basics.md

Basics

Here you can learn the basics principles behind Aseprite.

In Aseprite a sprite is a sequence of frames and a stack of layers. Each frame-layer intersection is called a cel.

This is a general overview of the timeline:

Workflow

The basic workflow is:

• Create a new sprite from File > New menu.
• Draw with pencil tool using Left click or Right click, and pick colors from the color bar using those same buttons.
• Save your work from File > Save menu as a .ase file to preserve all your image information (layers, frames, etc.).
• Export your sprite as a .gif file to publish your image on a website, or .png to save a sequence of files, or as a .png sprite sheet, etc.

See the workspace to know more about the elements in the window. See workflow section for more details.

A hand on the keyboard

You should put your left hand on the keyboard (or your right hand if you are left-handed). As there are some handy keyboard shortcuts, you can use them from the very beginning to make a better use of Aseprite:

• Keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be used to change the zoom (you can use the Mouse Wheel to change zoom too).
• B key is the Pencil tool, and M the rectangular marquee, maybe the most common tools that you will use.
• You can pick colors with Alt + click. E.g. Alt+Left click changes the Foreground Color, Alt+Right click changes the Background Color (Eyedropper tool ).
• The Ctrl key (or ⌘ on Mac OS X) can be used to select the Move tool . With it you can easily select or move layers.

Alternative functions for right-click

By default, Right click paints with the Background Color, but you can change this configuration from Edit > Preferences > Editor:

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SEE ALSO

Workspace | Workflow | Sprite