aseprite VS Rack

Aseprite is free if you compile it yourself [0], and can still be used for commercial purposes if compiled this way [1]. But I recommend buying it anyway to support the project.

[0]: https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite/

[1]: https://www.aseprite.org/faq/#can-i-sell-graphics-created-wi...

Nitpick: Aseprite is source-available, not open source by the Open Source Initiative's definition. From the Aseprite EULA [1]:

> (g) Source code.

> You may only compile and modify the source code of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT for your own personal purpose or to propose a contribution to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

The OSI's definition of open source [2] requires distribution of unmodified and modified copies (with the exception of lone, unmodified copies; I read somewhere that writing a hello world program is a workaround):

> 1. Free Redistribution

> The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.

...

> 3. Derived Works

> The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.

"free software" is ambiguous to English speakers/writers, but "open source" is ambiguous in its own way.

[1] https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite/blob/main/EULA.txt

[2] https://opensource.org/osd

That's not because you didn't know about it that it is a "new trend"

https://github.com/Poussinou/FLOSS-Games-on-Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/38475471-Libre-Open-S...

It's nothing new, and also exist in the tooling side of things

https://store.steampowered.com/app/431730/Aseprite/ - https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite

This is specifically targeted for Aseperite users, and also makes use of a great tool called TexturePacker by CodeAndWeb. Andreas from CodeAndWeb always helps me out when I email them, and the software itself is awesome, so I figured I'd give it a boost.

Are you on macOS? There is a known issue that we've just fixed and released a new version with the fix today as v1.3-rc7 (we're going to publish some release notes in the following days).

I'd never used Aseprite before, but it was luckily pretty straightforward to copy and paste and slightly edit the knight into a little spritesheet!

I modeled this simple computer in Blender and used the Pribambase plugin to create an animated texture for it with aseprite. I keyframed the animation in Blender and it works perfectly there.

One of my favorite "MS Paint" clones is KolourPaint[1]. I've been using it for over a decade (you have to search around to get it on non-linux platforms but I presently have it on MacOS). One of my favorite features is how it handles transparency, where it's just treated like another "color".

If anyone is heavy into pixel art, you may also be interested in Aseprite[2].

[1] http://www.kolourpaint.org/

[2] https://www.aseprite.org/

VCV Rack - Modular Synth

> It’s haven’t bought any Modular’s yet but I’m really looking forward to getting into other on the new year.

http://cardinal.kx.studio

https://vcvrack.com/

The former is libre and gratis, runs as a standalone or plugin and in the browser!! and is based on the latter.

Ther former has a libre and gratis standalone version, the plugin version is non-gratis.

A music synthesizer. It's a pathway to learning electronics, music, and the nature of sound. There are cheap kits, cheap synths, lots of kinds of synths, and there are much more complicated and expensive systems you can grow into. You can get software synths also, VCV Rack is a free though complex one:

https://vcvrack.com/

However I'd recommend an inexpensive hardware one with real knobs you can turn, like one of the Korg Volca series:

https://www.korg-volca.com/en/

Recording the sounds can lead into exploring all the concepts and gear involved in recording and mixing music. It's not mutually exclusive with doing other things also, you can play with both synths and computers and being involved with something artistic can add dimensions to and an escape from the nature of classwork/work.

Some other suggestions: gardening, high voltage electronics (with lots of supervision), electronics, photography, movie making, ham radio (gnu radio), show lighting systems (there's more than disco lights, robotics is involved), robotics, acoustic instruments (guitar, piano, flute, drums), sensors (you don't necessarily have to know electronics, get a data logger with built in sensors), weather monitoring/forecasting, hydraulic systems (with supervision), wood working, metal working, 3D printing, bird watching, painting, minibikes/small engines.

What really opened my eyes was the Nord Micromodular; it taught me what I just described. It showed me how limited other synths were - but that limitation was a trade-off because it's much faster to make something on a fixed-structure synth than on a modular, in most cases. Nowadays, you can use https://vcvrack.com/ instead of a small limited box that needs Windows 98 to run the editor on.

Also I would suggest the paid version of VCV rack which works as a VST too ( the free version is just stand alone ) Expecially when experimenting with modular ( believe me, it can save you a fortune whilst you learn what different modules do ) I would also recommend Omri Cohens Youtube channel for learning this too.