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Forums > C64 Pixeling > Best program to draw C64 graphics with on a PC and on a MAC?
2009-11-25 21:53
Morpheus

Registered: Feb 2004
Posts: 152
Best program to draw C64 graphics with on a PC and on a MAC?

One of the very best artists from days gone by wants to dabble with C64 pixels again, so I'm asking on his behalf.

Cheers, Morph
 
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2009-11-26 14:54
Morpheus

Registered: Feb 2004
Posts: 152
@Deev: I think it would put too much pressure on the man if it was out that he was pixling again. I'll forward links to the tools suggested - thank you - and we'll see what comes of it. It's not The Sarge though. :)
2009-11-26 16:07
Carrion

Registered: Feb 2009
Posts: 317
On grafx2 subject...
I tried it last week and it indeed has a koala and hires support. the thing is that you have to take care of the limitations yourself because the tool allows you put as many pixels in a char as you want... which make the tool no usable for me.
I hope they will add limitations checking during the pixeling because grafx2 is really great one (and works on mac ;)

timathes support for c4 modes limitations is probably the best out there. you can put anything you want but if there's more than 3 colors timathes will show you a red error color.

btw: grafx2 has nice support for checkboard dithering if you wish to use it. but timanthes on the other hand has a variety of different "dithering shades" support.

i use timanthes when photoshop is not enough.
2009-11-26 17:14
enthusi

Registered: May 2004
Posts: 679
use GIMP with cbmplugs.
No kidding.
8x8 grid, check for clashes yourself.
I patched the cbmplugs a little so it tells you at least where it clashed during save :)
Made all/most of my HiRes with it...
See i.e. here:
http://enthusi.de/c64/tape/gimp.png
2009-11-26 17:56
jailbird

Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 1578
Quoting enthusi
use GIMP

Why do you hate us? :)
2009-11-26 18:29
chatGPZ

Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 11507
its not *that* bad :) quite OKish for simple things actually.

but i would certainly not recommend it to pixel something completely from scratch. unless you are TMR =P
2009-11-26 20:11
Deev

Registered: Feb 2002
Posts: 206
Quote: Quoting irwin
Probably because he wants simply paint - not fight with unknow GUI, specfic file load/save, very limit gfx tools (no layers) and many more. ;)

Can't speak in the name of all C64 graphicians around, but I for myself really love the vintage, limited ambience of working purely on a C64.
For me, PC software is useful only when no real C64 is around or have to get done something really quick. And even then, I tend to enjoy minimalistic interfaces like P1.

The conclusion is: don't think that an easier option is always a better option :)


I've not made anything in a C64 program for a few years now, though my use of PC tools for pixelling is generally pretty simplistic.

The only real advantages of using a PC that come to mind are...

- PC tools work much better with a mouse.
- I can spread my workspace over 1920x1200 pixels rather than 320x200.
- Quick save shortcuts with saves that only take a fraction of a second, no need to swap disks etc (have modern computers made me lazy? :) )
- Quick undo shortcuts (and lots of undo stages)
- Usually have various brush options which make it easy to dither large areas (which I used to HATE back in the days of setting individual pixels!)
- Fill tool, which Gunpaint/Funpaint etc never had.

...and unless I missed something really obvious that's about it! I sometimes use photoshop to build rough prototypes of ideas and layers can be handy if you want to try something without affecting the main image, but I don't think I really need anything else. Anything more would be eating into the pixelling process which (because I'm sick and twisted!), I quite enjoy! Like you, I don't even zoom in and out, I just use a fixed zoom and a preview window at 200%.
2009-11-27 07:30
VoDKa

Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 32
I still use my ELiTe PAiNt when I paint. For outlines and PC-pixelgfx I use ProMotion.
2009-11-27 07:36
MagerValp

Registered: Dec 2001
Posts: 1082
Quoting Deev
I sometimes use photoshop to build rough prototypes of ideas and layers can be handy if you want to try something without affecting the main image, but I don't think I really need anything else.

Layers are *very* useful if you work in any advanced modes with sprite over/underlays.

Oh, and as of build 1046 Grafx2 has layer support:

http://code.google.com/p/grafx2/issues/detail?id=7

I'm really hoping that the color restriction in gfx2 will be able to work with the layer system, so you can set individual restrictions per layer.
2009-11-27 09:06
Archmage

Registered: Aug 2006
Posts: 186
If you want to do MC or Hires I highly recommend Project One. If you want to work in XYZHIFLI-modes I highly recommend reconsidering. Remember: real men and women do it in Koala.
2009-11-27 11:27
Radiant

Registered: Sep 2004
Posts: 640
When I do stuff I tend to use Project One. Working on a successor to CrossPainter V0.1, but things are going slow...

For Vita Spiralis I did the initial sketch in Inkscape since I use that tool professionally and know my way around it by now. I liked that way of working and any future attempts at graphics from me will probably be done in the same way.
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