What It Does
Pixelocybe generates mosaic blocks on a per-pixel basis, with block size determined by luminosity values. Each pixel’s brightness controls how much it distorts, creating kaleidoscopic visual effects that range from subtle distortion to full psychedelic abstraction. Works as both a standalone filter and accepts a second layer as input, letting you pipe any effect or footage into the mosaic calculation.
Key Features
Channel control. Apply the effect to luminance (all channels equally), RGB components separately, or isolate individual red, green, blue, or alpha channels. The RGB mode creates chromatic separation effects, while single-channel filtering produces selective color distortion.
Mosaic curve mapping. Controls how input luminosity translates to block size. Adjust curve type, phase offset, smoothness for blending curve endpoints, and floor value for minimum distortion. A built-in graph visualizes the mapping (except in CC2014 and earlier, and with reduced visibility in 2025’s light theme).
Multi-input pipeline. Set any layer as the intensity source while applying the effect to your current layer. Use blurred footage to drive smooth mosaic patterns, or high-contrast mattes for sharp transitions. Enable Effects & Masks on the input layer to include applied effects in the calculation.
Offset and shading. Horizontal and vertical offset parameters shift where luminosity values are read from. Shading smooths long stretches of similar brightness, applied on horizontal, vertical, or both axes.
Transparency controls. Make pixels transparent above or below specified luminosity thresholds. Phase offset adjusts where transparency starts and ends. Smoothing parameter softens the transition between opaque and transparent areas, useful for keying or organic transitions.
Curve Phase Split (RGB). When filtering RGB channels separately, add additional phase shifts to red and blue components for color separation effects.
Who It’s For
Useful for glitch artists, music video editors working with psychedelic visuals, and motion designers creating abstract transitions. The two-input system makes it practical for masking complex footage or creating mosaic effects that follow the motion of a separate tracking layer. Also works for subtle distortions, not just full-on trippy effects, depending on curve and intensity settings.
Pricing
Single purchase: $31.99. Includes perpetual license for After Effects and Premiere Pro (CS6 through 2025). Free trial available. Upgrade pricing for existing customers. Also available as floating server or render-only licenses at different price points.