Some more info on my part -
Tried GIMP out when I was getting started. It’s free, but the learning curve might be a bit big. I switched to Pixelmator because the easier interface was worth the $15 (they might have raised the price since I got it).
Also tried out InkScape - I’d highly recommend it, unless weird windows popping up everywhere gives you a headache. GIMP also had it’s share of weird windows, by the way. Personally, I’d say InkScape isn’t quite as good as Sketch, though, also.
Tried out Love2D (also when getting started). It has a few big things going for it. First of all, it’s free, no limits on pro vs. starter or anything. That’s a BIG pro over Corona. Don’t get me wrong - it’s fine for CoronaLabs to charge for their great SDK, but you have to admit, it’s hard to beat “free” for a price. Second of all, it supports shaders/pixel effects - if Corona did that, it would be great… For the pro subscribers. Love2D also has quad support, skewing, and some other things you can do to image objects.
However, the Love2D workflow is a bit of a hassle. You can’t just save a file and instantly reload, plus you also can’t reload when the Love2D window is open - a small thing, but you’d be surprised at the effect it has. The “love.update()” thingy that Love2D does is also not as good as Corona’s, but it’s easy to write a “Corona wrapper” for object creation (add an XY position to each object when it’s created and put automatic object drawing into love.update()).
In the end, I’d say…
[lua]
local function valueCheck(a, b)
if a.value == b.value then
print(“Love2D makes up for it’s quirks with pixel effects, skewing, computer apps (not just mobile), and the free price - Corona, though, is easy to use yet powerful and fast”)
end
end
local Love2D = {
value = 1000000000000
}
local CoronaSDK = {
value = 1000000000000
}
valueCheck(Love2D, CoronaSDK)
[/lua]
So there’s a comparison of a few free things vs. paid things.
- Caleb