What exactly is 'Pixel Perfect'

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Okay I have seen this phrase used a lot but can’t find a good definition of it.

So what is ‘Pixel Perfect’?

And yes I googled it and did’t find anything useful that didn’t already assume you knew what it was.

3 Answers

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It means when displaying a 2D texture, each pixel in the texture is represented by only one pixel on the screen…the image is neither stretched nor compressed. Usually it refers to displaying interface elements, but can to refer to elements in a 2D game (usually with an Orthographic camera). When you want your 2D-displayed textures to look their best, this is often what is strived for.

Never heard the term "pixel perfect" in reference to texel:pixel ratio but it makes sense.

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I don't know where I first heard it. There are 'pixel perfect' settings in EZGUI that force graphics to be pixel perfect.

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It's used (well, almost) in Unity, in the GUIText component, where you have a checkbox labeled "pixel correct".

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Sounds like a nebulous term with no true definition. I’m pretty sure I have heard it before but I think the meaning changes based on the context. I’ve heard it used as a description of digital art, as in, it’s “perfect, down to the pixel.” Basically, I think it means something is well-made, probably something in the digital space.

That being said, if you’re working with people who are throwing around buzz-words, maybe you can ask them to elaborate and be more descriptive.

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Pixel Perfect is basically what it means - perfect pixels. Many nowadays games claim to have “Pixel Art”, although one of their pixels are composed of multiple pixels on the screen, but give the illusion on being an old-styled game. Pixel Perfect-ness (my way of calling it) is basically real pixels on the screen, real puny tiny little squares.