Compare Aseprite vs. Pixen

Aseprite is a powerful tool designed for crafting 2D animations specifically tailored for video games, allowing users to create everything from sprites to pixel art and graphics inspired by the nostalgic 8-bit and 16-bit gaming eras. The software features a color mode that specifies the number of colors that can be used in an image, and it enforces a strict rule: all images within a sprite must be in the same mode, meaning you cannot combine RGB images with Indexed images. It also provides a series of layers accessible through the Timeline, with a crucial distinction between two types of layers: a single background layer meant for opaque sprites and multiple transparent layers that can coexist within the same sprite. Furthermore, Aseprite includes animation frames, each defined by a duration that determines how long it appears on screen during playback. To enhance your workflow, Aseprite can be integrated into your asset pipeline through its command-line interface (CLI), allowing developers to efficiently store multiple animations within a single texture atlas and streamline the animation process. This makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to produce engaging and visually appealing 2D animations for their projects.

Pixen is a professional pixel art editor designed for working with low-resolution raster art, such as those 8-bit sprites found in old-school video games. Take advantage of Pixen's wide array of tools when composing pixel art such as Pencil, Eraser, Brightness, Text, Eyedropper, Zoom, Rectangular Selection, Magic Wand, Lasso, Move, Fill, Line, Rectangle, and Ellipse. Compose your artwork with layers, taking advantage of the flexibility layers provide when working with complex pixel art. Change opacity, blending modes, and more to compose creative effects. Use filters to adjust colors, create effects, and post-process your artwork. With Pixen, you can add and organize commonly-used colors into palettes. Create and arrange image frames in the filmstrip view to piece together animations. Pixen can import animations from animated GIFs, animated PNGs, and even sprite sheets! It can also export animations as animated GIFs, animated PNGs, movies, and sprite sheets. Take advantage of Pixen's grid tools to guide you in placing pixels just where you want them. Define custom patterns to use while drawing with the Pencil, Line, or Eraser tool (instead of a single pixel).