GameMakerPNG grid workflow

Sprite Sheet Generator for GameMaker

Pack your frames into an evenly spaced sheet and bring it into GameMaker with the strip importer. Frame size, cells per row, and separation all line up.

A sprite sheet exported as a uniform PNG strip, next to the settings it needs in GameMaker
What you export

Format menu

PNG

Uniform PNG strip or grid

GameMaker does not read third-party atlas metadata, so the sheet carries the layout. Export a uniform PNG and the strip importer rebuilds your frames from three numbers: frame width, frame height, and how many cells sit per row. GameMaker builds its own texture pages at compile time, so packing tightness on your side does not matter, only that the grid is regular.

Step by step

Getting the sheet into GameMaker

  1. 1

    Export a uniform sheet

    Keep every cell the same size. Note the cell width, cell height, frames per row, and gutter before exporting the PNG.

  2. 2

    Create the sprite

    In the asset browser, create a new Sprite, then choose Import in the sprite editor and pick your PNG.

  3. 3

    Import as a strip

    Use the strip import options to set frame width and height, the number of frames, and frames per row. If you exported a gutter, set the horizontal and vertical separation to match.

  4. 4

    Set origin and speed

    Pick the origin (Middle Centre for characters) and set the sprite Speed in frames per second.

  5. 5

    Kill the interpolation

    Game Options > Graphics: turn off Interpolate colours between pixels so pixel art stays sharp.

GML
// Create event
image_speed = 1;      // sprite Speed value drives the FPS
image_index = 0;

// Swap animations by swapping sprite
if (moving) {
    sprite_index = spr_hero_walk;
} else {
    sprite_index = spr_hero_idle;
}
Cheat sheet
SettingGameMaker value
ImportSprite editor > Import Strip Image
Frame sizeFrame width and height, in pixels
LayoutNumber of frames and frames per row
GutterHorizontal / vertical separation
Crisp pixelsInterpolate colours between pixels: off
Built for the workflow

Strip or grid

Export a single row for a classic strip, or a rectangular grid and tell the importer how many cells per row.

Predictable spacing

You choose the gutter, so the separation values you type into the importer are numbers you already know.

Duplicate detection

Repeated frames get flagged before export, so you are not shipping the same idle pose four times.

Preview the timing

Scrub the animation at your target FPS first, then set the same number as the sprite Speed.

GameMaker FAQ

Want the long version? Read the engine import guide, or see every export format.

Other engines
Unity Godot Phaser PixiJS Construct 3 Defold Tiled FNF & Sparrow

Export for GameMaker

Pack your frames in the browser. What you walk away with: Uniform PNG strip or grid, ready for GameMaker.

Open the editor All engines