Simple Sprite Maker

Simple Sprite Maker Help › Getting Started

Getting Started

Creating a project

Choose File > New (⌘N) to create a new sprite project. Each project is a single .ssm document that contains all of your frames, the canvas size, the active palette selection, and a saved reference image (if any).

You can also right-click the Simple Sprite Maker icon in the Dock and choose New Sprite Project to start a project at a specific canvas size.

Canvas sizes

Simple Sprite Maker uses fixed pixel grids. Available sizes:

  • 8×8 — tile-sized icons.
  • 16×16 — classic small sprite (NES era).
  • 32×32 — common indie game sprite.
  • 64×64 — detailed character or larger tile.
  • 128×128 — large sprite or illustration.

The default size for new documents is set in Settings > Canvas. You can change a project's grid size at any time from Tools > Grid Size; if the canvas already has artwork you'll be prompted before resizing.

The interface

  • Canvas — the central drawing area. Zoom with ⌘+, ⌘−, and ⌘0 (zoom to fit).
  • Palette — a vertical strip of colors on one side of the window. Click a swatch to select that color.
  • Timeline — a horizontal strip of frame thumbnails for animation work.
  • Toolbar — quick access to the active tool, animation preview, export, and reference-image controls.

Saving

Use File > Save (⌘S) to save your project. The .ssm file is a self-contained JSON document that stores frames, palette, canvas background, grid setting, and any embedded reference image. Finder, Spotlight, and Quick Look display the first frame as the file thumbnail.