What It Does
RetroDither transforms footage into retro computer graphics using dithering algorithms and hardware-accurate color palettes. It recreates the visual style of vintage systems like Commodore 64, Apple II, CGA, and ZX Spectrum.
Key Features
Custom palette support. Load any image as a color source. The plugin extracts all colors and applies them to your footage. Works with reference images or minimal color swatches. Lower resolution sources process faster.
20 color palettes. Includes adaptive palettes (similar to Photoshop’s “Save for Web”) and hardware-accurate schemes from C-64, Apple II, CGA, MSX, and ZX Spectrum that replicate actual technical limitations.
12 dithering algorithms. Error diffusion methods include Floyd-Steinberg, Jarvis-Judice, Stucki, Atkinson, Burkes, Sierra, and Stevenson-Arce. Also supports ordered dithering with Bayer matrix.
Downscaling. Reduce resolution up to 8x for a more stylized, pixelated appearance.
Threshold control. Adjust Bayer dithering behavior and manage 1-bit palette mapping.
Grayscale conversion. Converts input to grayscale before applying the color palette, mapping gray tones to palette colors for unexpected results.
Serpentine scan. Modifies error diffusion algorithms to produce varied output patterns.
GPU accelerated. Processes effects on the graphics card for better performance.
Who It’s For
Motion designers creating ditherpunk aesthetics or retro gaming content. Useful for music videos, title sequences, and projects requiring authentic 8-bit or 16-bit visual styles.
Pricing
RetroDither uses pay-what-you-want pricing (minimum purchase applies). The developer suggests $49.99 as the standard price.