Upscaling Retro 8-Bit Pixel Art To Vector Graphics 325
An anonymous reader writes "Two researchers — Johannes Kopf from Microsoft, and Dani Lischinski from The Hebrew University — have successfully created an algorithm that depixelizes and upscales low-resolution 8-bit 'pixel art' into lush vector graphics. The algorithm identifies pixel-level details (original paper — PDF) to accurately shade the new image — but more importantly, the algorithm can create smooth, curved contour lines from only-connected-on-the-diagonal single pixels. At long last, we might be able to play Super Mario Bros. on a big screen without stretching our beloved plumber's pixels to breaking point. You really must look at the sample images." Scroll down in the paper to see how their technique stacks up against some others, including Adobe's Live Trace.
Wonderful! (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Great. (Score:5, Interesting)
Besides, do you think 1080 HD will be the resolution of choice 20-40 years from now? I imagine we'll be looking at wall-sized TVs at some point and 1080 pixels will look awfully blocky on a 10 foot wall. Sharp has already released a 7x680 x 4,320 pixel 85-inch screen, [mashable.com] how long before 4320 is the new 1080?
But the whole point is... (Score:3, Interesting)
This project is technically interesting but as art it completely misses the point. Not every piece of human creation needs to be updated, upscaled, "improved" and redone.
I know the originals [imgur.com] make more sense to me.