1. Save an editable .pxl file
Choose File → Save project, or use the Save button. Tiny Pixel Editor saves a .pxl project containing your artwork, layers, animation frames and project settings.
Your browser may show a file picker or download the project directly. If it downloads, check your browser's downloads list and move the file to a folder you recognise. In browsers that support saving to an existing file, later saves can update that file after permission is granted.
Use File → Save project as… when you want a separate copy. A simple name such as blue-orb-v2.pxl makes versions easier to recognise. To continue later, choose File → Open… and select the project file.
2. Treat browser autosave as a recovery aid
The editor also uses browser storage to keep work locally. That storage belongs to the browser profile and website address where you created the artwork. It does not automatically transfer to another browser, computer or device.
Clearing website data, using a private browsing session or losing access to a browser profile can remove that local copy. Storage limits or browser errors can also prevent autosave. If the editor reports an autosave problem, save a .pxl file straight away.
Before clearing browser data or switching devices, save your important projects to files and check that those files reopen. Keep an additional copy somewhere you normally back up your work.
3. Export a still image as PNG
- Select the frame you want to share.
- Choose File → Export…, then set Format to PNG.
- Choose Scale → 1x for the original dimensions, or a larger scale for a bigger image.
- Keep Pixel aspect at Original pixel dimensions (aspect recorded in sprite sheets). The stretch option can change the width or height when your project uses non-square pixels.
- Leave Selection only unchecked to export the whole canvas, then choose Export.
PNG preserves transparency. The editor's chequered canvas background is not part of the image, although an image viewer may display its own background behind transparent pixels. If you painted a background layer, those painted pixels are part of the exported image.
Exporting combines the visible artwork layers for the selected frame. Reference layers are drawing guides and are excluded from exported images. Keep the .pxl file if you want to adjust your layers separately later.
4. Choose another format for a specific purpose
Use Animated GIF or Animated PNG (APNG) for moving artwork. These options require at least two frames. The animation guide explains playback and repeat settings.
Use Sprite sheet (PNG) for frames arranged in one image, or Frame sequence (ZIP of PNGs) for separate frame images in an archive. See the sprite sheet guide for matching metadata.
JPEG uses a background colour instead of transparency and can introduce compression artefacts around hard edges. PNG is a straightforward starting point for crisp pixel art.
5. Check the downloaded file
If you cannot find a saved or exported file, look in your browser's downloads list and check whether it blocked or cancelled the download. If an image is unexpectedly cropped, reopen Export and check Selection only. If it is larger than expected or looks stretched, check Scale and Pixel aspect.
Finally, open the exported image and confirm its dimensions, transparency and appearance. Saving a project and checking an export are two small steps that make it easier to return to your artwork with confidence.