Revive Retro Creativity with ZX-Paintbrush

ZX-Paintbrush is a nostalgic pixel art tool that pays homage to the classic ZX Spectrum, offering a simplistic yet powerful environment for both new and seasoned artists to create detailed bitmap graphics.
ZX-Paintbrush: A Comprehensive Review
ZX-Paintbrush is a powerful software application developed by Claus Jahn, designed to meet the needs of both amateur and professional artists and graphic designers. With a wide range of features and tools, this program offers users the ability to create stunning digital artwork and illustrations with ease.
Key Features:
- Intuitive Interface: The user-friendly interface of ZX-Paintbrush makes it easy for beginners to quickly grasp the various tools and functionalities of the software.
- Diverse Brush Selection: From basic pencil and paintbrush tools to more intricate options like airbrushes and texture brushes, users have access to a wide range of brush types to suit their creative needs.
- Layer Functionality: The layer feature allows users to work on different elements of their artwork separately, making it easier to edit and make adjustments without affecting the entire composition.
- Customizable Brushes: Users can customize brush sizes, shapes, opacities, and other settings to achieve the desired effect in their artwork.
- Color Palette: With a vast color palette to choose from, users can easily select and experiment with different colors to bring their artwork to life.
- Drawing Tools: From basic shapes to advanced drawing tools like bezier curves and symmetry tools, ZX-Paintbrush provides a comprehensive set of drawing tools for creating intricate illustrations.
- Image Import and Export: Users can import images to use as a reference or background and export their finished artwork in various file formats for sharing or printing.
Upsides:
- The software offers a wide range of features suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
- The intuitive interface makes it easy to learn and navigate through the program.
- The customizable brushes and diverse brush selection allow for endless creativity in digital artwork creation.
Downsides:
- Some advanced features may require additional time to master for novice users.
- Can be overwhelming for users looking for a more simplistic or basic digital art program.
Overview
ZX-Paintbrush is a Freeware software in the category Graphics Applications developed by Claus Jahn.
The latest version of ZX-Paintbrush is 1.2.0.5, released on 02/18/2008. It was initially added to our database on 01/26/2008.
ZX-Paintbrush runs on the following operating systems: Windows.
ZX-Paintbrush has not been rated by our users yet.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for creating and editing pixel art
- Offers a wide range of drawing tools such as brush, pencil, fill bucket, shapes, and more
- Supports layers which helps in organizing and managing artwork
- Ability to work with multiple image formats including PNG, GIF, and BMP
- Provides basic image editing features like resizing, rotating, and flipping
- Great for creating retro-style graphics and game assets
- Regular updates by the developer to improve functionality and fix issues
Cons
- Lacks advanced features found in professional graphic design software
- Might be too basic for users looking for complex image manipulation tools
- Not widely known or as popular as other pixel art software options
- Can be prone to occasional bugs or glitches
FAQ
What is ZX-Paintbrush?
ZX-Paintbrush is a graphics editor for the ZX Spectrum computer, created by Claus Jahn.
What features does ZX-Paintbrush have?
ZX-Paintbrush allows users to create and edit bitmap graphics in multiple modes, including multicolor and ULAplus. It also provides various drawing tools, color palette customization, and image export options.
Is ZX-Paintbrush compatible with all ZX Spectrum models?
Yes, ZX-Paintbrush is compatible with all versions of the ZX Spectrum, including the original 48K model, the Spectrum+ series, and the Spectrum 128/+2/+3 series.
Can I load existing images into ZX-Paintbrush?
Yes, ZX-Paintbrush supports loading standard ZX Spectrum screen files (SCR) as well as other image formats like PNG and BMP.
Does ZX-Paintbrush have a color picker tool?
Yes, ZX-Paintbrush provides a color picker tool that allows users to select colors from the available palette or define custom colors.
Can I undo and redo actions in ZX-Paintbrush?
Yes, ZX-Paintbrush offers undo and redo functionality to revert or replay changes made during the editing process.
Is there a zoom feature in ZX-Paintbrush?
Yes, ZX-Paintbrush includes zoom functionality, allowing users to magnify or reduce the view of their artwork while editing.
Can I export my creations from ZX-Paintbrush?
Yes, ZX-Paintbrush supports exporting images in various formats, including standard ZX Spectrum screen files (SCR) and popular image formats like PNG and BMP.
Does ZX-Paintbrush integrate with other ZX Spectrum tools?
ZX-Paintbrush can be used in conjunction with other graphics editors and development tools for the ZX Spectrum, making it easy to incorporate artwork into software projects.
Is there documentation available for ZX-Paintbrush?
Yes, Claus Jahn provides comprehensive documentation for ZX-Paintbrush, including a user manual and tutorials.

Boris Weber
I am an editor at UpdateStar. I started as a support engineer, and am now specialized in writing about general software topics from a usability and performance angle among others. I telecommute from UpdateStar’s Berlin office, when I am not working remote as a digital nomad for UpdateStar. When I'm not analyzing the latest software updates, you can find me exploring new cities, immersing myself in local cultures, and discovering innovative tech trends across the globe.
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