Aseprite Tutorial Notes

Introduction

• Purpose: Teach how to use Aseprite
• Requirements:
  • Aseprite software
  • Mouse or drawing tablet
  • Keyboard for shortcuts
• Resources: Official documentation and Discord community for assistance

Setting Up Aseprite

• Home Screen Overview:
  • Options for recent files and new file setup
• Creating a New File:
  • Recommended canvas size: 16x16 pixels
  • Color mode: RGBA
  • Background: Transparent

User Interface Overview

• Key Areas:
  • Palette Area: Choose colors from predefined palette
  • Layers Tab: Manage layers, hide/show with "Tab" key
  • Tools Panel: Selection of tools for pixel art creation
  • Tool Properties: Displays properties for selected tool
  • Options Bar: Various project options
  • Canvas: Drawing area

Navigating the Canvas

• Importance of Shortcuts:
  • Learn shortcuts for efficiency (e.g., zoom, pan, undo)
• Zooming:
  • Using scroll wheel or zoom tool (shortcut: Z)
• Panning:
  • Holding mouse wheel or spacebar + click

Basic Drawing Tools

• Main Tool: Pencil Tool (shortcut: B)
  • Use to draw directly on canvas
• Undo Feature: (Shortcut: Ctrl + Z)
• Brush Properties Overview:
  • Circular, square, line brushes
  • Brush size adjustment
  • Pixel Perfect feature to clean up lines

Creating Pixel Art

• Drawing the Donut:
  • Use pencil tool with size 1
  • Clean up with eraser tool (shortcut: A)
• Filling Colors:
  • Paint Bucket Tool (shortcut: G)
    • Ensure "Contiguous" is turned on for proper filling
• Adding Details:
  • Use Eyedropper Tool (shortcut: I) to select colors
  • Add sprinkles and other features

Working with Layers

• Managing Layers:
  • Unlock, rename, change opacity
  • Create new layers for additional donuts (Shortcut: Shift + N)
• Canvas Size Adjustment:
  • Shortcut: C to increase canvas size for additional donuts

Advanced Techniques

• Shapes and Symmetry:
  • Use Ellipse Tool for donut outlines
  • Symmetry options for consistent designs
• Selection Tools:
  • Lasso (shortcut: Q), Rectangular (shortcut: M), and Polygonal Lasso
  • Add/Subtract selections using Shift and Alt keys

Finalizing Work

• Grouping Layers:
  • Select multiple layers and create a new group
• Color Changes:
  • Use Magic Wand Tool (shortcut: W) for color adjustments
• Merging Layers:
  • Flatten layers for easier management

Exporting Artwork

• Export Options:
  • File types: PNG recommended for quality
  • Adjust size for visibility on platforms
• Future Tutorials: Mention of sprite sheets and game engine integration

Conclusion

• Encourage sharing creations on Discord or social media
• Practice with the tools and techniques learned in this tutorial.