{"slug": "show-hn-picxel-turn-reference-images-into-pixel-art-game-assets", "title": "Show HN: Picxel – Turn reference images into pixel-art game assets", "summary": "See-Sol-Lab released Picxel, an open-source Codex skill that turns reference images into transparent pixel-art game assets at 32×32, 64×64, or 128×128 PNGs with up to 16 colors per sprite. Picxel uses GPT-6 Astra in a Codex session with image-generation tools plus Python 3.10+ to interpret a subject and direct the redraw, while local algorithms snap the result to a precise pixel grid; it supports single-image previews or batches of up to 20 images in English or Chinese panels. The tool requires no separate API key, using the Codex session's own tools and quota.", "body_md": "**English** · [中文](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/blob/main/README.zh.md)\n\n**Turn reference images into pixel-art game assets.**\n\nPicxel helps indie game developers redraw references as recognizable game assets. GPT interprets the subject and directs the redraw; local algorithms turn the result into a precise pixel grid. Developed and tested primarily with GPT-6 Astra in Codex.\n\nExport transparent **32×32, 64×64 or 128×128 PNGs**, with up to 16 colors per sprite. Use single-image reveal previews or batches of up to 20 images, in an English or Chinese panel.\n\n**[Watch the demo · 2:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKvPYOulPvI)** — From reference selection to transparent PNGs: a horse, followed by a two-image batch. Includes English subtitles and narration.\n\nYou need a **Codex session with image-generation tools** and Python 3.10+. Picxel uses that session's tools and quota; it does not require a separate API key.\n\n1. Ask Codex: **“Install Picxel from [https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel) and follow its SKILL.md to complete setup.”** It should install the skill through the host's skill installer, prepare dependencies and show the panel.\n2. Once installed, ask for your assets: **“Use $picxel to turn these references into game sprites.”** Picxel's first step is to prepare and open the panel automatically. You do not need a separate request to open it.\n3. Choose images, an output folder and sizes; say **“Start with the panel settings.”** If you already supplied those choices in chat, the assistant can fill them in for you.\n\nClick **Open finished images** to collect the concepts and PNGs. A batch uses one source folder; add images together or one at a time. Installing files alone does not run an idle assistant: setup or an asset request activates the workflow.\n\nAlready downloaded the repository? Open its folder in Codex and ask to create pixel-art assets; the project instructions route the assistant to the same workflow. If a newly installed skill is not listed, restart the Codex session. See [Codex skill discovery](https://developers.openai.com/codex/skills/).\n\n``` php\nflowchart LR\n    A[Reference images] --> B[Read and plan]\n    B --> C[Image-tool redraw]\n    C --> D[Palette and pixel grid]\n    D --> E[Review and touch up]\n    E --> F[Transparent PNGs]\n```\n\nThe skill coordinates the work. The image-processing code and targeted drawing rules improve specific stages:\n\n| Stage | What Picxel improves | \n|---|---|\n| Before redrawing | A short keep/drop plan protects identity, pose and important details. Regional simplification reduces distracting texture when a preparation image is needed. | \n| Background removal | Preserves real alpha. With an explicitly chosen key color, removes that background and narrowly cleans matching edge spill while protecting dark outlines. | \n| Palette selection | Counts source colors at full resolution and compares perceived color differences in Oklab. Important regions get more weight; transparent pixels and uncertain edges get less. Selected colors come from the image. | \n| Pixel conversion | Pads the visible silhouette and snaps colors before voting within each grid cell. Similar shades vote together; transparent coverage is counted separately, reducing broken shapes and color noise. | \n| Local cleanup and faces | Merges close-colored specks while retaining high-contrast details. For complex faces, the assistant checks gaze and expression and applies constrained eye/mouth patches only when needed; eyebrows remain intact. | \n| Efficient finishing | One concept and palette serve all requested sizes. Shared decoding and a combined review sheet reduce repeated work; only observed defects are repaired. | \n\nFace interpretation is the assistant's visual judgment, not an automatic face detector. Grid alignment experiments are not enabled. You decide whether the final art fits your game.\n\nDetails: [assistant workflow](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/blob/main/SKILL.md) · [technical specification](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/blob/main/SPEC.md) · [optional ComfyUI import/export nodes](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/blob/main/comfyui/README.md).\n\n[Issues](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/issues) and [PRs](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/pulls) are welcome. Include reproduction steps, target sizes and comparison images you can share publicly.\n\nProject code is licensed under [GPL-3.0-only](https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel/blob/main/LICENSE). Generated images do not become GPL-covered merely because you use this tool; commercial use still depends on the rights to your inputs and the image provider's terms.\n\nCopyright © 2026 See-Sol-Lab contributors.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-picxel-turn-reference-images-into-pixel-art-game-assets", "canonical_source": "https://github.com/See-Sol-Lab/Picxel", "published_at": "2026-09-16 13:02:02+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-09-16 13:14:41.113011+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-tools", "generative-ai", "ai-products", "developer-tools"], "entities": ["Picxel", "See-Sol-Lab", "GPT-6 Astra", "Codex", "Python 3.10+"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-picxel-turn-reference-images-into-pixel-art-game-assets", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-picxel-turn-reference-images-into-pixel-art-game-assets.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-picxel-turn-reference-images-into-pixel-art-game-assets.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-picxel-turn-reference-images-into-pixel-art-game-assets.jsonld"}}