Sets the image scaling of the page to Nearest Neighbor for sharp pixels

Latest Version

Version
1.1
Update
November 7, 2024
Size
4.18KiB
Developer
Category
Users
458
Rating
4.88889 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (UK)
See more
Permissions
ActiveTab
Scripting
See more

PixelSharp Extension

PixelSharp changes the scaling of images on the current page to be pixel-perfect when activated.

Scaled up pixel art in the browser often ends up very blurry due to the default \"linear\" scaling method. This scaling works well for general browsing, as most images on the web are high resolution, but is detrimental to pixel art and low resolution images. Activating PixelSharp changes the page scaling to \"nearest neighbour\", the intended scaling method for pixel art.


How to use:
The extension was designed to be pinned so that you can simply click the icon to activate it. You can also activate PixelSharp by first pressing the \"Extensions\" button next to the URL bar and then clicking on PixelSharp in the list of installed extensions.

You will need to enable \"Allow access to file URLs\" for the extension to work on images loaded from your computer.


Technical details:
The extension only activates when clicked. Clicking the extension icon will trigger a single update to the current page which modifies the display styles to use nearest neighbour scaling. After the page has been updated the extension stops. Reloading the page will clear the page modification, essentially reverting the images on the page back to the original browser scaling behaviour.


Image attribution:
The \"before and after\" image was created from real screen captures of the same image at 500% browser zoom scale, before and after using the PixelSharp extension. The pixel art used to demonstrate this (\"Ninja Adventure - Asset Pack\" by pixel-boy and AAA) was licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license (\"public domain\").
Read more

Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx","author": "Lee White","name": "PixelSharp","short_name": "Pix#","description": "Sets the image scaling of the page to Nearest Neighbor for sharp pixels","version": "1.1","manifest_version": 3,"action": {"default_icon": "icon.png","default_title": "PixelSharp"},"permissions": [ "activeTab", "scripting" ],"background": {"service_worker": "PixelSharp.js"}}
Read more

How to download and manually install PixelSharp extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install PixelSharp extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install PixelSharp extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install PixelSharp extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download PixelSharp extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a PixelSharp extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the PixelSharp Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the PixelSharp extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the PixelSharp extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for PixelSharp extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the PixelSharp extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download PixelSharp extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install PixelSharp extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the PixelSharp extension file

Select and download the PixelSharp extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the PixelSharp extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your PixelSharp extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the PixelSharp extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install PixelSharp extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

Similar Extensions

User reviews

icon

Evan Scott (ID: 00000082557c5662) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 10/26/2023 Excellent extension, does exactly as it says - no more blurry pixel images!

icon

Keir Williams (ID: 000000e3154aa685) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 04/09/2022 Nice and simple. Just wish pressing it a second time toggled it off.

icon

Stefan Albert (ID: 0000006c4d3b6371) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 12/23/2020 Best extension ive ever used, clears up the problem with viewing native res pixel art on chrome

icon

Aviator Nikolaev (Lemon MX Yellow) (ID: 000000507f70ac03) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 12/06/2019 Works perfectly. Very underrated chrome extension with a very useful feature

icon

Aidan Edwards (ID: 000000458f4f5e6c) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 03/24/2019 Adding a way to make it automatic would be great, but still very good!