GrafX2 vs Tiled

GrafX2 is scriptable using the Lua language, which can be used to automate tasks and add new functionality to it. The script library features advanced color reduction and enhancement tools, palette analysis, and much more.

GrafX2 supports many file formats, including the popular gif and png, but also importing and exporting from deluxe paint, degas elite, and various other editors using custom formats.

GrafX2 is totally free to use, copy, and modify. It's available on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Haiku, AROS, MorphOS, SkyOS, Syllable, Mint, and a few more systems. Basically anything is supported by the SDL library.

GraphX2 being based on older 256 bitmap software has inherited some tricks that modern pixel editors do not have . One of them being the ability to cycle color palette and produce animations and effects with it.

You can create gradients from one color to another, work in either RGB or HSL color space, save and load palettes, sort and organize palettes, and even work on "color cycling" images.

The program has a basic support for animation using frames in newer versions. Graphics can be cloned and copied between frames and changed slightly.
See here how to animate with GrapfX2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnq6zBZOqoM

Theme UI style can easily be changed from settings including buttons and colors.

The program is able to enforce the pixel constraints of old machines (C64, ZX Spectrum, Apple II, Game Boy Color, etc.)
For example, in ZX Spectrum mode, only 2 different colors can be used in a 8x8 pixel block.

Not everyone uses the same operating system and why should they? Tiled supports Windows, Mac, and Linux so you can work in any environment you like. Also with daily builds you get to stay ahead of the curve!

Using the GPL license means you get to use this software free and are free to make changes to it as you see fit.

Sometimes you need 20 layers to make something epic. Tiled lets you create as many layers as you need.

Setup shell commands within Tiled so you can setup workflows for each of your games.

Whether you want a straight on look at your world or a slightly skewed one Tiled has you covered.

Setup boarders with your tilesets so making tiles provide the correct connections automatically. This feature will speed up your level creation.

One of the coolest things is to create rules so you can automate the mapping process. Want to have certain tiles to always have a collider? Simply make a rule for it and it'll do it automatically. Speed up your mapping process with this feature.

A big list of engines already have support for Tiled provided by those in the community. See if the engine you use is already on the list.

Tiled makes it easy to setup triggers and colliders with its vector tools or you can set up a tile that’s invisible in your game. Change collider/trigger properties so you can access them within your game.

Want to import a giant object but don’t want to split it up? Import it and place it the exact size you want it as one object.

Create properties for your map, layers, tilesets, tiles, and objects. Have the flexibility you need to create the best levels for your game.

Tiled provides an easy solution for tile maps for any engine even the custom engine you are now making. This makes Tiled a very versatile tool for 2D games.