Overview of Dotti
Dotti is a macOS-native pixel art editor designed to maximize creative expression with minimal friction.
Unlike standard art editors that utilize a rigid set of tools, Dotti is built with a highly customizable architecture. The interface acts as an adaptable toolkit that can be tailored to fit specific artistic workflows.
Canvas Creation and Color Modes
When a new artwork is initiated, the canvas size can be configured to dimensions up to $4096 \times 4096$ pixels. For pixel art, small canvases (such as $16 \times 16$ pixels) are standard.
During artwork creation, you may select one of three color modes:
- RGB Alpha (Default): Permits painting with millions of colors and transparency.
- Indexed Mode: Restricts the color choices to a specific, predefined palette.
- Grayscale: 256 values of gray from black to white.
Color modes can be converted automatically at any point via the Artwork menu.
Workspace Layout
Once the canvas is created, you'll be presented with the editor interface. The editor is divided into several key regions. The default layout is structured similarly to industry-standard applications like Photoshop or Aseprite:
| Region | Components & Function |
|---|---|
| Far Left | Toolbar: Provides rapid access to core tools and special modes. |
| Left Panel Space | Color Management: Houses the Palette, Color, and Ramps panels by default. |
| Center | Canvas: The primary workspace where the artwork is displayed and edited. |
| Bottom | Timeline: The core interface component utilized for animation. |
| Right Panel Space | Utility Panels: Houses the Layers, History, Preview, and Effects panels. |
Interface Customization
The default layout can be heavily modified based on user preference. Panels can be manipulated in the following ways:
- Tabbed: Panels can be dragged on top of one another to create tabs.
- Floating: Panels can be pulled out of the sidebars to float freely.
- Rearranged: Panels can be stacked vertically or moved between the left and right sidebars.
- Docked: Panels can be attached to the top or bottom of the interface.
- Managed: Panels can be collapsed, closed, or added via the Window menu or the
+button located at the bottom of the panel sidebars.
Presets
On a fresh install, Dotti provides some preset layouts:
- Minimalist: No panels at all.
- Animation: Palette, timeline, history, tilemaps.
- Painting: Palette, color, ramps, layers, history.
You can customize your layout at will and then save your current layout as a custom preset, which you can then edit.
Navigation and Control Bars
The interface features several specialized bars for navigation and tool adjustment:
Tab Bar
Located at the very top of the window, the Tab Bar functions similarly to a web browser, displaying all open artworks within that specific window. Multiple editor windows can be kept open simultaneously. The Home button returns the user to the launch screen, where recently opened artworks, release notes, import actions (for animations and spritesheets), and new artwork options can be accessed.
Tool Options Bar
Positioned directly beneath the Tab Bar, the Tool Options Bar dynamically displays settings for the currently selected tool (such as the pencil or gradient tool). For example, when the pencil tool is active, the brush tip shape can be toggled between a circle, a square, or custom loaded presets.
Artwork Info Bar
Located below the Tool Options Bar, this bar displays real-time data, including current cursor coordinates, the exact color value of the hovered pixel, and the layer stack order for that pixel. Manual zoom buttons are also located here.
Status Bar
Found at the absolute bottom of the viewport, the Status Bar displays the active artwork dimensions and color mode. It also contains quick-toggle buttons for:
- Rulers
- Tiled mode
- Pixel grid snapping
- Grid guides
Support and Documentation
For users unfamiliar with professional art software, help popups are integrated throughout the interface. Detailed information regarding the functionality of each specific panel and tool can be accessed directly within the application.