PixelLab AI

Build a PixelLab character set around one reference

PixelLab at pixellab.ai focuses on pixel-art game assets. It brings character generation, rotation, animation, editing, maps, and UI into the same toolset. Our suggested starting point is one character, one prop, and one small tile group so you can judge whether the set shares a readable style.

1. Fix the art direction: choose a reference, palette, outline treatment, and camera view before requesting variants.
2. Choose the directions: PixelLab supports four- and eight-direction views. Include equipment and silhouette checks for each facing.
3. Choose the animation tool: basic text animation and Animate with Text (Pro) have different access and output limits. Use the Pro table below when planning that workflow.
4. Review a matching set: compare character scale, prop scale, and tile readability together at the intended game size.

Feature source: PixelLab product overview. Continue with the game asset generator guide when the project needs other art types.

PixelLab animation frames and generation costs

Animate with Text (Pro) uses one reference image and an action description. The documented frame count changes with reference size:

The tool requires Tier 1, caps its reference at 256 × 256 pixels, and offers a No Background option. The docs list availability in Creator, Aseprite, and Pixelorama. Larger image limits elsewhere in a subscription do not increase this tool’s documented reference limit.

For a 64 × 64 reference, idle, walk, and attack across four directions would mean 12 requests × 20 = 240 generation units. That planning example excludes the original character, rotations, and retries. Moving to a larger reference can reduce the available frames as well as change the cost.

Before importing a sheet, record the actual cell dimensions, row order, timing, and pivot for every action. Check transparent edges and playback at native resolution. Our prompt-to-sprite workflow covers the handoff steps.

Frame, cost, and access source: Animate with Text (Pro) documentation.

What the PixelLab free trial covers

The free trial lists 40 fast generations, followed by five slower daily generations that can accumulate up to 20. It covers images up to 200 × 200 pixels, rotation, inpainting, and basic text animation. The pricing page excludes map tools.

Tier 1 starts at $12/month and lists 2,000 images per month, images up to 320 × 320 pixels, text and skeleton animation, and map generation. Tier 2 starts at $24/month and lists 5,000 images plus image generation up to 512 × 512 pixels. Budget animation using the per-tool costs above.

Check the specific map tool

The Create map (Pixflux) docs list a 320 × 320 area cap for Tier 1 and 400 × 400 for Tier 2 and above. That page also contains a free-tier size reference, while the pricing page excludes maps from the free trial. Use the current plan’s access rules when deciding whether your trial covers the map workflow.

The pricing page permits commercial use of generated images, with an exception for training models. Keep the rights to your input references in view when choosing assets for a release.

Sources: PixelLab subscription tiers and commercial-use note; Create map limits.

PixelLab alternatives by production task

Choose Ludo.ai when several media types or a bundle of aligned animations matter to the prototype. Compare AutoSprite when you already have the character and need a focused animation workflow. Consider Scenario when the art direction extends beyond pixel art into a wider asset library.

PixelLab remains a focused starting point for a pixel-art set with directional characters. Compare every candidate on the same small set using the AI sprite-sheet generator guide, and count the edits needed between export and in-game playback.