Your first drawing

Before you begin: Trial and activation.

1. Create a document

Pixelithra starts with an empty workspace. Choose File > New, enter a name, and choose a preset or custom width and height. Choose Transparent for a background that will remain transparent in a PNG export. Leave Start with on Still image, then click Create.

For a filled background, choose white, black, neutral gray, or Custom color to pick a color and opacity in the Color Chooser.

To start with several frames, choose Animation instead; see the animation guide. The dialog remembers the size of your last created document. The first launch starts at 64 × 64 pixels.

2. Draw a few pixels

Pixelithra selects Pencil for the first new document if no tool is active. To return to it, use the left tool rail or press B. Set Size to 1 px in the top context bar and choose a foreground color in Color or Palette.

Draw with the left mouse button. The right mouse button paints with the background color; it does not erase.

Use the mouse wheel to zoom around the pointer. Hold Space and drag with the left mouse button, or drag with the middle mouse button, to pan.

3. Correct a mark

Press E briefly to select Eraser, then drag over the pixels to remove. Press B to return to Pencil. Use Ctrl + Z to undo an edit.

For a quick correction from Pencil, hold E while erasing and release it to resume painting. See Pencil and Eraser.

4. Save your editable document

Choose File > Save, select a location, and save as .pxlithra. This is your editable source file.

5. Export a PNG

Choose File > Export > PNG, check the export scale and select a destination. At 1×, the exported image combines visible artwork at document resolution; transparent areas stay transparent. Exporting does not replace your native save.

Continue with drawing options or working with layers.