Your first sprite
Create a small project
Choose New project in the header. Enter a name, Width 16, Height 16, and a color mode. RGBA is a straightforward starting point. Confirm the new project.
Place pixels
Choose Pencil or press B, then choose a color in Colors and draw an outline. Eraser is E, Fill is F, and Sample color is I. Undo reverses a completed edit.
Adjust the view
Use the Zoom dropdown or Fit. Hand (H) pans the view. Zoom does not alter the saved pixel dimensions.
Use layers
Open Layers to add an image layer or group. Use the eye and lock controls to manage visibility and editing. Adjust opacity, blending, group membership, and cel X/Y offsets as needed.
Keep both files
Choose Save project backup in the header for a .pixelwall file. Export → Current frame PNG makes a finished raster image. Open project or image imports a saved native file or a supported image.
Save and recover
The document tabs keep separate projects on this device. Look for Saved on this device after a change. Recovery lists saved revisions; restoring one creates a new current revision while keeping recoverable history.
Local autosave is not cloud sync. If saving reports a storage or conflict error, keep the editor open and download a .pixelwall backup. Browser or operating-system cleanup can remove local storage.
What is free and how large can I work?
Drawing, animation editing, scripting and the command API are free. Editable PixelWall and supported sprite files, plus individual PNG, BMP and TGA frame exports, are free. Pro is $15 USD once for animated GIFs, sprite sheets and atlases, game package ZIPs, and saved export presets.
The document engine accepts canvas sides from 1 to 65,535 pixels, with at most 4,194,304 canvas pixels, up to 256 layers including groups, and up to 2048 frames. A document may store at most 16,777,216 image pixels across its distinct images. Linked cels share image data. Browser canvas limits and available memory can be lower, especially for very wide sprites. Check representative artwork on your device.
Keyboard and workspace preferences
Open Workspace settings to change tool shortcuts, sidebar position, and timeline height. Choose Floating to move the panel area, or dock it left or right. Pin panel keeps a section open while you switch tabs. Command/Ctrl+Z undoes, Command/Ctrl+S saves locally, and Command/Ctrl+K opens command search. Tool shortcuts apply when you are not typing in a field.
Common questions
Which key selects Pencil?
B in the current editor. The classic editor has its older controls and shortcuts.
Do I need Pro to save editable work?
No. Native PixelWall and supported sprite exports are free, as are individual PNG, BMP, and TGA frames.
Where are my documents saved?
In IndexedDB on this browser and device. Download a project backup to move or independently preserve your work.