Tools

PixelRoot32 ships optional workflow tools alongside the open-source engine. They are not required to build games, but they speed up asset prep (sprites, tilemaps).

Note: The PixelRoot32 Game Engine remains free and open source. The tools below are separate products intended to streamline content creation.

Sprite Compiler (free)

Converts PNG images into C headers with sprite data (layered 1bpp, 2bpp, 4bpp, grid selection).

Two ways to use it:

• Tool Suite (recommended): Integrated as a native GUI module inside the Tool Suite. The actual compilation uses an external pr32-sprite-compiler CLI (bundled with the Tool Suite or available on PATH).

• Standalone CLI: Open-source Python repo (python main.py …) — ideal for CI scripts and build-automation without the full Tool Suite.

• Overview

• Installation

• Usage guide

• Advanced features

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Tool Suite (premium)

Premium Tool Suite

The Tool Suite adds advanced editor modules. Licensing and downloads are handled on the PixelRoot32 site.

Tilemap Editor (module 1)

Available - visual editor for multi-layer tilemaps, tilesets, animations, attributes, and C++ export aligned with the engine. Ships as a native desktop app (C++17 / SDL2 / ImGui) inside the Tool Suite.

• Overview
• Quick start
• Installation
• Usage guide
• Advanced guide
• Technical reference

Music Editor (module 2)

Upcoming - pattern-based tracker with multi-channel support for PixelRoot32 APU (planned).

SFX Editor (module 3)

Upcoming - sound effect synthesis editor for the PR32 APU SFX pipeline (planned).

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Summary

Tool	Type	Status
Sprite Compiler	Free / standalone	Available
Tilemap Editor	Premium (suite)	Available
Music Editor	Premium (suite)	Upcoming
SFX Editor	Premium (suite)	Upcoming

Engine docs: Graphics Techniques · Rendering · Tile animation (architecture)