Aseprite

Note: Beta versions are available only through Steam, Humble Bundle, itch.io and Gumroad.

While many will not admit it, the truth is that having the best tools available does not a guarantee success. In the end, what really matters is the skill and proficiency of the one welding them. If you could also simplify the process while at it, then you could focus more on the creative part.

Aseprite is a tool that works on this principle. Although it packs numerous features for creating 2D animation and pixel art, it also provides a user-friendly environment that makes the designing process smoother.

The program comes with a retro interface that is quite refreshing and suiting, considering the role and nature of the tool. Getting around is quite easy, with all menus and options available where you expect them for a trouble-free workflow.

Organizing layers is straightforward, and you can create, copy, move, and effortlessly drag & drop layers with intuitive ease. The same goes for frames and cells that you can include as a bulk of several animations in the same file. The app provides playback modes, onion skin features, and red/blue modes, so you can easily control everything.

You will be happy to learn that the program works with a wide variety of file formats, and you can view them all when using the import or export functions. A nice touch is that you can open or save a sequence of images in PNG format, essential for creating sprite animations.

You can create animated GIFs, export work to sprite sheets in PNG and JSON formats, and recover sprites in case of a crash. Whether you're aiming for retro-style aesthetics or modern pixel art, Aseprite provides a comprehensive platform for animators and game developers to bring their creations to life.