Product Introduction

1. PixiEditor is a free, open-source 2D graphics editor designed for creating and editing pixel art, procedural graphics, vector art, animations, and raster images within a unified workspace. It combines specialized tools for game development, digital art, and image manipulation in a desktop-native application optimized for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The editor operates offline and emphasizes a user-friendly dark interface with cross-platform compatibility.
2. The core value lies in merging multiple 2D workflows—including pixel art, vector design, and procedural node-based graphics—into a single accessible toolset. It eliminates the need for separate software for different art styles while prioritizing performance through GPU acceleration and Avalonia UI framework integration.

Main Features

1. The Node Graph system enables non-destructive procedural art creation by connecting nodes to generate complex visuals, shaders, and animations without altering source layers. Users can build custom effects or use pre-built nodes for dynamic adjustments.
2. Dedicated pixel art tools include a pixel-perfect pen mode for crisp edges, advanced palette management with swatch organization, and layer-specific grid snapping for precise sprite creation. These are complemented by animation timeline controls for frame-by-frame workflows.
3. Hybrid raster/vector editing allows seamless integration of vector shapes with snapping alignment into raster projects, enabling scalable logo design and crisp iconography alongside traditional image editing tools like clipping masks and transform operations.

Problems Solved

1. PixiEditor addresses the fragmentation of 2D workflows by unifying pixel art, vector design, animation, and procedural graphics tools in one application, reducing reliance on multiple specialized programs.
2. It primarily serves game developers requiring sprite sheets, digital artists creating pixel art or vector illustrations, and hobbyists needing an accessible yet powerful cross-platform editor.
3. Typical scenarios include designing retro game assets with animation support, editing photos with layer-based compositing, crafting logos using vector/raster hybrids, and generating procedural textures for shader-driven projects.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike single-focus editors like Aseprite (pixel art) or Inkscape (vector), PixiEditor integrates raster, vector, and procedural workflows with GPU acceleration via its Drawie toolkit, enabling real-time previews of complex effects.
2. The Node Graph system introduces modular procedural editing uncommon in free tools, allowing parameter-driven art adjustments comparable to commercial shader editors.
3. Competitive strengths include zero-cost access, full offline functionality, European GDPR compliance, and open-source customization through its Avalonia-based codebase on GitHub.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is PixiEditor truly cross-platform? Yes, it natively supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with consistent feature parity across operating systems, built using the Avalonia UI framework for platform independence.
2. What are the system requirements? PixiEditor requires a DirectX 11/Vulkan-compatible GPU for hardware acceleration but runs on most modern desktop hardware without specialized workstation components.
3. Can I contribute to the project? As open-source software under the MIT license, users can fork or modify the code via GitHub and submit pull requests for features or bug fixes.
4. Does it support Lottie animations? While current versions focus on frame-by-frame animation, Lottie export/import is planned for the 2026 roadmap update.
5. How does it compare to Photoshop? PixiEditor offers comparable layer-based editing and vector/raster mixing at no cost but specializes in pixel art and procedural workflows rather than photo manipulation.