PixelPen

What PixelPen is

PixelPen is a free, open-source pixel art editor and animation tool built with the Godot Engine. It can be used inside a Godot project as an addon or run as a standalone application. The project is written in GDScript and C++ as a GDExtension plugin, and is licensed under MIT. PixelPen lists support for Windows, macOS, Linux, the web, and Android. To add it to a Godot project, copy the addons folder into the project and retain the directory name addons/net.yarvis.pixel_pen. For standalone use, set editor_main_ui.tscn as the main scene, then export the project for the target platform. The Asset Store lists Godot 4.5 as the minimum version; the v1.2.0 release lists Godot v4.7.1. The Asset Store download is 7.21 MB and its listed version is marked unstable, which can signal experimental or untested features. The web demo is a preview where some features may not work properly. The project recommends opening an issue for problems or suggestions. Its free plan costs nothing.

Who it suits

PixelPen suits pixel artists who want an editor and animation tool that can be added to a Godot project or exported as a standalone application. It may also fit users who want to work across its listed desktop, web, and Android platforms.

Limits

The Asset Store lists Godot 4.5 as the minimum version and marks the listed version unstable. The web demo is a preview where some features may not work properly.

Getting started

1. Open the PixelPen project website on GitHub.
2. For Godot addon use, copy the addons folder into your Godot project.
3. Keep the plugin directory named addons/net.yarvis.pixel_pen.
4. For standalone use, set editor_main_ui.tscn as the main scene.
5. Export the project for the target platform.

Verdict

PixelPen combines pixel art editing and animation with Godot addon and standalone use. The free MIT-licensed project spans several platforms, though its Asset Store listing flags the version as unstable.