Tomodachi Life Pixel Art Maker
Convert any image into Tomodachi Life pixel art for the in-game Palette House. Upload a file or paste an image URL, pick a style, choose your dithering algorithm, and see the result side-by-side with the original. Export the pixel art, a side-by-side compare, or a printable recipe card — and copy a share link that opens with the same settings.
1 · Source image
Drop a PNG / JPG here
Or click to browse
No image? → Try the demo gradient
2 · Pick a style
Detailed = 64×64 grid · Balanced = 32×32 · Retro = 16×16 · Chunky = 8×8
3 · Dithering algorithm
4 · Adjustments
Side-by-side compare
Your pixel art preview appears here
Upload an image on the left, or click Try the demo gradient to test the dithering algorithms.
Output specs
Upload an image to see the output.
Two tools, two workflows
Both convert images for the Palette House. The Pixel Art Maker is about aesthetic control — multiple algorithms, side-by-side preview, photo-friendly. The Grid Maker is about painting accuracy — recipe card, brush mapping, paint-by-numbers.
Side-by-side compare
See original and pixel art at the same scale — pick the algorithm that preserves what matters in your image.
Four dithering algorithms
None, Floyd–Steinberg, Atkinson, Bayer 4×4 — try each to find what suits your source material.
Edge enhancement
Sharpen photos before quantisation for crisper shapes at low resolution.
Printable recipe card
Export a sheet with the pixel art, brush size, grid annotations, and the dither settings — print it and follow cell-by-cell.
Shareable links
Copy a URL that encodes your style, dither, adjustments, and image source. Anyone who opens it sees the same result.
Which dithering algorithm should I pick?
Each algorithm trades off in a different direction. Match the algorithm to your source — flat-colour logos need different treatment from photos.
The full pixel-art-to-Palette-House workflow
Five steps. Most designs go from upload to first paint stroke in under five minutes.
- Upload or paste a URL. Drag any PNG/JPG into the dropzone, or paste a direct image URL. Pinterest, Wikipedia, and most image hosts work — there's a CORS proxy fallback for the rest.
- Pick the right style preset. Detailed for faces and logos with fine work, Balanced for most designs, Retro/Chunky for icons. The preset sets the cell grid (64/32/16/8) and the brush you'll use in-game (4/8/16/32 px).
- Choose a dithering algorithm. See the picker above. Tweak Brightness / Contrast / Saturation if the colours feel off; toggle Edge Enhance for photographic input.
- Export a recipe card. Click "Print recipe card" — you get a single PNG with the pixel art, grid lines every 8 cells, the exact brush + dither settings, and a clean print margin.
- Paint cell-by-cell in-game. Open the Palette House, pick the brush listed on the recipe, set in-game Grid view to 8×8 for the densest reference lines, and follow the printed card.
Make pixel art for…
Category guides with recommended settings, source tips, and example workflows.
Anime & character art
Detailed + Atkinson · flat-shaded references work best
Sanrio characters
Balanced + None · Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody
Pokémon sprites
Detailed + None · official sprites already pixel art
Food & bento
Balanced + Atkinson · sushi, cakes, drinks, snacks
Logos & text
Retro + None · clean flat colour, sharp edges
Photos & selfies
Detailed + F–S + edge enhance · for faces, scenes
QR-code style
Retro + Bayer · graphic mosaic look
Pixel Art Maker · FAQ
How style presets, dithering, sharing, and URL upload work.