Upscaling and then downscaling pixel art

[RootBound]

Just wanted to share and discuss tools and results from upscaling and downscaling low-res images or pixel art using various tools, because I've had interesting results. I was starting with a resolution of 320x180, with a target resolution of 480x270.

This is the image I started with (320x180):



I upscaled it 400% using the free AI upscale tool at https://www.iloveimg.com/upscale-image. I know there are much better upscaling algorithms out there, but this one was free and done quickly online. This is the result (1280x720):



I then downscaled it to my target resolution using MSPaint (why MSPaint's downscaling algorithm is still so good, I don't know, but I have yet to find a better one). This is the result (480x270):


Obviously the "pixelated" look is completely gone, so I used GIMP's dithering function to reduce the number of colors:


Much better, but it's obviously been indexed from a 16- or 32-bit image.

Finally I used LibreSprite's Jumble Tool to shake up the green fade a bit. This is the final version:



What do you all think of these tools/methods, and about upscaling/downscaling in general, and the use of AI to do so? The algorithm I used actually had TERRIBLE results when upscaling very very low-res assets.

Original (pretty awesome if I do say so myself  :


Upscale (SO BAD)  :


As the technology develops (I know there are already much better algorithms out there), it could be possible to have options like toggling between pixel art and high-res in the same game. What other possibilities might there be? Drawbacks? Ethical concerns? I find the whole topic pretty fascinating.

[eri0o]

About pixel art matching colors and indexing, I've used this in a few cases

https://www.pixelicious.xyz/

(ah just to future proof this message, at the time I used this, there was no login and no charges of any sort, it was purely free)

There isn't any way to import a palette of colors, so I usually either entry the palette by hand or use something close and later adjust in Aseprite.

In Aseprite there is an interesting scaling method called RotSprite that is cool for smaller sprite - it can halt the PC in very big images.

[RootBound]

That's cool! I'll have to play around with it

[AndreasBlack]

my latest discovery was how amazing and pretty simple it actually can be to rotate a sprite almost to a 3d looking level using upscaling to keep the sprites from anti-aliasing (getting blurry). I'm talking about a wheel or fan rotation, then downscaling it inside of the AGS engine to your resolution of choice! No AI involved in that tho, probably could use one tho, if i knew how to work the AI, the only AI i use atm is for my voice acting, i love it alltho some friends help out too, lended their voices and replaces some lines that sounds ass!  So they don't have to work so hard, for no cash. 

[Danvzare]

my latest discovery was how amazing and pretty simple it actually can be to rotate a sprite almost to a 3d looking level using upscaling to keep the sprites from anti-aliasing (getting blurry). I'm talking about a wheel or fan rotation, then downscaling it inside of the AGS engine to your resolution of choice! No AI involved in that tho, probably could use one tho, if i knew how to work the AI, the only AI i use atm is for my voice acting, i love it alltho some friends help out too, lended their voices and replaces some lines that sounds ass!  So they don't have to work so hard, for no cash. 

You basically just described how RotSprite works.

[AndreasBlack]

You basically just described how RotSprite works.

Just googled! Looks like a software of interest for sure. Thanks for the tip! Perhaps less work is needed in the future for me   Not that it takes that long to do it manually really, but better 5minutes then 30 minutes, i guess