • Command line interface for bulk exports

What people use it for

  • Drawing sprites for a 2D game
  • Building tilesets with rectangular, isometric or hexagonal tiles
  • Animating characters frame by frame with layers and a timeline
  • Exporting spritesheets or GIFs for game engines or social posts
  • Testing pixel art styles with non-destructive effects

Frequently asked questions

Is Pixelorama free?

Yes. Pixelorama is open-source and licensed under the MIT license. The project describes it as free, with free community-made extensions available.

How do I install Pixelorama on Windows?

You can install it with WinGet using the command winget install pixelorama. Stable builds are also available on Steam, Itch.io and GitHub Releases.

Does Pixelorama run on Mac and Linux?

Yes. The README lists Windows, Linux, macOS and the web. Linux users can get it from Steam, Itch.io, GitHub Releases or Flathub, and Mac users from Itch.io or GitHub Releases.

Which export formats does Pixelorama support?

The source lists PNG, animated PNG, spritesheets, GIFs and videos. The command line interface can automate exports for bulk work.

Is Pixelorama stable enough for daily work?

The project recommends a stable version. Early access builds from GitHub Actions or the early access web version have bugs and are unstable.

How does Pixelorama compare to Aseprite or Krita?

Pixelorama is built around pixel art, covering sprites, tiles and animation. Aseprite, Krita, GrafX2 and LibreSprite are comparable projects, and Krita is a more general-purpose painting program. Pick the one whose features match your work.

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Our verdict

Pixelorama suits pixel artists and game developers who want a free, MIT-licensed editor for sprites, tiles, animations and spritesheet exports on Windows, Linux, macOS or the web. If you need a general photo or vector editor, or a build that is fully stable from the main branch, pick a different tool.

Install options & downloads