Spriting with Aseprite

Introduction

Aseprite is one of the best tools for making pixel art and animations. More importantly, it's one of the few modern programs which can save files with the palette that CC requires. It has lots of features (don't worry, it's not crazy complex like Photoshop or GIMP), but you'll only need to know a few basics to start working on Cortex Command graphics.

You can buy it from Itch.io, Humble Bundle, or Steam, or from the Aseprite website (which includes a Steam key). It's also on Github if you'd like to compile it yourself.

Editing a sprite

Layer from background
Edit > Replace color (Shift+R)
Edit > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, Color Curve (Ctrl+U, Ctrl+M)

Making a new sprite

_CortexCommand.gpl
![CC style](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/305356/203868576-47f432ab-d46b-428f-998f-7744cc3a6838.png)
TAB for layers, up and down arrows
Edit > FX > Outline (Ctrl+O)

Shading tool basics

optional: hotkeys S and D
![CCpaloptional: hotkeys S and D
![CCpalette ramps](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/305356/203868610-23fb42c5-485a-46f4-a6ed-b2e44fe56042.png)

Animation basics

TAB for frames, left and right arrows
Enter, preview window
F3

Export checklist

Save the original as .aseprite to preserve layers and other fancy stuff
make sure you're still using original _CortexCommand.gpl
Sprite > Color Mode > Indexed
background layer is color 0 and visibleette ramps](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/305356/203868610-23fb42c5-485a-46f4-a6ed-b2e44fe56042.png)

Animation basics

TAB for frames, left and right arrows
Enter, preview window
F3

Export checklist

Save the original as .aseprite to preserve layers and other fancy stuff
make sure you're still using original _CortexCommand.gpl
Sprite > Color Mode > Indexed
background layer is color 0 and visible
animations: name it xyz000
export as .png