How to make your first dithered image

If you have never used an image editor before, do not worry. This guide will walk you through making a beautiful, textured image from scratch.

Step 1: Getting your image ready

First, you need to put a photo into Bitgrain.

  1. Find a photo on your computer.
  2. Click the big "Upload Image" box on the left side of your screen.
  3. Pick your photo and click "Open".
  4. You will now see your photo in the middle of the screen. It might look a little "grainy" or "dotted"—that is normal!

Step 2: Picking a texture

At the bottom of the screen, you will see a button labeled Textures.

  1. Click it to open a small menu.
  2. Click on Dither. This is the most common look. It uses small dots to make the image look like it was printed in an old newspaper.
  3. If you want something bolder, try ASCII. This turns your photo into letters and numbers.

Step 3: Making the dots bigger or smaller

This is the most important step. Click the Adjust button at the bottom.

  1. Look for the slider labeled Resolution.
  2. If you move it to the left, the dots will get bigger and the image will look more blocky.
  3. If you move it to the right, the dots will get tiny, and the image will look more like a real photograph.
  4. Try moving it all the way to the left to see the effect, then slowly move it back until you like how it looks.

Step 4: Making the image pop

While you are still in the Adjust menu, look for Contrast.

  1. Move the slider to the right.
  2. Notice how the dark parts of your photo get darker and the white parts get brighter.
  3. Most dithered images look much better with a lot of contrast. It makes the patterns of the dots stand out.

Step 5: Choosing a pattern

Click the Algorithm button.

  1. Each of these buttons changes how the dots are placed on the screen.
  2. Atkinson usually looks very "clean" and sharp.
  3. Floyd-Steinberg is better if you want a smooth look with lots of detail.
  4. Click through each one to see which pattern fits your photo best.

Step 6: Saving your work

When you are happy with the look:

  1. Click the Export button on the far right of the bottom bar.
  2. Click the button that says PNG.
  3. Your new image will be saved to your computer!

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