Steam Desktop — Latest Features

Current Steam desktop release documented here: v2.2.3 (Windows & macOS via Steam). This page describes what you can do in the app — not how the pixel engines are implemented.

For release-by-release notes, see Steam Version History. For the free browser trial, see the comparison section below.

What you can do in Steam Desktop

Convert images and GIFs

• Open still images (PNG, JPEG, BMP, WebP, and more) or animated GIFs.
• Preview original and result side by side; drag/pan to inspect details.
• Save PNG/GIF results (including transparency where supported). Non-GIF saves can also write a true 1×1 pixel companion file.
• Optional grid overlay and dimension readout for original vs exported size.

Choose a look (algorithms)

Pick the style that fits your goal. Names match the in-app selector:

• Standard — classic blocky pixel art with adjustable block size and color count (up to 256 colors on supported modes).
• SLIC — content-aware clusters that follow shapes more naturally.
• 1bit — monochrome / grayscale looks (Bayer dithering at 2 colors; multi-level grayscale at higher color counts).
• Pixelizer — advanced pixel look with target-width style controls.
• ColorNative — keeps the source resolution while remapping colors.
• Artisan — additional artistic conversion mode with auto parameter hints.
• Classic Lab — clean solid blocks without dithering, tuned for classical pixel-art feel.

Some modes do not convert animated GIFs; the app shows a clear warning when a mode is unsupported.

Palettes & fuse beads (拼豆)

• Built-in pixel-art palettes plus fuse-bead brands (Perler, Hama, Nabbi, Artkal).
• Import custom palettes (e.g. .act / .pal); manage multiple custom sets.
• Palette dialog organized by tabs: Pixel Art / Fuse Bead / Custom.
• Pattern export: numbered bead cells (1–N) with a color legend for crafting blueprints (supported on Standard, Classic Lab, and other modes that expose Pattern).

Batch & workflow helpers

• Batch convert folders or many files; progress shows elapsed time on slow items; cloud-drive stalls time out instead of freezing the whole job.
• Inline suffix editing for same-folder batch exports.
• Remember last-used algorithm; optional auto parameter adjustment when opening images (can be turned off in Learning settings).
• Opening the next image keeps your manual session parameters; the previous image’s palette is cleared so colors are not reused by mistake.

Preference learning & Steam Cloud

• Each save can teach preferred algorithm and parameters for similar images.
• Learning settings: view datasets, export/import learning files, toggle learning or auto-adjust, clear data with confirmation.
• Steam Cloud syncs recipes, settings, custom palettes, and learning datasets across your devices.

Optional AI image tools

• Pixel conversion itself remains local algorithmic processing — not an online “AI pixelize” upload.
• If you configure your own API keys, you can use supported image models (e.g. Nano Banana / Gemini Flash Image, Doubao Seedream / Seededit families) for generation or image-to-image assistance.
• Keys are stored in the OS secure store (Keychain / DPAPI).

Automation (power users)

• CLI and MCP entry points share the same conversion engine as the desktop UI (including batch and algorithm listing).
• Useful for pipelines and agent workflows; invalid algorithm names are rejected instead of silently changing your choice.

Steam Desktop vs Web trial

The free browser trial (private/public web tool) is great for a quick try. Steam Desktop is the full Windows/macOS product. High-level differences:

Getting updates

Steam clients receive desktop updates through Steam. After updating, open License / Version History inside the app for the exact notes shipped with your build, or revisit Steam Version History on this help site.