Pro Motion NG
Pro Motion NG is a specialized pixel art creation tool designed for artists and game developers to design precise animations, tilemaps, and sprites for retro-style video games.
Piskel
Piskel is a free online editor for creating 2D pixel art and animated sprites with a live preview and export options for games and digital projects.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pro Motion NG | Piskel |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cosmigo.com | piskelapp.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1995 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Pohlheim, Germany | null |
Overview
Pro Motion NG
Pro Motion NG is a powerhouse for creating pixel-perfect art and animations, specifically tailored for the constraints of classic game consoles and mobile devices. You can manage indexed colors with precision, ensuring your palettes remain consistent across complex projects. Whether you are designing individual character sprites or massive seamless tilemaps, the software provides the specialized toolset you need to maintain a retro aesthetic while working with modern efficiency.
You can streamline your animation workflow using onion skinning to see previous frames and multi-layer editing to keep your project organized. The software solves the common headache of tile-based design by allowing you to draw directly into a tilemap, automatically updating all instances of a tile across your level. It is the go-to choice for professional pixel artists who need more than a general-purpose image editor.
Piskel
Piskel is a dedicated tool designed to help you create pixel art and animated sprites directly in your browser or through a desktop application. You can draw your characters and environment frame-by-frame, managing your animation speed with a real-time preview window that shows exactly how your work looks in motion. It simplifies the technical side of pixel art so you can focus on the creative process of building assets for your indie games or digital art collections.
You can organize your workflow using layers and frames, similar to professional animation suites but with a much lower learning curve. The platform is completely open-source and free to use, making it a go-to choice for hobbyists, game developers, and students. Whether you are building a retro-style platformer or just want to experiment with digital drawing, you can export your finished work as animated GIFs, PNG sprite sheets, or even Zip files containing every individual frame.
Overview
Pro Motion NG Features
- Tilemap Editing Create and edit seamless tilemaps visually, allowing you to draw directly into tiles while the software handles the repetition.
- Advanced Color Management Control your indexed color palettes with precision, including easy color cycling and palette effects for authentic retro visuals.
- Onion Skinning View multiple animation frames simultaneously so you can track movement and timing without constantly switching between layers.
- Symmetry Drawing Draw perfectly symmetrical objects in real-time using mirror modes, cutting your design time in half for characters and icons.
- Multi-Layer Support Organize your artwork into independent layers to separate backgrounds, characters, and effects for non-destructive editing.
- Dithering Tools Apply classic dithering patterns automatically to create smooth gradients and textures within the limitations of small color palettes.
Piskel Features
- Live Preview. Check your animation in real-time with a dedicated preview window that lets you adjust frames per second instantly.
- Layer Management. Organize your artwork across multiple layers to separate characters from backgrounds and simplify complex editing tasks.
- Sprite Sheet Export. Export your animations as professional PNG sprite sheets ready for immediate use in game engines like Unity or Godot.
- Google Sign-In. Save your sprites to the cloud by signing in with your Google account to access your gallery from any device.
- Onion Skinning. View a faint ghost of your previous and next frames to ensure smooth transitions and consistent character movement.
- Offline Desktop Apps. Download the standalone version for Windows, macOS, or Linux to keep creating even when you don't have an internet connection.
Pricing Comparison
Pro Motion NG Pricing
- Basic drawing tools
- Indexed color support
- Single layer editing
- Basic animation frames
- Unlimited usage time
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Advanced tilemap editor
- Multi-layer support
- Onion skinning
- Custom brush shapes
- Commercial usage rights
Piskel Pricing
- Unlimited sprites
- Cloud gallery storage
- Offline desktop version
- Animated GIF export
- PNG sprite sheet export
- Open-source license
Pros & Cons
Pro Motion NG
Pros
- Unmatched precision for indexed color palette management
- Excellent tilemap tools for level design efficiency
- One-time purchase avoids annoying monthly subscription costs
- Lightweight performance runs smoothly on older hardware
Cons
- Steep learning curve for those used to Photoshop
- User interface feels dated compared to modern apps
- Limited documentation for some advanced technical features
Piskel
Pros
- Completely free and open-source for all users
- Extremely low learning curve for beginners
- Live preview window makes animation timing easy
- No installation required to start drawing immediately
Cons
- Lacks advanced brush and shading tools
- Performance can lag with very large canvases
- Cloud saving is limited to Google accounts