[isometric_8]

I make game developer tools for fun and to fill a need that I myself might encounter when trying to make a game. I figured creating a pixel art editor would be a good challenge (graphics programming is hard), I wanted it to be fast and as easy to use as possible, something that Photoshop users could comfortably use as a replacement. A 99% fully functional free demo is available for download (you just can't save the layered art files to disk using the demo version).

[pseudonymcoward]

My biggest question is "why would I buy this and not Aseprite?". Aseprite is very well established in this space and this new tool doesn't seem like it has anythign unique to offer. Not that building a new tool isn't a good project, but when you're selling it you probably need some distinctive features, certainly if you want to win over existing users.

[isometric_8]

Aseprite is a very good product! For me personally I don't like the interface but that's just personal taste and maybe there are others out there who might prefer something like what I've created, I would hope so. Lightcube imports PSD which last I checked Aseprite doesn't do(?), text editing is inline as opposed to a text field in a window and the shape tool includes isometric ellipse which is pain in the butt to draw. Bottom line is 80% of any pixel art editor is the same functionality as any other editor, but once you've established that you can start to add on the innovative ideas and start to differentiate. Well, that's the plan anyhow. Either way, competition is a good thing!

[Repose0941]

I think creating something for fun is good by itself, also the app looks good. Personally I wouldn't use since I use Linux and prefer OSS, but the app looks really cool, congrats

[isometric_8]

Thank you! that's encouraging

[diath]

Additionally, Aseprite runs on Linux, which is a big pro for me.

[S0y]

Aseprite is also open-source and free if you compile it yourself. https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite

[hn_acker]

Aseprite is source-available now, not open source [1]. Libresprite [2] is a fork of a past GPLv2 version of Aseprite.

[1] https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite/blob/main/EULA.txt

[2] https://github.com/LibreSprite/LibreSprite

[yareal]

Aseprite files also can be ingested directly by tools down the line. Godot, for instance, with a plugin can setup all your animations directly from an aseprite file.

[user1023212124]

The Aseprite homepage mentions Windows, Ubuntu/Linux, and macOS for their trial: https://www.aseprite.org/trial/

I assume that Aseprite runs on all these platforms.

[RunSet]

> My biggest question is "why would I buy this and not Aseprite?"

"why would I buy this and when paint.net is free?"

$15 seems like a big ask when equivalent or greater functionality can be had at no cost.

[a1o]

I think both Aseprite and Graphics Gale are great tools for pixel art. If you have Aseprite on Steam, you can try the experimental branches to try features before they are fully fledged. I've been using the tile branch and playing with it for some time now.

You can also compile for yourself if you want - even though I have bought it on Steam I have my own build too that I use in an old Linux computer when I want to draw in non-distracted almost offline way.