Keep this in mind: Save project downloads an editable .bead file; Export PNG downloads a picture. Save your project before closing the browser. There is no automatic cloud saving.
Learn by doing
In Learn, each guided lesson advances after you complete the action. Leaving a lesson keeps your project. The steps below also work as a printable checklist.
Give the cat a new coat
Replace a color, save your project, export a PNG.
- Replace the ginger coat
On the right, click S01 Ginger, then Replace…. Choose S03 Amber and click Replace 305 cells. Cancel leaves the cat unchanged. - Keep an editable copy
Click Save project in the top bar. Keep the downloaded .bead file: Open project brings back the cells and palette. A PNG alone cannot preserve your edits. - Download your picture
Click Export in the top bar, select PNG, then Download PNG. Transparent background leaves empty cells clear. This lesson finishes after the download.
Make your first bead edit
Draw on the little paw, undo, then save.
- Draw one bead
Click a color on the right. Select the pencil on the left tool rail (B), then click an empty square in the grid. Empty squares are the checked background. - Try Undo
Click the curved Undo arrow on the left tool rail, or press Ctrl/Cmd + Z. The bead you just added disappears. Redo brings it back. - Save your practice project
Click Save project. Reopen the downloaded .bead file with Open project whenever you want to continue. You can now edit any template in the library.
Turn your image into a pattern
Crop an image, set its grid, export a PNG.
- Open and crop an image
Click Open image in the top bar. Choose a PNG, JPG or WebP you own. Drag on the crop preview, or keep Full image; click Use image. Start with a simple, clear illustration. - Choose the grid and colors
In the left panel, try 32 for Width and 8 for Maximum colors. Lock aspect ratio keeps the shape. Click Apply conversion, then Replace edits if asked. More cells preserve detail but require more beads. - Export a PNG
Click Export → PNG → Download PNG. Save project separately if you want to keep the source image, palette and editable cells. The free demo allows up to 48 × 48 cells.
How-to reference
1. Start with a template
Open Templates in the top bar. Pick a card to open an editable copy. All 8 templates fit the free demo. The card shows grid size, colors and bead count.
Try Ginger cat → S01 Ginger → Replace… → S03 Amber → Replace 305 cells. Click Undo to restore the coat. A different color changes no bead positions.
2. Fix an outline
Pencil (B) adds the selected color; eraser (E) makes a cell empty. Fill (G) changes connected cells of one color. Select (V) limits edits to a rectangle; Esc clears the selection.
Zoom with the wheel. Hold Space and drag to pan. Click Fit to bring the whole pattern back. If a tool seems to do nothing, clear any selection and check the selected color.
3. Import a simple picture
Use Open image, crop, then Use image. Begin at 32 × 32 with 6–10 colors and Cartoon / Pixel. Change Width or Maximum colors, then click Apply conversion. Settings do not rebuild the cells until you apply them.
If a tiny face becomes unclear, crop closer or increase the grid. Reducing colors can simplify noise. Imported photos do not automatically become clean cartoon outlines.
4. Make a larger photo mosaic
Choose a well-lit photo with a clear subject. Crop tightly, select Photo / Large, and try Width 128 with 16–24 colors in the offline edition. Apply conversion. The demo is limited to 48 × 48, which is better for testing the workflow than retaining photo detail.
Compare dithering on and off. It can blend tones but introduces scattered single beads. Adjust contrast gently and remove isolated specks by hand. A 128 × 128 filled pattern uses 16,384 beads; at nominal 5 mm pitch it spans 64 cm.
5. Save, export and print
Save project downloads an editable .bead file. Export PNG downloads a picture. Both are available in the demo. Keep the .bead file before closing the browser; changes are not automatically saved to a cloud account.
Offline edition: choose your bead pitch on the left, then Export → PDF. Use Actual bead size · tiled for pegboard scale, or Fit pattern to one page for a reference sheet. Print at 100%, disable page fitting, and measure the 50 mm calibration line. Physical print accuracy depends on your printer.
Export materials CSV lists quantities and optional spare beads. Studio colors are generic RGB: compare real beads or import your own Code,Name,Hex CSV palette. Do not buy a large batch based only on the screen preview.