If you are developing a mod or just updating the look and feel of Minecraft with a resource pack, you'll need the right tools to create and edit textures. This article explores some of the tools available for drawing textures, including options for both beginners and more experienced creators.
Minecraft textures are designed as pixel art, so while most picture paining software can get its job done, you may be more interested in more specialized software for pixel art that we will also mention below.
GIMP
GIMP is a free, open-source alternative to Photoshop. It’s a full-fledged image editing software that supports multiple file types, including .png that Minecraft uses for its textures. GIMP offers powerful features like layers, brushes, and filters that allow you to create detailed textures with ease. It is not directly intended as a pixel art editor, but can still be used as one.
Key Features
- Advanced layer and blending modes
- Brush customization and texture painting tools
- Many filters and tools for faster workflow
- Wide range of plugins to extend functionality
Best for
Texture creators that are looking for a free tool that’s more powerful than basic editors, while still accessible to beginners.
Aseprite
Aseprite is one of the most popular tools for pixel art, making it a favorite among Minecraft texture creators. It offers an intuitive interface with features specifically designed for sprite and texture work, such as frame-by-frame animation, palette control, and layers.
Key Features
- Pixel-perfect editing tools
- Animation support for creating animated textures (like water or lava)
- Support for custom color palettes
- A wide range of export options, including
.pngfiles suitable for Minecraft
Best for
Intermediate to advanced texture creators who want precise control over each pixel and the ability to create animated textures.
Photoshop
Photoshop is one of the most powerful image editing tools available. It’s widely used for texture creation due to its advanced feature set. Photoshop allows for intricate control over texture details, layer management, and effects. Photoshop is a paid software so keep this in mind when choosing your tool.
Key Features
- Customizable brushes and advanced painting tools
- Layer effects, masks, and blending modes
- Precise color and gradient controls
- Cloud integration and powerful export options
Best for
Professional artists or those who are already familiar with Photoshop and need a powerful tool to create high-quality textures.
Paint.NET
Paint.NET is a lightweight, free image editing software that balances simplicity with functionality. It’s ideal for Minecraft creators who need to quickly draw or edit textures without a steep learning curve.
Key Features
- Simple and easy-to-navigate user interface
- Layer support for advanced editing
- Plugin support to extend its capabilities
- Lightweight and fast for quick edits
Best for
Beginners or modders who need a straightforward tool to draw and edit textures without overcomplicating the process.
Krita
Krita is a free, open-source digital painting software that offers a range of features suitable for Minecraft texture creation. While it’s more geared toward digital painting, its customizable brushes and pixel art tools make it a strong contender for creating detailed textures.
Key Features
- Customizable brush engine
- Multiple layers and blending modes
- Animation support for creating animated textures
- Extensive community support and tutorials
Best for
Artists who want to experiment with digital painting techniques alongside pixel art for Minecraft textures.
MCreator
MCreator is more than just a texture editor; it’s a full modding tool that simplifies Minecraft mod development. However, it also comes with a built-in texture maker, which is perfect for modders who want to create simple textures without needing an external image editor. MCreator’s texture editor is designed with modding in mind, making it easy to create textures directly within your project.
Key Features
- Integrated texture editor with wider modding toolkit
- Palette system to match Minecraft’s pixel art style
- Tools and templates to quickly make textures in Minecraft style
- Easy export and integration with mods or resource packs
Best for
Beginners or modders who want an all-in-one tool for modding and texture creation. It’s ideal for those who don’t want to learn separate, complex texture software and want a quick way to generate textures as part of their modding process.