Pixel Art Maker: A Guide to Choosing a Pixel Art Program

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Among the many popular styles of art and illustration is pixel art. Pixel art is an illustration that is created digitally through software to achieve an image in which its smallest pieces -- the pixels -- are manipulated in some form. This pixel manipulation is an image that looks much like the graphics on 80s computer games looked. Traditional pixel art was created using a very limited color palette. However, as the art form grows in popularity, it is not uncommon to see artists put their stamp on their work in various surprising ways, including using a broader palette.

What Is Pixel Art Software?

As stated, pixel art is a digital art form, meaning you will need software to manipulate your image at the pixel level. The software includes tools to manipulate the image, including the ability to alter the dots per inch and the number of pixels you're working with; color your picture through shade, mask, and fill functions; select from a broad color palette; resample your art to be saved and shared.

There are many free pixel art sites available online. However, these sites aren't always a secure place to create your art, and many of these sites fail to provide a way to save your work offline. There are also various graphic design software programs available for purchase that offer more capabilities. The difficulty then becomes choosing the one that will work best for you. Fortunately, CorelDRAW provides a free trial so that you can try their graphic design software for your pixel art.

How to Choose a Pixel Art Creator

As with selecting any graphics art software, there are some things to look for when choosing a pixel art creator. Some of the features you will want to look for include:

• The ability to create a draft of your work and work in a safe mode in which alterations are not permanent until you decide you like the changes you've made.
• The ability to collaborate on your image with clients or colleagues to complete a group project for work or school.
• The ability to use the software on the platform of your choice.
• Multiple settings and options to give your pixel art a unique look that you have envisioned.
• The ability to add text with a large variety of available fonts.
• Creating an illustration from start to finish and saving it in a web-ready or print-ready format.
• A learning center complete with video tutorials and message boards on which other artists share tips and tricks to using the software that can save you time and help you learn new skills.
• A free trial allows you to use the software to decide if it is the right pixel art maker for you.

Trust CorelDRAW for Your Pixel Art

Try CorelDRAW's complete Graphics Suite for free with a 15-day trial and learn why pixel artists and other artists around the world trust CorelDRAW for their graphic art needs. Our pixel art maker download puts powerful tools in your hands and makes learning easy through our user-friendly design environment as well as online tutorials and communities. Whether you are creating pixel art for your website, graphics for your online game or app, or your work will appear in print, CorelDRAW makes creativity fun.