Palette Workflow
Using the Palette House Like a Pro
Palette House work gets easier when the design is prepared as a numbered pixel grid. The grid gives you a plan for color order, row-by-row copying, and cleanup so you spend less time guessing between similar shades.
Open the Grid MakerStep-by-Step Workflow
- Export a numbered pattern. A numbered pattern turns every grid cell into a palette instruction. This is the easiest format to follow when rebuilding a design by hand.
- Group similar colors. Copy large regions first, then move to smaller shades. This keeps the overall design readable while you work.
- Check the silhouette often. Zoom out or step back from the pattern after each major color pass. If the shape reads clearly, the details will be easier to place.
- Use reduced colors for busy art. When a pattern has too many tiny shade changes, switch to fewer colors and regenerate. A simpler palette usually looks cleaner in-game.
Palette House Color Strategy
Choose colors based on readability first and exact matching second. Pixel art often looks better when nearby shades are merged into a smaller set.
If skin, clothing, or backgrounds become muddy, reduce the palette and add a few manual highlights instead of keeping every source color.
Common Palette House Mistakes
The most common mistake is starting with tiny details. Draw the outline and large fills first so errors are visible early.
Another mistake is using a grid that is too large for a simple object. If a 48x48 result feels noisy, a cleaner 32x32 grid may look better.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use every color from the generated palette?
No. Use only the colors that improve readability. Merging close shades can make a design easier to copy and cleaner in-game.
Is dithering always better?
No. Soft dithering can help gradients, but heavy dithering creates many alternating cells that are slow to copy manually.