Help · FAQ
LibreSprite FAQ
The questions people ask most about LibreSprite, answered in a few lines each and checked on 1.3. Every answer links to the page with the full details.
On this page 6 sections
About LibreSprite
What is LibreSprite?
A free, open-source program for drawing and animating pixel art and sprites, for Windows, macOS and Linux (plus an older Android build). It has layers, frames, onion skin, sprite-sheet export and scripting. It started in 2016 from the last open-source version of Aseprite. Overview.
Is LibreSprite free?
Yes, completely: no price, no trial, no account, no ads. It is licensed under the GNU GPL v2, so you may also share and modify it.
Is LibreSprite safe?
The official downloads from GitHub are. We checked the hashes, scanned the Windows files with Microsoft Defender (no threats) and explain the warnings Windows and macOS show for unsigned apps. Avoid third-party download sites. Full safety check.
Is LibreSprite the same as Aseprite?
No. It is a fork of Aseprite’s 2016 GPL code. Aseprite has since added layer groups, tilemaps, slices and more and became paid software. Comparison.
Can I use LibreSprite for commercial work?
Yes. The GPL covers the program, not your art: what you draw is yours to sell, including in commercial games.
Who develops LibreSprite?
Volunteer contributors on GitHub; there is no company behind it. 1.3 was released on October 2, 2026. Community.
Is LibreSprite still updated?
Yes: 1.1 in 2024, 1.2 in 2025, 1.3 in October 2026, and active development since. Releases.
Download and install
Where do I download LibreSprite?
Only from the official GitHub releases page; our download page picks the right file for your system and lists the SHA-256 hashes.
Is LibreSprite on Steam?
No. LibreSprite isn’t on Steam (Aseprite is). Download it from GitHub, Flathub or your Linux distribution.
Does it work on Windows 11 on Arm (Snapdragon)?
The installer refuses to run there, but the portable zip works through x64 emulation; we tested both. Windows install.
macOS says “libresprite” is damaged or can’t be opened. What do I do?
The app isn’t notarized by Apple. Run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/libresprite.app in Terminal (verified on macOS 15). Mac install.
How do I install it on Linux?
The AppImage works on any 64-bit distribution; Arch, openSUSE, Void and others package 1.3; Flathub had an older version when we checked. Linux install.
Is LibreSprite on Android or iPad?
Android: yes, an official APK from the 1.2 pre-release. iPad and iPhone: no. Android, iPad and Chromebook.
Can I use LibreSprite online?
An official browser build exists (version 1.2-dev); it works, but files vanish when you close the tab unless you download them. LibreSprite online.
How do I update LibreSprite?
Install the new version over the old one; settings are kept. There is no automatic update check. How to update.
Drawing and layers
Where is the timeline?
Hidden by default: press Tab (View → Timeline). Interface tour.
How do I change the brush size?
+ and -, or the size box in the tool options bar. All shortcuts.
How do I make the background transparent?
Create sprites with a Transparent background, or use Layer → Layer from Background and delete the background. Export as PNG. Guide.
Does LibreSprite have layer groups?
No. Opening an Aseprite file with groups turns their layers into plain layers (after a warning). Layers.
Is there an outline tool?
Not built in; our tested outline script does it in one click for every frame.
Is there a gradient tool?
No. Use palette ramps and dithering. Gradients and dithering.
How do I add text?
Edit → Insert Text (T); untick anti-aliasing for crisp pixels. Text guide.
How do I resize without blurring?
Sprite → Sprite Size with Nearest-neighbor and a whole-number scale, or Export with Resize. Canvas and selection.
How do I load a Lospec palette?
Download it as GPL, PAL or PNG (not HEX) and use the palette Options → Load Palette. Palettes.
Does it support drawing tablets?
Yes, with pressure since 1.2 (for example the XP-Pen Artist 12). Results vary by tablet and system.
Animation and export
How do I animate in LibreSprite?
Show the timeline, add frames with Alt+N, turn on onion skin with F3, play with Enter. Animation.
How do I set the FPS?
LibreSprite uses milliseconds per frame (Frame Properties, P): 100 ms = 10 FPS, 83 ms ≈ 12 FPS. Converter.
How do I export a GIF?
File → Export, name the file .gif. Durations are kept; layers are merged. Export.
How do I export a sprite sheet?
File → Export Sprite Sheet (Ctrl+Alt+E), with optional JSON. Sprite sheets.
Why did saving as PNG create several files?
Each frame of an animation becomes a numbered PNG. Use a sprite sheet or GIF for one file.
How do I use LibreSprite sprites in Godot or Unity?
Can I export from the command line?
Yes: libresprite -b walk.ase --sheet walk.png --data walk.json. CLI and builder.
Files
What file format does LibreSprite use?
.ase, which keeps layers, frames and tags. Export copies as PNG or GIF. File formats.
Can LibreSprite open Aseprite files?
Yes. Groups become plain layers; slices and tilemap layers are dropped. We tested Aseprite’s own sample files. Details.
Why won’t my BMP open?
BMPs with newer (V4/V5) headers fail in 1.3. Fix.
Settings, themes and scripts
The interface is huge or tiny. How do I fix it?
Preferences → General → UI Elements Scaling, then restart. Preferences.
Does LibreSprite have a dark mode or themes?
The default theme is dark; community themes install in a minute. Themes.
Can I change the language?
Yes, 13 languages in Preferences → General (restart needed).
Can I change keyboard shortcuts?
Edit → Keyboard Shortcuts. How.
Does LibreSprite support Lua scripts or plugins?
Scripts are JavaScript, not Lua; Aseprite scripts don’t run. Scripting.
Does LibreSprite have AI features?
No built-in AI. The development branch adds an optional MCP server for AI assistants. MCP server.
Something not covered? Troubleshooting lists fixes for specific errors, or tell us.
Keep going
Found something wrong or out of date? Tell us: hello@libresprite.dev. We fix mistakes within a day.