DitheronParameters
Adjustments
Pre-dither image controls — brightness, contrast, saturation, gamma, and downscale.
Adjustments
These controls are applied before the dithering engine processes the image. They shape what goes into the dither, which dramatically affects the output.
Controls
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness | Float-100% to +100% | 0% | Shifts the overall brightness. Push it up to reveal detail in shadows before dithering, or down for a moodier input. |
| Contrast | Float0% - 300% | 100% | Expands or compresses the tonal range. Higher contrast = more defined dither patterns. Lower = smoother, more blended. |
| Saturation | Float0% - 200% | 100% | Color intensity of the input image. Set to 0% for monochrome dithering even without a palette. |
| Gamma | Float0.1 - 3.0 | 1.0 | Midtone brightness curve. Below 1.0 darkens midtones, above 1.0 brightens them. Useful for controlling where dither patterns appear in the tonal range. |
| Invert | Toggle | Off | Flip the image to a negative before dithering. Creates a completely different pattern since the dither engine sees reversed brightness. |
| Downscale | ChoiceOff, 720p, 480p, 360p, 240p, 160p, 128p, 96p, 64p, 48p, 32p | Off | Reduce the working resolution before dithering, then scale back up. Creates a chunky, low-res pixel art look. |
Why Pre-Dither Adjustments Matter
Dithering is a conversion process — it translates continuous tones into a limited set of values. The input determines the output:
- Higher contrast input creates bolder, more defined dither patterns with clear light/dark separation
- Lower contrast input creates softer, more gradient-like dithering
- Brightness controls which parts of the image cross the dither thresholds — shifting it can reveal or hide detail in shadows and highlights
- Gamma is your precision tool for placing dither patterns exactly where you want them in the tonal range
Downscale
Downscale reduces the image resolution before dithering, then scales it back up to full resolution. The result is a chunky, mosaic-like pixel art look.
| Setting | Look |
|---|---|
| Off | Full resolution dithering |
| 720p - 480p | Subtle softening. Good for broadcast-style grain. |
| 360p - 240p | Visible pixels. Retro video game territory. |
| 160p - 96p | Chunky. Early console aesthetic. |
| 64p - 32p | Extreme. Each pixel covers a large area. Abstract, graphic. |
Downscale combines powerfully with Scale in the Dither section. Try Downscale 240p + Bayer 4x4 + Scale 2 for a classic Game Boy look.
Tips
- Contrast 150-200% before a Bayer dither makes patterns really pop — great for graphic design looks
- Saturation 0% is the quickest way to get monochrome dithering without changing your palette
- Invert before a Scatteral algorithm creates haunting, solarized textures
- Gamma 0.5 pushes most of the image into shadow territory — the dither pattern concentrates in the highlights only