Drawing single pixels (pixelart) in Image Paint Mode is impossible #71403

New Issue

gobb_blend · 2019-11-07T11:45:45+01:00

gobb_blend commented

2019-11-07 11:45:45 +01:00

System Information
Operating system: Windows-10-10.0.17763 64 Bits
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 1070/PCIe/SSE2 NVIDIA Corporation 4.5.0 NVIDIA 430.86

Blender Version
Broken: version: 2.81 (sub 16), branch: master, commit date: 2019-11-06 20:48, hash: 85637311c2
Worked: (optional)

Short description of error
Drawing pixel art in Blender (i.e. unsmoothed single pixels) has become impossible ever since the sub-pixel precision update for the image paint brush.
The ["Option to turn off anti-aliasing" ]] commit and [ https:*developer.blender.org/rBa58c1d4497db73b2480bcc31dec0aa1ca98a3880 | "Fix 2D paint antialiasing offset" commit did not fix this.
@PabloDobarro
You're going to want to have a look at this.

Exact steps for others to reproduce the error
Create a texture of any size. Turn off anti-aliasing in the Brush settings and paint with a brush radius of 1. Neither is it possible to draw single pixels, nor can you draw lines with a width of 1 pixel.
Using the "Constant" falloff preset, the result is this:

Any of the other non-constant falloffs will produce anti-aliased pixels despite anti-aliasing being turned off:

This is the expected result you should be getting, regardless of the falloff curve:

Note
Also, apart from this bug, I believe the Falloff options should vanish from the menus completely when brush anti-aliasing is turned off, since they no longer have a purpose. The falloff must always be that of the "Constant" preset.

**System Information** Operating system: Windows-10-10.0.17763 64 Bits Graphics card: GeForce GTX 1070/PCIe/SSE2 NVIDIA Corporation 4.5.0 NVIDIA 430.86 **Blender Version** Broken: version: 2.81 (sub 16), branch: master, commit date: 2019-11-06 20:48, hash: `85637311c2` Worked: (optional) **Short description of error** Drawing pixel art in Blender (i.e. unsmoothed single pixels) has become impossible ever since the sub-pixel precision update for the image paint brush. The ["Option to turn off anti-aliasing" ]] commit and [[ https:*developer.blender.org/rBa58c1d4497db73b2480bcc31dec0aa1ca98a3880 | "Fix 2D paint antialiasing offset" ](https:*developer.blender.org/rBcd827194f7cc771e9947d474ba0e7c4ae2a2aa9a) commit did not fix this. @PabloDobarro You're going to want to have a look at this. **Exact steps for others to reproduce the error** Create a texture of any size. Turn off anti-aliasing in the Brush settings and paint with a brush radius of 1. Neither is it possible to draw single pixels, nor can you draw lines with a width of 1 pixel. Using the "Constant" falloff preset, the result is this: ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F7972929/image.png) Any of the other non-constant falloffs will produce anti-aliased pixels despite anti-aliasing being turned off: ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F7972933/image.png) This is the expected result you should be getting, regardless of the falloff curve: ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F7972937/image.png) **Note** Also, apart from this bug, I believe the Falloff options should vanish from the menus completely when brush anti-aliasing is turned off, since they no longer have a purpose. The falloff must always be that of the "Constant" preset.

gobb_blend commented

2019-11-07 11:45:45 +01:00

Added subscribers: @PabloDobarro, @gobb_blend

blender-admin commented

2019-11-07 11:45:45 +01:00

#81693 was marked as duplicate of this issue

Philipp Oeser commented

2019-11-07 12:05:32 +01:00

Added subscriber: @lichtwerk

Philipp Oeser commented

2019-11-07 12:05:32 +01:00

Can confirm this has changed and single pixel drawing is not possible atm.

Demeter Dzadik commented

2019-11-07 16:56:30 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Mets

Pablo Dobarro commented

2019-11-07 17:27:00 +01:00

I think that the AA and mask generation code is correct. The brush is filling with 100% strength all pixels which center (1 AA sample per pixel) is inside the brush radius.
2019-11-07 17-20-05.mp4
The problem is that with a 1px radius, you get 2px diameter, so you are always going to paint 2px at the same time. This was not noticeable in the previous mask generation implementation because it was clamped by a 1x1 mask size. To solve this properly, we just need to support values smaller than 1px in the UI, the rest of the texture paint code (at least 2D paint) already supports it (if you enable pressure sensitivity in the radius it will paint with radius smaller than 1px and it works).

If we do a huge hack like P1154, it will work as expected, but this needs to be fixed at a UI level.
2019-11-07 17-29-08.mp4

I just checked the code and the brush size is an int, so it will require some refactoring.

I think that the AA and mask generation code is correct. The brush is filling with 100% strength all pixels which center (1 AA sample per pixel) is inside the brush radius. [2019-11-07 17-20-05.mp4](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F7976213/2019-11-07_17-20-05.mp4) The problem is that with a 1px radius, you get 2px diameter, so you are always going to paint 2px at the same time. This was not noticeable in the previous mask generation implementation because it was clamped by a 1x1 mask size. To solve this properly, we just need to support values smaller than 1px in the UI, the rest of the texture paint code (at least 2D paint) already supports it (if you enable pressure sensitivity in the radius it will paint with radius smaller than 1px and it works). If we do a huge hack like [P1154](https://archive.blender.org/developer/P1154.txt), it will work as expected, but this needs to be fixed at a UI level. [2019-11-07 17-29-08.mp4](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F7976276/2019-11-07_17-29-08.mp4) I just checked the code and the brush size is an int, so it will require some refactoring.

gobb_blend commented

2019-11-07 18:48:06 +01:00

I guess being able to set the Radius to a minimum value of 0.5 would be an okay solution for now.

Too bad this won't be finished in time for 2.81. Some artists won't have a stable version to work with for a couple of months then if you go the serious refactoring route (which I agree you eventually should).

One more thing:
What's weird about this is that every drawing software with the exception of Blender defines brush size by diameter (usually called "Size" for simplicity). Artists are always going to expect to be able to draw single pixels after inputting a "1" into the corresponding UI field.
I don't assume that this is ever going to change, and Blender is ever going to define brush size by diameter instead of radius...

I guess being able to set the Radius to a minimum value of 0.5 would be an okay solution for now. Too bad this won't be finished in time for 2.81. Some artists won't have a stable version to work with for a couple of months then if you go the serious refactoring route (which I agree you eventually should). One more thing: What's weird about this is that every drawing software with the exception of Blender defines brush size by diameter (usually called "Size" for simplicity). Artists are always going to expect to be able to draw single pixels after inputting a "1" into the corresponding UI field. I don't assume that this is ever going to change, and Blender is ever going to define brush size by diameter instead of radius...

Pablo Dobarro commented

2019-12-24 00:58:00 +01:00

Changed status from 'Confirmed' to: 'Archived'

Pablo Dobarro closed this issue

2019-12-24 00:58:00 +01:00

Pablo Dobarro self-assigned this 2019-12-24 00:58:00 +01:00

Pablo Dobarro commented

2019-12-24 00:58:00 +01:00

The current implementation is correct. A 1px radius is 2px diameter, so it paints two pixels at the same time.
I know that this makes impossible to paint pixel art. That is properly fixed in D6209, but I still need to check that patch again to see if it breaks things in some other paint modes, as it is quite a big change that may affect some areas that I'm not aware of.

The current implementation is correct. A 1px radius is 2px diameter, so it paints two pixels at the same time. I know that this makes impossible to paint pixel art. That is properly fixed in [D6209](https://archive.blender.org/developer/D6209), but I still need to check that patch again to see if it breaks things in some other paint modes, as it is quite a big change that may affect some areas that I'm not aware of.

Alfred Reinold Baudisch commented

2020-02-23 12:51:40 +01:00

Added subscriber: @alfredbaudisch

Peter Hindes commented

2020-05-10 19:48:39 +02:00

Added subscriber: @PeterHIndes

Peter Hindes commented

2020-05-10 19:48:39 +02:00

yes the 1px radius is a pain. maybe defining it in terms of diameter would fix this without needing a float. The values could be converted behind the scenes or just shown as diameter. We could also just get a pencil tool like some other programs have. Or maybe just a default brush setup as a pencil.

Qarl Qubicle commented

2020-05-20 18:29:40 +02:00

Added subscriber: @officeqube

Pedro Araujo commented

2020-06-02 02:11:39 +02:00

Added subscriber: @TheZakMan

Pedro Araujo commented

2020-06-02 02:11:39 +02:00

Did this get solved?
Will we be able to paint 1px again?
And why not use size like all other artistc programs out there insted of diameter?

Did this get solved? Will we be able to paint 1px again? And why not use size like all other artistc programs out there insted of diameter?

Peter Hindes commented

2020-06-02 05:00:01 +02:00

Size is diameter. No confusion intended.

Pedro Araujo commented

2020-06-04 07:40:19 +02:00

I was hoping that 2.83 would fix the 1px problem for us that love to paint pixel textures :(

I was hoping that 2.83 would fix the **1px** problem for us that love to paint pixel textures :( ![super_sad_no_1px.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F8575765/super_sad_no_1px.png)

Demeter Dzadik commented

2020-06-04 11:22:37 +02:00

Changed status from 'Archived' to: 'Needs Triage'

Demeter Dzadik reopened this issue

2020-06-04 11:22:37 +02:00

Demeter Dzadik commented

2020-06-04 11:22:37 +02:00

Added subscriber: @dfelinto

Demeter Dzadik commented

2020-06-04 11:22:37 +02:00

I guess if this wasn't resolved like it was expected, at the very least it should be re-opened so a developer can comment again. Messaging was also a bit confusing to me, with "it's working as expected" and "it will be fixed" in the same comment. To me this also seems like a regression, so shouldn't it be a high priority issue?

CC @PabloDobarro @dfelinto

I guess if this wasn't resolved like it was expected, at the very least it should be re-opened so a developer can comment again. Messaging was also a bit confusing to me, with "it's working as expected" and "it will be fixed" in the same comment. To me this also seems like a regression, so shouldn't it be a high priority issue? CC @PabloDobarro @dfelinto

Germano Cavalcante commented

2020-06-05 20:27:06 +02:00

Added subscriber: @mano-wii

Germano Cavalcante commented

2020-06-05 20:27:06 +02:00

Changed status from 'Needs Triage' to: 'Confirmed'

Germano Cavalcante commented

2020-06-05 20:27:06 +02:00

From what I can see in the comments, this was closed because it works as intended.
Apparently the smallest possible brush diameter is currently 2px (1px radius).
D6209 seems to be a proposal to resolve this limitation.

From what I can see in the comments, this was closed because it works as intended. Apparently the smallest possible brush diameter is currently 2px (1px radius). [D6209](https://archive.blender.org/developer/D6209) seems to be a proposal to resolve this limitation.

Pablo Dobarro commented

2020-10-14 03:01:27 +02:00

Added subscribers: @JanKaderabek, @TheRedWaxPolice

Pedro Araujo commented

2020-10-14 04:53:16 +02:00

Any news on this?

Jan Kadeřábek commented

2020-10-14 11:58:23 +02:00

In #71403#837239, @PabloDobarro wrote:
The current implementation is correct. A 1px radius is 2px diameter, so it paints two pixels at the same time.

But why 2.79 is drawing 1 pixel with 1px radius brush then?

Our team is currently working on a complex game exporter / importer integrated into Blender and we need to let user to paint single pixels on 16x16px image to create a physics maps, so this is an absolutely critical feature for us.
We didn't expect such simple task to be problem for Blender, is there any chance the fix D6209 can make it to the official build?
Thank you!

> In #71403#837239, @PabloDobarro wrote: > The current implementation is correct. A 1px radius is 2px diameter, so it paints two pixels at the same time. But why 2.79 is drawing 1 pixel with 1px radius brush then? Our team is currently working on a complex game exporter / importer integrated into Blender and we need to let user to paint single pixels on 16x16px image to create a physics maps, so this is an absolutely critical feature for us. We didn't expect such simple task to be problem for Blender, is there any chance the fix [D6209](https://archive.blender.org/developer/D6209) can make it to the official build? Thank you!

gobb_blend commented

2020-10-14 20:36:39 +02:00

I'm also dying to see this get fixed. I am thinking about this literally every single day at work.
Had to put two game projects completely on hold because of this issue caused by Pablo Dobarro's subpixel drawing feature.

Regarding the fix, instead of the brush radius becoming a float all over Blender, just so we can have a 0.5 pixel brush, I would very much prefer if we'd measure the brush in diameter like every other graphics software out there.
No artist wants to do math when choosing a brush size. 1 in the UI means "one pixel". Not two. Not a 2x2 square.

I'm also dying to see this get fixed. I am thinking about this literally every single day at work. Had to put two game projects completely on hold because of this issue caused by Pablo Dobarro's subpixel drawing feature. Regarding the fix, instead of the brush radius becoming a float all over Blender, just so we can have a 0.5 pixel brush, I would very much prefer if we'd measure the brush in diameter like every other graphics software out there. No artist wants to do math when choosing a brush size. 1 in the UI means "one pixel". Not two. Not a 2x2 square.

Ted Milker commented

2020-11-11 21:44:28 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Teds

gobb_blend commented

2021-01-09 18:09:39 +01:00

Hey developers. I know there's no point in telling you this, because you're busy enough as it is, and there's already a schedule for everything -- but several months have now passed, and I feel compelled to remind you that this is not a minor issue, and there are people out there literally counting the days until you resolve it.
Fingers crossed for Blender 3.0. Blender should be the go-to software for all things low poly / PSX style. Please allow pixel artists to finally make the switch from 18-months-old Blender 2.80 to the latest release. That would be great. Best of luck.

Hey developers. I know there's no point in telling you this, because you're busy enough as it is, and there's already a schedule for everything -- but several months have now passed, and I feel compelled to remind you that this is not a minor issue, and there are people out there literally counting the days until you resolve it. Fingers crossed for **Blender 3.0**. Blender should be **the** go-to software for all things low poly / PSX style. Please allow pixel artists to finally make the switch from 18-months-old Blender 2.80 to the latest release. That would be great. Best of luck.

Cam commented

2021-01-13 07:19:33 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Ortho_Cam

Cam commented

2021-01-13 07:19:33 +01:00

For anyone waiting, couldn't you get by painting at 2x2 pixels and scaling down by half when done? https://youtu.be/RQVAUaSUP-k?t=1075 might help too.

gobb_blend commented

2021-01-13 15:41:25 +01:00

@Ortho_Cam
No, drawing at a radius of 1 with constant falloff and no anti-aliasing will leave you with dots that look like this:
There's no way to predict what this will look like when scaled down. And why even go through all this hassle when the best option is still to simply use Blender 2.80?
On top of that, drawing is insanely laggy in Blender 2.91 for some reason. It must be some kind of regression. I didn't look into it.
So, it's currently either back to 2.80 (like the person in your video), or no pixel-perfect painting at all.

Until "radius" is finally changed to the much more usable "size" AKA diameter (in pixels), as it is in virtually any other professional application. (Photoshop, Krita, ClipStudioPaint, SubstancePainter, zBrush, Mudbox, the list goes on.)

@Ortho_Cam No, drawing at a radius of 1 with constant falloff and no anti-aliasing will leave you with dots that look like this: ![grafik.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F9577329/grafik.png) There's no way to predict what this will look like when scaled down. And why even go through all this hassle when the best option is still to simply use Blender 2.80? On top of that, drawing is insanely laggy in Blender 2.91 for some reason. It must be some kind of regression. I didn't look into it. So, it's currently either back to 2.80 (like the person in your video), or no pixel-perfect painting at all. Until "radius" is finally changed to the much more usable "size" AKA diameter (in pixels), as it is in virtually any other professional application. (Photoshop, Krita, ClipStudioPaint, SubstancePainter, zBrush, Mudbox, the list goes on.)

Trung Phạm commented

2021-01-28 16:34:16 +01:00

Added subscriber: @zNight

Ben Hopkins commented

2021-02-06 23:08:16 +01:00

Added subscriber: @benhhopkins

Doeke de Wolf commented

2021-02-17 13:05:56 +01:00

Added subscriber: @DoekedeWolf

Fabio Corona commented

2021-02-22 21:30:40 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Bad.Unit

Fabio Corona commented

2021-02-22 21:30:40 +01:00

Hello, i want to subscribe to this issue because yeah it should definitely need to fix... with 1px radius, no AA, constant falloff brush paint chunks of 2/3/4 pixels, and for pixel art this is not good. Workaround at the moment exists, like addons, downscaling, or use external editors like Krita or Aseprite, but this should be a normal in blender too working on a single pixel, i think this issue don't need to have a low severity even if is not a breaking bug, but should gave more attention to fix in the upcoming releases, thanks dev for all the efforts!

Peter commented

2021-03-15 11:11:26 +01:00

Added subscriber: @peter_hutsul

Peter commented

2021-03-15 11:11:26 +01:00

You can find solution here
https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/198544/how-to-texture-paint-individual-pixels

You can find solution here https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/198544/how-to-texture-paint-individual-pixels

Peter commented

2021-03-15 11:11:45 +01:00

![blender-pixel-draw.gif](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F9892459/blender-pixel-draw.gif)

gobb_blend commented

2021-03-15 11:40:25 +01:00

In #71403#1129659, @peter_hutsul wrote:
You can find solution here
https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/198544/how-to-texture-paint-individual-pixels

No, that information is false. It has been addressed already.
With that kind of brush setup, Blender will often not draw a pixel, or draw two/three at once, or draw the pixels slightly less opaque than they should be. There is no sweet spot that acts like an actual pixel perfect brush.

Pablo Dobarro has already acknowledged that turning "radius" into "diameter" for all brushes is the way to go. https://developer.blender.org/D6209#252648
It will likely be worked on in a few months, whenever he's done with sculpt mode.
Until then, it's back to Blender 2.8.

> In #71403#1129659, @peter_hutsul wrote: > You can find solution here > https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/198544/how-to-texture-paint-individual-pixels No, that information is false. It has been addressed already. With that kind of brush setup, Blender will often not draw a pixel, or draw two/three at once, or draw the pixels slightly less opaque than they should be. There is no sweet spot that acts like an actual pixel perfect brush. Pablo Dobarro has already acknowledged that turning "radius" into "diameter" for all brushes is the way to go. https://developer.blender.org/D6209#252648 It will likely be worked on in a few months, whenever he's done with sculpt mode. Until then, it's back to Blender 2.8.

recatek commented

2021-04-21 06:00:45 +02:00

Added subscriber: @recatek

Reslav Hollos commented

2022-01-06 22:25:57 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Radivarig

Doug Cox commented

2022-02-04 20:22:21 +01:00

Added subscriber: @ziflin

recatek commented

2022-03-18 05:59:49 +01:00

Would love to be able to do 3D pixel art models directly in more recent versions of Blender, especially with all of the exciting upcoming texture painting improvements (layers, etc.). Currently it's nearly impossible without external tools.

Andy Cuccaro commented

2022-05-04 03:30:21 +02:00

Added subscriber: @AndyCuccaro

Juanfran Matheu commented

2022-06-04 12:29:49 +02:00

Added subscriber: @jfmatheu

Philipp Oeser removed the

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Drawing single pixels (pixelart) in Image Paint Mode is impossible #71403