ZXDrawer

ZXDrawer is a modern, feature-rich pixel art editor specifically designed for the ZX Spectrum. Built as a cross-platform desktop application using Electron, it provides a streamlined workflow for retro game developers and pixel artists who want to create graphics while strictly respecting the hardware constraints of the Sinclair machine.

Key Features

• Spectrum-Native Workflow: Edit graphics with full support for 8x8 attribute blocks (Ink, Paper, Bright, Flash).
• Attribute Locking: A unique feature that allows you to paint pixels without altering the existing attribute colors on the canvas.
• Professional Sprites & Tiles: Tools for creating spritesets and tilesets with specific support for popular engines.
• Transparency Masks: Generate silhouette masks automatically or edit them manually with a dedicated overlay editor.
• Animation Preview: Real-time preview panel for multi-frame animations.
• Image Conversion: Import and convert standard images into Spectrum-compatible graphics with adjustable contrast, brightness, and saturation.
• Advanced Exporting: Support for multiple formats including ASM, BIN, and specialized exporters for Boriel Basic (PutChars and GuSprites).
• Smart Interface: Centered zoom, grid toggles (8x8 and 1x1), and a consistent dark-themed UI.
• Multilingual Support: Available in English, Español, and Português.

Supported Formats

• .zxp: Native project format that preserves application-specific metadata.
• .scr: Standard ZX Spectrum binary screen files (6912 bytes).
• .bas: Export and recovery support for Boriel Basic putchars declarations.

License

This project is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3). See the LICENSE file for the full terms.

Copyright

© 2026 Raül Torralba Adsuara

Privacy Policy

ZXDrawer does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data or usage information. All files created or edited remain local to your device.

Quick start

Requirements:

• Node.js 16+ (or compatible)
• npm

Install dependencies:

npm install

Run in development:

npm start

Build (bundle + obfuscate + package):

npm run build

Contributing

Contributions are welcome under the terms of the AGPLv3. Please open issues or PRs on the repository.