Scale by whole-number multiples only (2×, 3×), never fractional. If the design does not fit the board at a whole multiple, regenerate from the source image at the target size instead of stretching. Changing size means re-counting beads — the shopping list is only valid for one grid.
The Scaling Rules
| Original | Target board | Method | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16×16 sprite | 29×29 | Do not scale (1.8× is not whole) | Redraw or regenerate at 29×29 |
| 16×16 sprite | 32×32 → 2 boards | 2× nearest neighbor | Every pixel becomes a 2×2 block; looks intentional |
| 29×29 design | 58×58 | 2× nearest neighbor | Chunky, clean doubling |
| 29×29 design | 87×87 | 3× nearest neighbor | Very chunky; only for bold shapes |
| Any photo | Any board | Regenerate at target size | Best quality — the converter re-samples properly |
Fractional scaling is what ruins patterns: a 1.8× scale turns single-pixel eyes into 1- and 2-pixel smears and one-pixel outlines into dashed lines. If the choice is fractional scale or regenerating, regenerate.
Nearest Neighbor vs Smoothing
Two ways to resize pixel art, with opposite results:
- Nearest neighbor duplicates pixels in whole blocks. Sharp edges, perfect for sprites and logos. This is what "scale" should mean for bead patterns.
- Smoothing (bilinear/bicubic) invents in-between pixels. It blurs edges and creates colors that were never in the design — the exact opposite of what a bead pattern wants. Any tool that smooths by default will destroy a sprite.
When you generate from a photo, the converter does neither: it samples the image at your chosen grid resolution and maps each sample to the nearest bead color. That is why regenerating at the target size beats scaling a finished pattern. See photo to pattern.
Step-by-Step: Resize Any Pattern
1. Determine the target grid. Board size times number of boards: one 29×29 board is 29×29; a 2×2 assembly is 58×58.
2. Check for a whole-number relationship. 16 → 29 is 1.8× (no), 32 → 64 is 2× (yes), 29 → 58 is 2× (yes).
3. If whole: scale with nearest neighbor. Every bead becomes a 2×2 or 3×3 block. Detail level stays the same; the piece just gets bigger.
4. If not whole: regenerate at the target size. Go back to the source image or the original sketch and rebuild at 29×29 or 58×58 directly.
5. Re-count beads. A scaled 2× pattern needs roughly 4× the beads (minus boundary efficiency). The old shopping list is obsolete — use the bead usage guide.
Choosing the Grid Resolution for Photos
| Photo subject | Recommended grid | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single face, portrait | 58×58 or larger | Eyes and mouth need 2–3 pixels each minimum |
| Pet portrait | 58×58 | Fur shading needs the extra cells |
| Full-body person | 87×87 | 58×58 turns the face into noise |
| Logo / simple icon | 29×29 | Shapes are geometric; extra resolution adds nothing |
| Landscape / sky | 58×58 | Gradients need area more than resolution |
The rule behind the table: any feature you must recognize (eyes, a logo mark, text) needs at least two beads of resolution. Count how many recognisable features the subject has, multiply by three, and pick the grid that gives each one its pixels.
Color Count and Size Interact
At 29×29, more than 12 colors produces speckle — each color occupies too few beads to read as an area. At 58×58 the same 12 colors spread comfortably, and you can push to 20 on portraits. If a 29×29 conversion looks noisy, the fix is fewer colors, not a different palette. The color reference shows how close the palette steps really are.
Pro Tips
- Keep the original pattern file with its grid size recorded. Six months later, "the 29×29 version" versus "the 58×58 version" is the difference between a coaster and a poster.
- When scaling 2× for a multi-board project, treat each board as its own placement session and photo the seams — doubled patterns make seam errors easy to miss.
- Border treatments scale badly. A 1-bead outline becomes a fat 2-bead frame at 2×; if you want a thin frame at the larger size, redraw it rather than scaling.
- For text patterns, never scale — re-render the text at the target grid size, because letterforms distorted by scaling look broken at bead scale.
FAQ
Can I scale a 29×29 design to fit a 58×58 board without redrawing?
Yes, at exactly 2× with nearest neighbor. Every bead becomes a 2×2 block, which is a legitimate aesthetic — bolder and more readable from a distance, with the same detail budget.
Why does my resized pattern look blurry?
The tool used smoothing instead of nearest neighbor, or you scaled by a fractional factor. Regenerate at the target size for a clean result.
Does the generator let me choose the grid size?
Yes — set the pattern dimensions in the generator before converting, and preview at board scale. Generating at 29×29 and 58×58 to compare costs nothing but a few seconds, and the comparison usually settles the size question immediately.
How do I know if my design has enough detail for the size?
Zoom out to arm's length. On a 29×29 midi board, the piece is 15cm — if the eye reads at 15cm, the detail survives; if you need to squint, the design needs a bigger grid.