About This Software

Top Down Sprite Maker (TDSM) is the ultimate pixel art character creator. Customize your character and export your sprite sheet in a matter of a few clicks. Multiple sprite styles, full control over customization and sprite sheet layout, and no need to draw.

Sprite styles

TDSM is unique among character customization programs in that it supports multiple sprite styles, which are distributed separately from the program as ZIP files.

Each sprite style is its own art style, and defines its own...

• Animations

• Layers

• Customization options

• Frame dimensions

Some sprite styles are paid add-ons, while others can be downloaded for free.

Note: Sprite styles featured in promotional images and videos are distributed separately from the program.

Features

Customize

TDSM sprite styles give you complete freedom to customize every facet of your character, yet their assembly rules still ensure that sprites always look polished and game-ready.

• Controlled randomization: Generate random sprites with the click of a button. Randomization can be constrained by locking customization layers you wish to exclude.

• Smart layering rules: Customization layers update dynamically based on changes to other layers they depend on. For example, when using the Pixel Citizen sprite style, changing your body type will dynamically update your clothes to fit your character's new body, while preserving the selection.

Configure

Configure your sprite sheet to your exact needs. Have TDSM adapt to your established workflow in ongoing projects rather than having to rework code or sprite sheet slicing configurations.

• Sizing: Crop or pad individual sprites to your liking. Exported sprite sheet frames can range from from 1x1 px to 128x128 px

• Sequencing: Determine which directions and animations to include in the export, and in which order

• Layout: Determine the axis along which directions and animations are exported in the sprite sheet, as well as how distinct animations follow one another

Export

In addition to the sprite sheet as a PNG image file with a transparent background, TDSM gives you the option to export:

• Sprite sheet metadata as a JSON file

• Sprite sheet with customization layers separated onto distinct layers as a Stipple Effect project

Save and load sprite data

A character from a previously exported sprite sheet can be reloaded into TDSM by uploading its JSON metadata file, provided that the sprite style that produced the sheet is currently loaded into TDSM.