AuthorTopic: Im kickstarting some pixel art software and I would love your feedback  (Read 5298 times)

Offline Chadtech

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Hi there,

I havent posted in a thread in maybe a few months. But Ive been in the pixelation slack channel since about April. Ive been working on making a kickstarter for some pixel software for a while now, and I am (hopefully) really close to launching.

Here is the preview link if you are curious to check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/613927423/1558544512?token=8a438f12

As far as pixel software goes, Im not trying to make anything revolutionary. But what would set CtPaint apart is the fact that it runs in your browser, which enables call kinds of cool web connectivity features, like being super easy to collaborate with others, being able to open any image on the internet, and being able to post directly to social media.

I really want to make software that would be attractive to anyone who hangs out on pixelation, so Im curious to what you might think of how my project looks to you. What do you think?

Thanks,
-Chad

Offline MysteryMeat

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Honestly I'd get in contact with the Aseprite folks, they seem the best bet for this kind of thing.
Really nice lads.
PSA: use imgur
http://pixelation.org/index.php?topic=19838.0 also go suggest on my quest, cmon
MAJOR BORK TALLY: |

Offline surt

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The link to the site on the KS page is broken.

It looks and feels (clunkiness-wise) like MS Paint.

I you aren't going to do anything new then you really need to at least do the basics well.
  • Canvas navigation is terrible. Couldn't find any way to mouse pan. No way to zoom with mouse wheel.
  • Couldn't find any way to modelessly colour pick.
  • Freehand stroke terminates if cursor leaves canvas.
  • Interface is not at all discoverable. No labels or tooltips, most icons are unfamiliar.
  • Default webpage events not prevented. RMB opens context menu. Ctrl+Wheel does page zoom.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2016, 08:59:36 am by surt »

Offline Chadtech

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Yeah Surt, I understand that my alpha version has all those weaknesses. The software I am trying to kickstart will be an improvement. I appreciate your points listed out like that.

Offline yrizoud

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This looks a lot like oekaki boards, although geared towards pixel art rather than sketches / CG painting.
The costs that you plan seem very high, I don't see how it could meet backers up to this level  :(
(I don't criticize your estimation, I'm only saying people find other ways which are good enough : mixing offline editors and Dropbox storage, or doing pixel art in a general-purpose oekaki BBS which has a broad enough userbase to dilute its functioning costs)

Technology-wise, I don't know if you noticed, but member AlexHW also created a collaborative browser-based pixel editor.
http://pixelation.org/index.php?topic=17011.0

Offline Tuna Unleashed

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I would definitely suggest working to add some animation tools

Offline Chadtech

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Yrizoud

Wow awesome! I havent heard of AlexHWs project! I will definitely reach out to him. He did a great job! Its funny how, I made my paint program two years ago, and have been floating around this subject ever since, and it takes that long to connect with other people doing the same thing. Crazy.

Tuna Unleashed

Aight will do! Thanks.

Offline yaomon17

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You might get some inspiration from iScribble.

Offline Chadtech

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And my kickstarter is now live! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/613927423/ctpaint-the-simple-paint-software-missing-from-the

Thanks again for all the feedback

Offline eishiya

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The wording "If this kickstarter is funded, we are going to make a software product [...]" sounds like you haven't even started making it yet, which is immensely discouraging to potential backers. Maybe change it to "we are going to release" or "we will be able to finish" or something similar?

With a lot of fairly basic features locked away behind a paywall (Pro), this seems rather unappealing to me. I dig the concept of an online image editor with seamless uploads to Imgur and the like, but paying ~$5 for what is essentially the ability to use the equivalent of a free app (most of the Pro features are available in free image editors) without having to install it just doesn't seem right to me. I'm all for a Pro version, but I think in its current form, it just hobbles the basic editor to the point of nigh uselessness. I'd love to see some of the Pro features moved into the Basic version, and other features added to Pro. I think keeping animation-related features in Pro and "productivity" features like multiple views is a fine idea, but having to pay for things like layers, transparency, smudge, and indexed palettes will just drive away the people who should be your core users. Monetize the social aspects (storage, featured posts, etc), not basic features.
« Last Edit: October 11, 2016, 09:06:40 pm by eishiya »