What is PyDPainter?

Updated

PyDPainter is a pixel art program written in Python using PyGame, designed to run on modern computers. It is aimed at pixel artists who want a Deluxe Paint-style workflow without emulating vintage hardware, and it runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The project is open source under GPLv3.

Where it comes from

PyDPainter's original inspiration is the Commodore Amiga version of Deluxe Paint, released by Electronic Arts in 1985. Deluxe Paint helped define the paint program interface with tool bars, menus, and the use of left and right mouse buttons for painting and erasing. As pixel art gave way to photo-realism and 24-bit color, Deluxe Paint was largely left behind. With the recent resurgence of retro styles, low-resolution pixel art and limited color palettes have become popular again, and PyDPainter is an attempt to bring back an old but reliable tool and enhance it for modern use.

Who it is for

PyDPainter suits artists who already think in terms of indexed color, animation frames, and classic paint tools, or who want to learn that workflow. If you need a modern raster editor for high-resolution photo work, this is not that tool. If you want a focused pixel art environment with Deluxe Paint III compatible file handling, it is.

What it can do

The feature set centers on classic pixel art production:

  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • License: Open source, GPLv3
  • Interface: Easy-to-use UI with tooltips
  • Compatibility: Deluxe Paint III compatible
  • File formats: IFF, ANIM, GIF, BMP, PNG, and more
  • Animation: Color cycling, ANIM support
  • Painting: Color gradient fills, complete set of paint tools
  • Painting modes: Smear, blend, smooth, and more
  • Symmetry: Mirror, tile, and cyclic
  • Undo: 256 levels

The Deluxe Paint III compatibility and IFF/ANIM support matter if you work with legacy Amiga assets or want to move files between PyDPainter and other tools in that ecosystem.

How to get it and learn it

Download the latest release from the project site. Documentation is available as a table of contents, and there is a tutorial playlist plus trailers for versions 2.0, 2.1.0, and 2.2.0. A quick demo video is also listed. Community channels include a Facebook group, GitHub, Twitter, Mastodon, and a Ko-fi donation page. A roadmap tracks current progress.

Things to check before committing

  • Confirm the current release supports your OS version; the site lists Windows, Mac, and Linux but not specific minimum versions.
  • If your pipeline depends on a specific format, verify it against the listed formats (IFF, ANIM, GIF, BMP, PNG, and more) rather than assuming full coverage.
  • Check the roadmap for features still in progress if you need something beyond the listed top features.
  • Pricing and login requirements are not stated on the page; do not assume the download is free of account requirements without checking the download page.