Paint Mode: Pixel Brush Tool #98607

New Issue

Juanfran Matheu · 2022-06-05T10:50:42+02:00

Juanfran Matheu commented

2022-06-05 10:50:42 +02:00

This task design is about adding a pixel brush tool as a potential solution to the current limitation in texture paint mode to not being able to paint textures in a pixel art style not even able to paint single pixels.

Before looking into this solution let's check anothe non-pixel-brush-tool alternative and see the pros and cons of each one so we reach a conclusion.
Feedback and new ideas are welcome!

SOLUTION 1 - REFACTOR and EXTRA ADDITIONS:

Replacing current brush radius (which is strange IMHO) to brush size. This will make possible to have brushes with 1px size (diameter) to paint single pixels.
Add alternative squared paint cursor display over cursor settings to have a better feedback.
Add AA toggle as a unified paint setting to make possible paint in pixel art with any brush and size.
Add pixel grid overlay in the overlays panel.

CONS:

Cursor isn't aligned with pixel grid.
So much options user have to configure before doing pixel art. (cursor, AA, pixel grid...)

SOLUTION 2 - PIXEL BRUSH TOOL:

To have a dedicated pixel brush tool independent from current paint brush. This tool will behave differently.
To paint single pixels and blocks/chunks of 2x2, 4x4, ... pixels.
To paint pixel art patterns and gradients.
Dedicated pixel grid overlay which will be automatically enabled depending on zoom or pixel size in screen space.
Align brush automatically to the pixel grid.
No need to pre-configure anything.

CONS:

Align cursor to pixels in 3d viewport may be a lot of fun BUT extremely useful.

CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, having a separated tool will be most suitable as a pixel brush needs specific behaviours, as a squared cursor, aligned cursor, pixel grid overlay and no AA brushes.

Let's talk about the PIXEL BRUSH TOOL solution!

I've made a few prototypes in Python so I can give you all an idea of how it could behave:

• Pixel Grid Overlay

A grid per pixel.

A grid per chunks of 4x4 pixels (or whatever configured by user).

• Align Brush Automatically to the Pixel Grid
ezgif.com-gif-maker (15).mp4

• Pixel Brush Tool overview
ezgif.com-gif-maker (5).mp4

This task design is about adding a pixel brush tool as a potential solution to the current limitation in texture paint mode to not being able to paint textures in a pixel art style not even able to paint single pixels. Before looking into this solution let's check anothe non-pixel-brush-tool alternative and see the pros and cons of each one so we reach a conclusion. Feedback and new ideas are welcome! **SOLUTION 1 - REFACTOR and EXTRA ADDITIONS:** - Replacing current brush radius (which is strange IMHO) to brush size. This will make possible to have brushes with 1px size (diameter) to paint single pixels. - Add alternative squared paint cursor display over cursor settings to have a better feedback. - Add AA toggle as a unified paint setting to make possible paint in pixel art with any brush and size. - Add pixel grid overlay in the overlays panel. **CONS:** - Cursor isn't aligned with pixel grid. - So much options user have to configure before doing pixel art. (cursor, AA, pixel grid...) **SOLUTION 2 - PIXEL BRUSH TOOL:** - To have a dedicated pixel brush tool independent from current paint brush. This tool will behave differently. - To paint single pixels and blocks/chunks of 2x2, 4x4, ... pixels. - To paint pixel art patterns and gradients. - Dedicated pixel grid overlay which will be automatically enabled depending on zoom or pixel size in screen space. - Align brush automatically to the pixel grid. - No need to pre-configure anything. **CONS:** - Align cursor to pixels in 3d viewport may be a lot of fun BUT extremely useful. -------------------------------- **CONCLUSION:** In conclusion, having a separated tool will be most suitable as a pixel brush needs specific behaviours, as a squared cursor, aligned cursor, pixel grid overlay and no AA brushes. -------------------------------- ### Let's talk about the PIXEL BRUSH TOOL solution! I've made a few prototypes in Python so I can give you all an idea of how it could behave: **• Pixel Grid Overlay** ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13133415/image.png) A grid per pixel. ![image.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13133417/image.png) A grid per chunks of 4x4 pixels (or whatever configured by user). **• Align Brush Automatically to the Pixel Grid** [ezgif.com-gif-maker (15).mp4](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13133427/ezgif.com-gif-maker__15_.mp4) **• Pixel Brush Tool overview** [ezgif.com-gif-maker (5).mp4](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F13133428/ezgif.com-gif-maker__5_.mp4)

👍 3

Juanfran Matheu self-assigned this 2022-06-05 10:50:42 +02:00

Juanfran Matheu commented

2022-06-05 10:50:42 +02:00

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