Create a Dot Pixel Effect

In this tutorial, we’ll create a dot pixel effect in Affinity Photo. This effect turns images into pixels. It creates graphical 8-bit looking art similar to what you’d see on retro video games.

Before you begin, go to the following links to download the images used in the tutorial.

Woman on the stairs

Landscape

Step 1

First, go to File > Open and select the image of the woman on the stairs. Press CTRL + J to duplicate the image and turn the original picture off.

Step 2

With the duplicated image selected, go to the Filters menu. Then, go to Distort > Pixelate. Set the Quantization to 18.

Step 3

Now, go to File > New. Set the Page Width and the Page Height to 18 px. Then, set the DPI to 72.

Step 4

Grab the Flood Fill Tool from the Tools Panel and click on the document.

Step 5

Next, grab the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the Tools Panel. Press CTRL + Shift. Then, place the tool in the center and click and drag outwards to make the selection.

Step 6

Press CTRL + Shift + I to invert the selection. Then, go to the Edit menu. Select Fill with Secondary Color. Press CTRL + D to deselect.

Step 7

With the current layer still selected, go to the Layer menu and select New Pattern Layer from Selection.

Step 8

Copy the pattern layer and paste it onto the other document.

Step 9

In the Layers Panel, set the Blend Mode to Divide and lower the Opacity to 80%. Other Blend Modes you can use are Multiply, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Darker Color, Overlay, or Soft Light.

Now let’s create a dot pixel effect on a landscape image.

Step 1

Go to File > Open and select the landscape image. Press CTRL + J to duplicate the image and turn off the original image in the Layers Panel.

Step 2

Select the duplicated layer. Go to the Filters menu. Select Distort > Pixelate. Set the Quantization to 20.

Step 3

Now, go to File > New. Set the Page Width and Page Height to 20 px. Then, set the DPI to 72.

Step 4

Grab the Flood Fill Tool from the Tools Panel and click on the document. A new layer will be added.

Step 5

Next, grab the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the Tools Panel. Press CTRL + Shift. Then, take the tool and make an elliptical selection.

Step 6

After that, press CTRL + Shift + I to invert the selection. Then, go to the Edit menu. Select Fill with Secondary Color.

Step 7

Now, go to the Layers menu and select New Pattern Layer from Selection.

Step 8

Copy the pattern layer and paste it onto the other document.

Step 9

In the Layers Panel, change the Blend Mode of the pattern to Overlay. Lower the Opacity to 35%.

Congratulations, this tutorial is complete. You’ve created a dot pixel effect in Affinity Photo. For more Affinity Photo tutorials, check out this article on how to create a halftone effect.