# Piskel

> web- and desktop- software application for the creation of still and animated pixel art

**Wikidata**: [Q101250889](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101250889)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/piskel

## Summary
Piskel is a web- and desktop-based software application specifically designed for creating both still and animated pixel art. It operates as a cross-platform tool that enables users to produce pixel art and animations through an accessible interface.

## Key Facts
- Piskel is an application for creating pixel art and animation
- It's cross-platform, meaning it works on multiple operating systems
- The project is licensed under Apache Software License 2.0
- Version 0.14.0 was released on March 4, 2018
- Development has been ongoing since 2014 with regular version releases
- Piskel's website is https://piskelapp.com and is primarily in English
- It's an instance of an application, community, and pixel-art editor
- The source code is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel
- It supports reading various file formats including .piskel, PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF
- It can save files in .piskel, GIF, PNG, ZIP, JSON (PixiJS), and C source code formats

## FAQs
### Q: What is Piskel used for?
A: Piskel is a software application designed specifically for creating pixel art and animations. It allows users to draw still images and create animated sequences using a pixel-based drawing interface.

### Q: Is Piskel free to use?
A: Piskel is free and open-source software, licensed under Apache Software License 2.0, which allows users to use, modify, and distribute the software freely.

### Q: Which operating systems can run Piskel?
A: Piskel is cross-platform, meaning it can run on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, both as a web application and as downloadable desktop software.

### Q: What file formats does Piskel support?
A: Piskel can read .piskel files, PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF formats. It can save files in .piskel, GIF, PNG, ZIP, JSON (PixiJS format), and C source code formats.

## Why It Matters
Piskel serves as an accessible entry point into digital art creation, particularly for pixel art enthusiasts and game developers. By providing a free, cross-platform solution that combines web and desktop functionality, it lowers the barrier to entry for artistic expression in a specialized digital medium. The tool's focus on both static pixel art and animation capabilities makes it particularly valuable for indie game developers, web designers, and digital artists who need to create pixel-based assets without significant financial investment. Its open-source nature has fostered a community of contributors who help improve and extend the tool's functionality across different creative workflows.

## Notable For
- Cross-platform availability that works both as a web application and downloadable software on multiple operating systems
- Specialized focus on pixel art with dedicated animation features that distinguish it from general-purpose drawing tools
- Open-source development model with Apache Software License 2.0, allowing for community contributions and modification
- Unique file format (.piskel) that preserves layer information and animation data specific to pixel art workflows
- Long development history with regular version updates since 2014, demonstrating sustained community support

## Body
### Overview
Piskel is a specialized application for creating pixel art and animations. It exists as both a web application and desktop software, providing flexibility for users who prefer different working environments. The tool caters specifically to digital artists, game developers, and designers who work with pixel-based graphics.

### Technical Specifications
- Instance of: application, community, pixel-art editor
- License: Apache Software License 2.0
- Operating system: cross-platform
- Programming language: Q2005
- Source code repository: https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel

### Version History
Piskel has undergone continuous development since 2014:
- Version 0.1.1 released on July 14, 2014
- Version 0.2.0 released on August 26, 2014
- Version 0.3.0 released on September 28, 2014
- Version 0.4.0 released on November 25, 2014
- Version 0.4.2 released on January 23, 2015
- Version 0.4.2.1 released on March 24, 2015
- Version 0.5.0 released on April 26, 2015
- Version 0.5.1 released on April 28, 2015
- Version 0.5.2 released on May 3, 2015
- Version 0.14.0 released on March 4, 2018

### File Format Support
- Readable file formats: .piskel, Portable Network Graphics (PNG), JPEG, Windows Bitmap (BMP), GIF
- Writable file formats: .piskel, GIF, PNG, ZIP, JSON (PixiJS format), C source code file

### Development and Community
- Website: https://piskelapp.com (primarily English)
- Email: mailto:julian@piskelapp.com
- Copyright status: copyrighted
- Part of the Alternativeto software database with ID: piskel

## References

1. [Source](https://piskelapp.com/faq)
2. [Release 0.14.0. 2018](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.14.0)
3. [Release 0.1.1. 2014](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.1.1)
4. [Release 0.2.0. 2014](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
5. [Release 0.3.0. 2014](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
6. [Release 0.4.0. 2014](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.4.0)
7. [Release 0.4.2. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.4.2)
8. [Release 0.4.2.1. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.4.2.1)
9. [Release 0.5.0. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.0)
10. [Release 0.5.1. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.1)
11. [Release 0.5.2. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.2)
12. [Release 0.5.3. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.3)
13. [Release 0.5.4. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.4)
14. [Release 0.5.5. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.5)
15. [Release 0.5.5.1. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.5.5.1)
16. [Release 0.6.0. 2015](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.6.0)
17. [Release 0.7.0. 2016](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
18. [Release 0.8.0. 2016](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.8.0)
19. [Release 0.8.1. 2016](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.8.1)
20. [Release 0.8.2. 2016](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.8.2)
21. [Release 0.8.3. 2016](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.8.3)
22. [Release 0.10.0. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.10.0)
23. [Release 0.10.1. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.10.1)
24. [Release 0.11.0. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.11.0)
25. [Release 0.11.1. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.11.1)
26. [Release 0.12.0. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.12.0)
27. [Release 0.12.1. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.12.1)
28. [Release 0.13.0. 2017](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.13.0)
29. [Release 0.15.0. 2018](https://github.com/piskelapp/piskel/releases/tag/v0.15.0)