Zephyr

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Score6.5

Rank#5 of 45

Free planNo

Runs onLinux, macOS, Web, Windows

Summary

Zephyr is a free texture packer and sprite editor for 2D games, with tools for organizing sprites, defining animations, and exporting atlas assets. Sprites can be arranged in a tree, packed into an atlas, and given pivots and editable rectangle, circle, or polygon hitboxes. Atlas packing offers Shelf and MaxRects algorithms, configurable padding, and a maximum texture size; the preview updates in real time. Animation setup uses a frame timeline with per-frame delays, looping, and Forward, Reverse, or PingPong playback. Export creates a packed texture plus JSON metadata containing sprite locations, pivots, hitboxes, and animation information. A project is saved in one .zephyr file, but its source images are referenced by relative paths and must stay alongside it. Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, including Windows and Linux ARM64 archives, for version 0.2.1. The maker says to extract the archive and run the executable, without installation. The source code uses the MIT License; artwork and mascot rights are reserved separately.

Who it is for

Zephyr suits 2D game creators who need to pack sprite atlases, edit hitboxes, and define animations. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What is good

Supports Shelf and MaxRects atlas packing.
Hitboxes can be edited with interactive handles.
Animations support delays, looping, and three playback modes.
Exports atlas textures with JSON metadata.
Archives can be run without installation.

What to know first

Source images must remain alongside the project file.
Listed downloads are version 0.2.1.
Artwork and mascot rights are reserved separately.

Verdict

Zephyr brings atlas packing, sprite hitbox editing, animation setup, and metadata export into one tool. Keep its relative-path requirement in mind when moving project files.

Zephyr plans and pricing

All plans

Name your own price Not published downloadable tool · Windows and Linux listed under platforms · macOS binaries also listed for download aristurtledev.itch.io · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on test management software

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Animation type: 2dgithub.com
Sprite-sheet export: Yesgithub.com
Game engine integration: Yesgithub.com
Export formats: PNG, JPG, BMPgithub.com
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: Zephyr is a texture packer and sprite editor with animation support for 2D games.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Sprite workflow: It organizes sprites in a tree, packs them into an atlas, supports per-sprite pivots and hitboxes, defines animations, and exports a texture with JSON metadata.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Atlas packing: It offers Shelf and MaxRects packing algorithms, configurable padding, and a maximum texture size, with the atlas updating in real time.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Sprite hitboxes: Sprites can have Rectangle, Circle, or Polygon hitboxes whose shapes and positions are editable with interactive handles.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Animation: Animations use a frame timeline with per-frame delays and Forward, Reverse, or PingPong playback, and can loop.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Export: Export writes a packed atlas texture and JSON metadata containing sprite positions, pivot points, hitboxes, and animations.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Project files: Projects are saved as one .zephyr file, while source images are referenced by paths relative to that file and need to remain alongside it.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Downloads: The download page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux archives for version 0.2.1, including Windows and Linux ARM64 builds.aristurtledev.itch.io · 30 Sept 2026
Installation: The maker says to extract the platform archive and run the executable, with no installation required.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Source license: The source code is licensed under the MIT License; the artwork and mascot are separately reserved by the copyright holder.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Maker: The project credits Christopher Whitley (AristurtleDev) as its copyright holder and Aristurtle as its itch.io author.aristurtledev.itch.io · 30 Sept 2026
Security: The repository links a GitHub security policy, but the opened page does not provide security or compliance details.github.com · 30 Sept 2026