# Grainrad

> In-browser WebGPU tool for real-time ASCII, dithering, and retro visual effects

Grainrad is a free web-based creative tool that applies real-time shaders and retro styling to images, videos, and 3D files. It runs on WebGPU/WebGL to process media at 60fps directly in the browser without requiring external software installations or server-side rendering. Users can tweak a wide variety of effects—including ASCII, dithering, halftone, and VHS filters—and export to image, video, SVG, text, or Three.js code.

Website: https://grainrad.com/

## What it is for

- Convert images or video clips into animated ASCII or text art
- Apply dithering, halftone, and pixel-sorting retro effects to graphic assets
- Add film grain, scanlines, bloom, and chromatic aberration to visual media
- Export stylized 3D models or graphics directly as interactive Three.js HTML

## Features

- Real-time processing powered by WebGPU and WebGL2 at up to 60fps
- Wide selection of effects including ASCII, Dithering, Halftone, Matrix Rain, Pixel Sort, and VHS
- Broad file input support covering PNG, JPG, GIF, MP4, WebM, and 3D GLB files
- Detailed image adjustments for brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, gamma, and hue
- Customizable post-processing layers including grain, bloom, and scanlines
- Multiple export formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4, SVG, plain Text, and Three.js HTML

## Pricing

Free to use in the browser

## Details

- Type: Web app
- Category: [Design](https://xiry.app/topics/design.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: Web
- For: Motion designers, graphic designers, digital artists, and creative technologists
- Alternative to: Photoshop, After Effects
- Tags: ascii, shaders, webgpu, retro, dithering, video effects

## Why it was saved

- [@timhosqo, 3 February 2026](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUTKfwfk0Ag/): Allows designers to quickly apply stylized visual effects like ASCII art, dithering, and film grain directly in the browser without paid software or heavy rendering times.
- [@almmaasoglu, 23 January 2026](https://x.com/almmaasoglu/status/2014767921243824482): Fast in-browser image effect processor for making ASCII-art/dithered visuals; no signup or payment, free forever, export to PNG/JPG. More effects and better ASCII/dither algorithms promised.

## Compare

- [Alternatives to After Effects](https://xiry.app/alternatives/after-effects.md)
- [Alternatives to Photoshop](https://xiry.app/alternatives/photoshop.md)

## Related

- [Tooooools](https://xiry.app/resources/tooooools): Browser-based tool for applying lo-fi and retro visual effects to media (Web app, Free)
- [ASCII Magic](https://xiry.app/resources/ascii-magic): Browser-based tool converting images and video into ASCII, dither, and stylized art. (Web app, Freemium)
- [Shader Gradient](https://xiry.app/resources/shader-gradient): Design tool for generating animated 3D moving gradients and web components. (Web app, Free)
- [Unicorn Studio](https://xiry.app/resources/unicorn-studio): Visual canvas for designing interactive WebGL shaders and motion graphics (Web app, Freemium)
- [Bookmania](https://xiry.app/resources/bookmania): Bookman revival serif typeface featuring extensive swashes and alternate glyphs (Paid)
- [Creating AI Animation (Unicorn Studio Remix)](https://xiry.app/resources/creating-ai-animation-unicorn-studio-remix): Editable WebGL animation starter kit for an AI loading pill component (Web app, Freemium)

Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/grainrad

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