Hi, I'm new to xna and I wana startof by makeing 2D games, but I dont know what 2D graphics programs are good (I tried microsoft paint and that faild big time) It would also be good if they where free because i'm a little low on cash right now.

Why did Microsoft Paint fail?

You can try Paint.NET.

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Jim Welch

It faild because when i tried a quick drawing I made it included the white border around the sprite so it looked like a white square with a happy face in it :p

and thanks for the link, i'll give it a try

For free drawing apps, you'd be hard pressed to beat gimp: http://www.gimp.org

You can download the windows builds on this page: http://www.gimp.org/windows/

If you have previous experience with adobe photoshop, there is a modified version of gimp that emulates much of the photoshop UI. You can find it here:
http://www.gimpshop.com/download.shtml

Hope this helps,
Ryan

For all parts of a sprite that you want to keep transparent, you might also want to try using the magenta color.  It's not a default color in MS Paint but it's easy enough to get to.  This is probably the easiest way go about what you're looking for.

Magenta is a default color in Paint, at least in my color box.

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Jim Perry
Here's what I'm up to.

Machaira:

Magenta is a default color in Paint, at least in my color box.

Best. Screenshot. Ever.

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Nick Gravelyn -- Microsoft XNA MVP
XNA Wiki | EasyZip | EasyConfig

NOW it's the best evar! :D Might have to kill your cache to see the new version.

 

Phear my mad graphical skillz!

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Jim Perry
Here's what I'm up to.

I am probably going to be laughed off the board for this but ....

I still use dpaint anim.

Only works in 320 by 200, 256 colours, DOS, but has the best set of tools for drawing animated sprites I have ever seen.

It's probably on abandonware somewhere, you can convert LBM files with lots of tools, i use xnview.

 

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