retroSprite

A retro-focused sprite editor for the retroPy ecosystem.

Launch the web editor

👾 About retroSprite

retroSprite is a simple sprite editor for .rs8 and .rsm files, built for use with retroPy.

It lets you create and edit pixel art using indexed colours, keeping everything lightweight and consistent for microcontroller-based projects. What you draw in retroSprite is designed to work directly in RetroPy with minimal setup.

Use it for:

• creating .rs8 and .rsm sprite assets
• working with fixed colour palettes
• preparing graphics for RetroPy projects

The current public version is the browser-based editor hosted at:

• https://www.retropy.io/retrosprite

This repository is intended to become the home for the desktop version as it moves toward downloadable releases. In the meantime, it serves as the public landing page for the project.

Current Status

• Web version available now at retropy.io/retrosprite
• Desktop version planned for future downloadable releases
• GitHub repo prepared to host binaries, release notes, and issue tracking

Features

• Edit retroPy sprite formats in a dedicated sprite workflow
• Browser-based editing available now with no install required
• Frame-based animation workflow
• Pixel-level drawing tools for quick iteration
• Export and sprite-sheet oriented workflow for game assets
• retroPy-aligned aesthetic and format support

Web Version

The currently available version lives here:

• https://www.retropy.io/retrosprite

Use it to:

• sketch and revise sprites quickly
• work directly in the browser
• test the editor before desktop builds are released

Planned Desktop Release

This repository will be used to distribute:

• desktop builds
• release notes
• changelogs
• bug reports and feature requests

When desktop packages are ready, the Releases page will become the primary download location.

Screenshots

Editor Overview

Animation Timeline

Usage

Common actions and shortcuts

• File: Open and save .rs8 or .rsm sprites with browser file pickers or download saves.
• Edit: Select All, Copy, Paste, and Clear work on the active selection.
• Tools: Pencil, Fill, Select, Line, Rectangle, Circle, and Picker.
• Frames: Comma and period move frames, Shift plus arrows reorders, Space previews animation.
• Shortcuts: Ctrl+A Select All, Ctrl+C Copy, Ctrl+V Paste, Ctrl+S Save.
• Selection: Delete clears the selection, arrows nudge it, Shift nudges faster.
• Clipboard: Shift+Ctrl+V pastes an image from the system clipboard when the browser allows it

Roadmap

• Desktop packaging
• Native release downloads
• Expanded sprite import and export flow
• Better preview and animation workflow
• Tighter retroPy project integration

Contributing

For now, the best contributions are:

• bug reports
• UI and workflow feedback
• feature requests for the desktop version

Links

• Web editor: https://www.retropy.io/retrosprite
• retroPy site: https://www.retropy.io/
• retroPy docs: https://respawnin.github.io/retropy-docs