Is there a better image editor than mtpaint?

[The Reaver of Darkness]

I've been using mtpaint for editing images and sprites, but it bothers me that it has a very arcane functionality with selections and also lacks tools for drawing. All it has is the pixel tool and the fill tool. But I haven't been able to use normal image editors because they don't respect the image file's color palette.

I've heard some people use Photoshop or GIMP for these, but I don't know how they get the program to confine you to the palette. I have GIMP already and it would be a pretty big upgrade over mtpaint if I could get it to work, although it also has a very arcane functionality with selections.

People have recommended Aseprite, and that one looks very good, however it costs money and I can't afford it. I don't want just a trial version that will expire after a short time. I need something I can use in the long term.

What do you guys use? Can you give me some pointers?

[Hobbes]

I've heard some people use Photoshop or GIMP for these, but I don't know how they get the program to confine you to the palette. I have GIMP already and it would be a pretty big upgrade over mtpaint if I could get it to work, although it also has a very arcane functionality with selections.

I edit images with GIMP then I use Grafx2 to convert the image to the proper palette. There's a thread somewhere on the forums explaining exactly how to do this with Grafx2

[Warboy1982]

https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,2676.0.html

[The Reaver of Darkness]

Thank you! I will direct my comments and questions to that thread.

[Solarius Scorch]

To respond to your original question: Photoshop respects palettes. If you open a paletted image, PS will keep it, unless you specifically tell it to switch to RPG or CMYK. And even if you do, you can always go back by converting the image to the right palette - you just need this palette saved as a file.