# Tooooools

> Browser-based tool for applying lo-fi and retro visual effects to media

Tooooools is a free online editor that applies retro visual processing to images and videos, including dithering, halftone, ASCII, and CRT effects. It lets you customize parameters like grain, threshold, and grid angles without needing desktop design software.

Website: https://tooooools.app/

## What it is for

- Apply dithering and halftone effects to photos for graphic design projects
- Turn images or videos into ASCII art and CRT screen simulations
- Preprocess graphics with grain, blur, and threshold adjustments in the browser

## Features

- Supports multiple retro effects including dithering, stippling, halftone, CRT, and ASCII
- Image and video preprocessing controls for grain, blur, gamma, and black/white points
- Adjustable effect parameters like grid type, square sizing, and thresholds
- Support for JPG, PNG, and MP4 uploads
- Browser-based export with keyboard shortcuts

## Pricing

Free for personal and commercial use; optional supporter donations

## Details

- Type: Web app
- Category: [Design](https://xiry.app/topics/design.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: Web
- For: Graphic designers, digital artists, and creative technologists
- Alternative to: Photoshop
- Tags: dithering, halftone, lofi, ascii, retro, image editor, visual effects

## Why it was saved

- [@jason_swet, 4 August 2024](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-P44S0RuJA/): Generates retro, stylized bitmap and screenprint-style aesthetics directly in the browser without requiring Photoshop.

## Compare

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

## Related

- [Grainrad](https://xiry.app/resources/grainrad): In-browser WebGPU tool for real-time ASCII, dithering, and retro visual effects (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)
- [Eyecandy](https://xiry.app/resources/eyecandy-1060): Curated visual reference library of cinematography techniques, transitions, and editing effects. (Website, Free)
- [Bookmania](https://xiry.app/resources/bookmania): Bookman revival serif typeface featuring extensive swashes and alternate glyphs (Paid)
- [DotGothic16](https://xiry.app/resources/dotgothic16): Open-source 16x16 pixel Gothic font supporting Latin and Japanese characters (Open source)
- [IllusionSerif](https://xiry.app/resources/illusionserif): Open-source pixel serif font family with ligatures and multilingual glyph support (Free)

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

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