01
When this tool is useful
Use this to reduce complicated photo values into three to eight broad masses for grisaille, paint-order, or lighting studies. Fewer levels make the structure more abstract.
Value posterizer
Separate major value masses for grisaille and shading studies.
Value posterizer
A browser-side result for planning and reference.
What to check before using it
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How the result is produced
Every pixel is converted to grayscale, the 0-255 range is divided by the selected level count, and brightness is rounded to the nearest step. Color information is discarded.
03
Worked example and interpretation
At four levels, a portrait can be read as highlight, light midtone, dark midtone, and core shadow. Block those masses first, then return to the original to refine important edges.
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Scope and limitations
Mechanical brightness bands may not match artistically important planes. An overexposed or underexposed source can crowd most pixels into a few steps, so inspect the original too.
Frequently asked questions
Does Value posterizer send my upload to a server?
No. Image reading and canvas processing currently happen in the browser. On a shared device, also manage downloaded files and browser history appropriately.
Does Value posterizer preserve the original resolution?
No. Processing uses a fixed preview canvas for performance, so it is not an archival conversion or a replacement for full-resolution editing.
Can I use a PNG from Value posterizer commercially?
The tool grants no rights to the source. Upload material you are allowed to use and review copyright, trademarks, and final production quality yourself.