Pixel Painting Software ...

**Kiwi** · 23 May 2006, 10:18 PM

Hi!
As a result of my partners delight in making images using "Pixel painting", I have come to like the clarity and low Kb size of this method of creating pics.
We have, W/Paint, Paint.net/Pixel Studio and GraphicsGale as well as Photo Impact.
My question is...
Are there any software programs that are able to combine as many of the most used (in my case) capabilities in the one program.
To mention a few. Export a gif transparent background, Layers, Colour gradients, copy/paste between layers, easy colour changing etc etc.
Most of the programs listed above can do many things well but it appears that none can do everything that I'm looking for without having to use one of the others to :for example Save as transparent b/g gif.

Your thoughts on the pixel painting programs (Free or fairly cheap!) that you enjoy would be most appreciated Thank's

**Grafixman** · 24 May 2006, 12:54 AM

Graphics Gale seems to be the most specialized one for what you want to do.
Microangelo comes to mind, but I have not tried it. I think it's geared towards icon making, though...
Then there's UGA....

But you already know that.
LonK also mentioned Autodesk Animator in one of the topics. But I don't think it's still available now. Most links I found with Google are pretty old...and Autodesk is into CAD and 3D now...

**Kiwi** · 24 May 2006, 01:14 AM

Thank's GM

GraphicsGale is my preferred program but I haven't been able to save with a transparent background using it. (Or is it just me??

)
UGA5 is too unstable at big zoom sizes? ...Crash Crash ... Crash

**sunland** · 24 May 2006, 01:39 AM

You might try this free app Pixia,
http://park18.wakwak.com/~pixia/
Very capable bitmap program, I believe it can do all the things you require. The interface might be a bit different than you are used to, but it is easy to catch on. Be sure to check out the links to addtional filters on the download page.
adios

**Kiwi** · 24 May 2006, 10:32 AM

Thank's Sunland,
Will d/load and have a look at that one

**Grafixman** · 25 May 2006, 01:17 AM

Pixel Painting software...
I have downloaded and tried Pixia in the past, but I must confess that it didn't really work for me. Just my personal opinion and not meant to put it down in any way, but the interface is pretty confusing. It does have some very innovative brushes and fills, though.
Another software to add to the suggestion list is Dogwaffle. http://www.squirreldome.com/cyberop.htm
The brushes are amazing and version 1.2 is free. Limited to only two layers on the free version, and file formats for saving is only bmp and tga (free version) but if you have a tablet, you'll find that the brush response is wonderful. Check it out, too...
One more suggestion is Open Canvas.
http://www.portalgraphics.net/en/
It's a Japanese software, but there are english versions and trial downloads. I've seen some pretty good artworks done with it that would rival Painter artwork. But then again, the artists that did those are very skilled to start with..

**Kiwi** · 25 May 2006, 05:39 AM

Thank's again Guys

Have had a try at all you mentioned and (in my humble opinion) none match graphixgale as a dedicated pixel software for ease of use. If I was looking for a good painting program things may be different lol. (I have Photo Impact for that.)
Appreciate all the links and advise so far ... Thank you both very much

**staigermanus** · 07 June 2006, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by Grafixman

<snip>

Another software to add to the suggestion list is Dogwaffle. http://www.squirreldome.com/cyberop.htm

...
<snip>

As for Project Dogwaffle, there are lots of tutorials here:

www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/tuts

In fact, we just added 5 which include the use of Dogweaver, a free plugin for ArtWeaver that connects to Dogwaffle:

www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/dotm/hanzz

The free version of Dogwaffle 1.2 continues to be available too, and Dogweaver works with that version too. PD Pro 3 has a whole lot more features that are aimed at animation. FYI, the latest version 3.6, with 3.7 currently in beta.

**gidgit** · 08 June 2006, 07:07 AM

Geez, some great suggestions here... and don't forget the free Deep Paint by Right Hemishere... it's a fairly robust app, and hefty in size, but for free it's a pretty decent app... ps like interface

**staigermanus** · 08 June 2006, 03:42 PM

Since I mentioned the Dogweaver plugin from Artweaver to Dogwaffle, here's the free paint program named Artweaver:

http://www.artweaver.de

and the free version of Dogwaffle:

http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/free