This guide covers importing AutoSprite exports into GameMaker as Sprites. AutoSprite's default export is a **5×5 grid = 25 frames per animation**, and the easiest way into GameMaker is to use the **individual frame PNGs** from the `frames/` folder. Need to generate the asset first? Start with the [GameMaker sprite sheet generator](/gamemaker-sprite-sheet-generator) workflow, then use this guide for Sprite import and Object wiring. ## Download Format On the Spritesheets screen, click **Download** and pick a format: | Format | What you get | Best for GameMaker | |---|---|---| | **AutoSprite Format (ZIP)** | Folder per animation with `spritesheet.png`, `atlas.json`, and `frames/01.png … 25.png` | ✅ Recommended | | **Stream Avatars Format (PNG)** | Single PNG with each animation as a row (configurable frames/row + size) | Works as a single strip grid | ## Quick Start (Recommended: Frames Folder) GameMaker can build a Sprite directly from a set of numbered PNGs. Since AutoSprite already exports `01.png` through `25.png` in order, this is the cleanest path. On the Spritesheets screen, click **Download** → **AutoSprite Format** → **Download ZIP**. Unzip it. You'll get one folder per animation: ``` MyCharacter.zip ├── idle/ │ ├── spritesheet.png │ ├── atlas.json │ └── frames/ │ ├── 01.png │ ├── 02.png │ └── … 25.png ├── walk/ │ └── … └── run/ └── … ``` Right-click inside the Asset Browser → **Create Sprite**. Name it (e.g. `spr_player_idle`). In the Sprite properties window, click the **Import** button (not **Edit Image** — that opens the per-frame Image Editor). In the file picker: - Multi-select `01.png` through `25.png` from the animation's `frames/` folder - Click **Open** GameMaker adds each PNG as a sub-image (frame), in the order your OS returns the multi-select, and sets the sprite dimensions to the frame size (e.g. 256×256 by default). On macOS the multi-select order may not be alphabetical. If frames import scrambled, import them one at a time in order, or use **Edit Image → right-click sub-image strip → Reorder**. In the Sprite properties window: - **Origin**: Middle Centre for most characters, or Bottom Centre for ground-aligned feet - **Frames per second** (in the Playback section): start at 12 for idle/walk, 15–20 for run and attack. The unit toggle lets you switch between "Frames per second" and "Frames per game frame". Close the window. Create one Sprite per animation folder (`spr_player_idle`, `spr_player_walk`, `spr_player_run`, etc.). ## Alternative: Strip Image (Single Row) GameMaker's built-in **strip image** import only handles a single horizontal row. It does NOT slice a 2D grid — there's no "frames per row" field. That means AutoSprite's default 5×5 `spritesheet.png` can't be imported this way directly; stick to the **frames folder** path above, or re-export as a strip. If your animation fits on one row: Rename the PNG to include `_stripN` where N is the frame count — e.g. `idle_strip25.png`. Drag the `_stripN.png` into the Asset Browser (or right-click → **Create Sprite**, then Import it). GameMaker reads the number from the filename and slices the PNG into N frames of `total_width / N`. ## Stream Avatars Format for GameMaker The Stream Avatars single-PNG export is row-per-animation, so each animation is already laid out horizontally. To bring one animation into GameMaker: - In AutoSprite export settings, set frames-per-row to match your per-animation frame count (e.g. **25** to match the default). - Crop one row (one animation) to a separate PNG and rename it with the `_stripN` suffix above (e.g. `run_strip25.png`). - Drag in — GameMaker slices it into N frames. For multi-animation sheets, the frames-folder path above is less fiddly. ## Driving the Sprite in an Object Once your Sprites are imported, drive them from an Object's Step event: ```gml // Create event sprite_index = spr_player_idle; image_speed = 1; // Step event if (keyboard_check(vk_right)) { sprite_index = spr_player_run; image_xscale = 1; } else if (keyboard_check(vk_left)) { sprite_index = spr_player_run; image_xscale = -1; } else { sprite_index = spr_player_idle; } ``` ### Chain an Attack Back to Idle ```gml // Animation End event if (sprite_index == spr_player_attack) { sprite_index = spr_player_idle; } ``` ## Using Sequences (2.3+) If you want blended transitions or keyframed events, drop each Sprite into a **Sequence** asset: Right-click **Sequences → Create → Sequence**. Drag `spr_player_idle`, `spr_player_run`, etc. onto the Sequence timeline. Each animation becomes a track you can re-time, crossfade, or trigger with Broadcast Events. ## Pixel Art Tips In **Game Options → [your platform] → Graphics**, uncheck **Interpolate Colours Between Pixels** to keep pixel art crisp. This is a per-platform global — GameMaker doesn't expose a per-sprite or per-Texture-Group toggle. For runtime control use `gpu_set_texfilter(false)`. ## Common Issues **Frames import out of order:** GameMaker imports sub-images in the order your OS returns the multi-select, which isn't always alphabetical (macOS in particular). AutoSprite zero-pads filenames (`01.png`, `02.png`, …), which usually keeps order stable — but if it doesn't, reorder via **Edit Image → right-click the sub-image strip → Reorder**. **Single sprite looks stretched:** You imported the whole `spritesheet.png` as one PNG, so GameMaker treated the full 5×5 grid as a single frame. Either use the **frames folder** path (one file per frame) or re-export as a `_stripN.png` single row. **Character floats or sinks in-game:** Origin is wrong. Change it to **Bottom Centre** so the feet sit on the tile. **Animation plays too fast/slow:** The **Frames per second** value on the sprite controls playback, not the object's `image_speed` multiplier. Try 12–15 fps for pixel art. **Attack animation fires idle mid-loop:** The **Animation End** event fires every time the last frame finishes — including on a looping idle — so always gate with `if (sprite_index == spr_player_attack)` before swapping back to idle. ## Learn More - [GameMaker Sprite Editor Manual](https://manual.gamemaker.io/monthly/en/The_Asset_Editors/Sprites.htm) - [Strip Image Import](https://manual.gamemaker.io/monthly/en/The_Asset_Editors/Sprite_Properties/Sprite_Strips.htm) - [Sequences Overview](https://manual.gamemaker.io/monthly/en/The_Asset_Editors/Sequences.htm) ## Need Help? Join Discord Post a screenshot of your import dialog and we'll help you get the frame order right.

GameMaker Integration

GameMaker Integration