Yes, you can create your own pixel art animations for a Divoom display, and the process is more approachable than it looks. Making your own animations is not just about filling a screen — it is about turning a generic display into a personal pixel companion that tells your story on your desk. The full workflow comes down to five steps: match your canvas to your device, pick an animation tool, draw your frames, export a GIF, and import it through the Divoom app. Whether you own a Pixoo-64 with its 64×64 LED panel, a Pixoo Max at 32×32, or a Ditoo Pro at 16×16, the same frame-by-frame principles apply. This guide walks through each step with specific tool recommendations, frame rate guidance, and the exact app import process.
The video above shows the complete journey from blank canvas to live display. The creator builds a rotating skull animation on a 64×64 grid, exports it, and sends it to a Pixoo-64 using the Divoom app. The same approach works for simpler animations on smaller grids.
What Is Pixel Art Animation?
Pixel art animation is the art of sequencing hand-drawn pixel frames to create the illusion of movement. Each frame is a static image drawn at the pixel level, and when you play them back at a consistent speed, your brain fills in the gaps. According to Wikipedia's definition of pixel art, it is "a form of digital art drawn with graphical software where images are built using pixels as the only building block." Animation simply means drawing multiple of those pixel images and playing them in sequence.
For Divoom displays, the final output is a GIF file. The Divoom app reads the GIF, extracts each frame, and pushes them to the LED panel at the speed you set. Because the display uses physical LEDs rather than a screen, each pixel is distinctly visible, which gives pixel art animation a tactile, glowing quality that screen-based tools cannot replicate.
Match Your Canvas to Your Divoom Device
Before you draw a single pixel, you need to know your canvas size. Divoom displays come in three primary grid sizes, and each one shapes what kind of animation is practical.
The Pixoo-64 gives you a 64×64 grid — 4,096 pixels total. That is the largest canvas in the Pixoo line, and it allows detailed characters, multi-element scenes, and smooth rotations. If you want to animate a character walking across a small landscape or a clock face with moving gears, this is the display that can handle it.
The Pixoo Max sits in the middle with a 32×32 grid — 1,024 pixels. It is a good balance between detail and simplicity. Logos, bouncing icons, and short character loops work well here. You will not fit as much detail as on the 64×64, but you also need fewer frames to fill the space convincingly.
The Ditoo Pro has a 16×16 grid — only 256 pixels. This is where pixel economy matters most. Every pixel is precious, and readability comes from clear silhouettes rather than fine detail. Simple motions work best: a blinking eye, a bouncing ball, a color shift, a weather icon that changes from sun to rain. A 16×16 canvas might need only four to six frames for a convincing loop, while a 64×64 canvas might need twelve to twenty-four frames for the same smoothness.
Pick Your Animation Tool
You have four realistic options for creating pixel art animations, and the right one depends on your platform, budget, and how much control you want.
Aseprite is the most popular pixel art animation tool among indie game developers and pixel art hobbyists. It costs about $20 and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. You get a real timeline, onion skin (seeing previous and next frames as ghosts), palette management, and direct GIF export. If you plan to make animations regularly, Aseprite is the tool that will grow with you. You can learn more or download it from the official Aseprite website. For a detailed guide on exporting from Aseprite specifically to Divoom, see our Aseprite to Divoom export tutorial.
Piskel is a free, browser-based alternative. You do not need to install anything, and it supports frame-by-frame editing, onion skin, and GIF export. It is slower than Aseprite on larger canvases, but for trying out animation without spending money, it is hard to beat. Visit piskelapp.com to start drawing immediately.
Procreate on iPad is not a dedicated pixel art tool, but its Animation Assist feature works well for frame-by-frame creation. Each layer group becomes a single frame, and you can scrub through the timeline to check your progress. If you already own an iPad and Procreate, this is a natural starting point. The video embedded above demonstrates a complete Procreate-to-Divoom workflow.
The Divoom app's built-in editor is the simplest option. It is free, available on iOS and Android, and requires no external software. The editing tools are basic, but for simple animations like a color-shifting icon or a two-frame blink, it is sufficient. This is also the fastest path from idea to display because you skip the export and upload steps entirely.
Set Your Frame Rate
Frame rate determines how many images play back each second, and it has a bigger impact on the feel of your animation than any other setting. Most pixel art animations look best at 8 to 12 frames per second (FPS). Twelve FPS is a common starting point because it matches a technique called "animating on twos" — you draw a new frame every other position at the standard 24 FPS film rate, which gives you smooth motion without doubling your work.
Lower frame rates (4 to 8 FPS) create a choppy, retro feel that can work for certain styles, especially on small 16×16 grids where there are fewer pixels to move. Higher frame rates (15+ FPS) produce smoother motion but require more frames, larger GIF files, and more drawing time. For Divoom displays, 8 to 12 FPS is the sweet spot because LED panels refresh differently from screens, and the pixel grids are small enough that higher frame rates do not add much visible smoothness.
Quick tip: What matters most is how the motion feels, not the number on the slider. Test your animation at 8 FPS and 12 FPS side by side — if you cannot tell the difference, go with the lower frame rate and save yourself the drawing time.
For a deep dive on choosing the right frame rate for different animation types, read our pixel art animation frame rate guide.
Draw Your Animation Frame by Frame
Once your canvas is set and your tool is ready, the actual drawing begins. The process is the same whether you are making a four-frame blink or a twenty-four-frame walk cycle. In computer graphics, each frame is sometimes called a sprite — a two-dimensional image that gets composited into a larger scene. For Divoom displays, your entire animation lives within that single sprite grid.
Step 1: Plan your animation. Before drawing, decide what moves and how. Sketch the key poses mentally or on paper. For a looping animation, identify the start and end positions — they need to match. A bouncing ball has a simple arc: top, middle, bottom, middle, top. A rotating skull has front, side, and back views. Planning saves you from redrawing frames later.
Step 2: Draw your key frames. These are the most important positions in your animation. For a walk cycle, that is the contact pose (foot hitting the ground) and the passing pose (mid-stride). For a rotation, draw the front, side, and back views first. Do not worry about smoothness yet — get the key positions right.
Step 3: Fill in-between frames. Add frames between your key frames to create smooth transitions. Use onion skin to see the previous and next frames as faint ghosts, which helps you keep proportions consistent. The number of in-between frames determines how smooth the motion feels — more frames means smoother but slower animation.
Step 4: Apply easing. Objects in real life do not move at constant speed. They start slow, accelerate, and slow down again before stopping. In pixel art, this means moving your subject 1 to 2 pixels per frame at the start and end of a motion, and 8 to 9 pixels per frame in the middle. This technique, called easing in and out, is the single biggest difference between amateur and convincing animation.
Step 5: Add secondary animation. Things in your scene should react to the main movement. If a character jumps, their hair or clothing should lag behind and settle after landing. If a ball hits the ground, dust particles might fly up. This cause-and-effect makes the animation feel alive rather than mechanical.
Step 6: Check for impact and smearing. For fast movements like a sword swing or a punch, do not draw every single frame. Two or three frames are enough for something that moves that quickly. To sell the speed, use smearing — stretch the subject into a smear of color that shows direction. Think of it as motion blur for pixel art. Use it sparingly, only on the fastest frames.
Make It Loop Seamlessly
A looping animation plays continuously without a visible jump. The secret is simple: the last frame must transition smoothly back to the first frame. If your character ends up one pixel to the left of where they started, the loop will pop.
To test your loop, play the animation back at your target frame rate and watch the transition from the last frame to the first. If you see a jump, adjust the pixel positions in the last frame until it matches the first. For circular motions like a rotating object, the last frame should be one step before the first frame — not a duplicate of it. For bouncing motions, the last frame should mirror the second frame so the bounce reverses naturally.
Some loop types are easier than others. A color shift (sun to moon and back) is the simplest because position does not matter. A bouncing ball is next because the motion is symmetrical. A walk cycle is harder because the limbs need to return to their starting positions. Start with a simple four-frame bounce or color shift before attempting character animation.
Export as GIF
When your animation is complete, export it as a GIF file. GIF is the format the Divoom app accepts for animated pixel art. Keep these settings in mind:
- Canvas size: Must match your device grid exactly — 64×64, 32×32, or 16×16. If your canvas is larger, scale it down before exporting.
- Frame delay: For 12 FPS, set the delay to approximately 83 milliseconds (1/12 second). Most tools let you specify this in the export dialog.
- Color palette: GIF supports a maximum of 256 colors. Stick to common colors and avoid subtle gradients, which the GIF format will dither and may look noisy on an LED panel.
- File size: Keep under 1 MB for reliable upload through the Divoom app. Fewer frames and smaller canvas sizes naturally produce smaller files.
- Looping: Set the GIF to loop infinitely (loop count = 0 in most export tools).
If you already have a sprite sheet — a single image containing all frames laid out in a grid — you can convert it to an animated GIF using tools like Aseprite or online converters. See our guide on turning a sprite sheet into a GIF for Divoom for step-by-step instructions.
Import Your Animation to the Divoom App
Once you have your GIF file, the final step is getting it onto your display. The Divoom app handles this process:
- Open the Divoom app on your phone and make sure your device is connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
- Tap the Galleria button (the cube icon at the bottom center of the screen).
- Tap the plus (+) icon to create a new entry.
- Select "Convert animations" to upload your GIF file from your phone's storage.
- The app processes the GIF and shows a preview of how it will look on your display.
- Assign the animation to a custom channel — Custom 1, 2, or 3. Each channel acts as a playlist, and you can mix your animation with other art.
- Push to your device. The animation appears on your display within a few seconds.
If you run into issues during upload — such as the GIF not importing or appearing distorted — check that your canvas dimensions match your device grid exactly and that the file size is under 1 MB. For general art upload instructions (static images, photos, and other file types), see our guide on how to upload custom art to Divoom. For device-specific troubleshooting, the Divoom product manual has setup and connection details for every model.
Which Divoom Display Should You Animate On?
If you are choosing a Divoom display specifically for animation, here is how the three models compare:
| Feature |
Pixoo-64 Large creative canvas 
|
Pixoo Max Balanced middle ground 
|
Ditoo Pro Compact challenge mode 
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid size | 64×64 (4,096 px) | 32×32 (1,024 px) | 16×16 (256 px) |
| Best animation style | Detailed characters, scenes, rotations | Logos, icons, short loops | Blinks, bounces, color shifts |
| Frames for smooth loop | 12–24 | 8–12 | 4–6 |
| Beginner difficulty | Medium — more room but more work | Low — good starting point | High — every pixel matters |
If you are new to animation, the Pixoo Max at 32×32 is the easiest entry point — enough pixels to make recognizable art, but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. The Pixoo-64 is best if you already have some drawing experience and want creative freedom. The Ditoo Pro is a fun challenge for minimalist animators who enjoy working within tight constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many frames do I need for a pixel art animation on a Divoom display?
For a 16×16 display like the Ditoo Pro, 4 to 6 frames are usually enough for a smooth loop. For a 32×32 Pixoo Max, aim for 8 to 12 frames. For a 64×64 Pixoo-64, 12 to 24 frames will give you smooth motion. Start with fewer frames and add more only if the animation feels choppy. For detailed frame rate guidance, see our frame rate guide.
Can I use AI to animate pixel art for Divoom?
AI-assisted pixel art animation tools exist, but they are still early in development and often produce inconsistent results at the small canvas sizes Divoom displays require. For now, manual frame-by-frame creation gives you more control and more predictable outcomes. If you want to experiment, use AI to generate static pixel art frames, then assemble them manually in Aseprite or Piskel.
Why won't my GIF import into the Divoom app?
The most common causes are canvas size mismatch, file size over 1 MB, or too many frames. Make sure your GIF dimensions match your device grid exactly (64×64, 32×32, or 16×16). Reduce the frame count or lower the color count if the file is too large. If the app crashes during import, try closing other apps on your phone to free up memory before retrying.
Can I animate directly in the Divoom app without external tools?
Yes. The Divoom app has a built-in pixel art editor that supports frame-by-frame animation. It is basic compared to Aseprite or Piskel, but it works for simple animations like color shifts, blinking eyes, or bouncing icons. The advantage is that you skip the export and upload steps entirely — what you draw goes straight to the display.
What is the best canvas size for pixel art animation beginners?
32×32 is the best starting point for beginners. It gives you enough pixels to create recognizable art without the overwhelming detail of 64×64 or the extreme constraint of 16×16. The Pixoo Max is the display that matches this canvas size. Once you are comfortable, you can scale up to the Pixoo-64 or down to the Ditoo Pro.
Keep Learning
Start with a simple four-frame loop — a bouncing ball, a blinking eye, or a color-shifting icon. Once that feels natural, move on to character animation and longer sequences. Here are deeper resources for specific sub-topics:
- Pixel art animation frame rate guide — how many frames and FPS you really need
- Turn a sprite sheet into a GIF for Divoom — converting existing sprite sheets
- Export pixel art from Aseprite to Divoom — detailed Aseprite export workflow
- How to upload custom art to Divoom — general upload process for images and GIFs
- Find, save, and apply Divoom app templates — using community designs as inspiration
The tools and techniques in this guide work across every Divoom pixel display. What matters is not the size of your canvas or the cost of your software — it is the time you spend making each frame feel right. Pick your canvas, grab a tool, and start drawing your first frame. The result will be a memorable animation that is uniquely yours, glowing on your desk as a pixel companion you built from scratch.
