ALBERT | The pixel art editor for creating extended Commodore 64 images

ALBERT is a multi-platform cross-development pixel art editor, brought to you by Luigi Di Fraia (aka TCE – code and ideas) and Joachim Ljunggren (aka The Sarge – UI/UX, ideas, and testing). ALBERT allows its users to create Commodore 64 images that extend into the left and right borders of the visible screen, with sprites to display the extra pixels, using an uncomplicated drawing workflow.

ALBERT: the pixel art editor for extended Commodore 64 images by Luigi Di Fraia — ALBERT: the pixel art editor for creating extended Commodore 64 images (artwork by The Sarge)

Designs can be saved to project files for later modification. A project file mirrors ALBERT’s virtually unlimited undo/redo mechanism as it contains all work-stages, which can be exported to PNG files. The latter can then be used to produce a time-lapse and illustrate all production stages of the creative process behind a project, e.g. by using ffmpeg.

Currently ALBERT can convert non-native images (in PNG format), based on the Commodore 64 palette in use and using three different approaches:

nearest color match,
error diffusion (Floyd-Steinberg) dithering, or
ordered (Bayer) dithering.

Furthermore, whereas the natural (Euclidean) distance is found to be unsuitable for color conversion, a weighted alternative is available. The latter should produce results in line with expectations based on the luminance value of Commodore 64 palette colors.
Finally, a curves adjustment widget is provided in order to adjust each color channel separately and/or all of them at the same time.

ALBERT: image conversion dialog by Luigi Di Fraia — ALBERT: image conversion dialog

ALBERT also integrates with the programming language Lua, to expose a scripted drawing interface. The scripting window is used for this purpose, providing support for syntax highlighting, undo/redo, displaying line numbers, and other features typical of a source code editor.

ALBERT: scripting window by Luigi Di Fraia — ALBERT: scripting window

Downloads

ALBERT 2.0.2 for macOS (Intel)
ALBERT 2.0.1 for Windows portable (64-bit – includes runtime components)
Sample Projects for ALBERT 2.0.1
Read me file for ALBERT 2.0.1
Change log file for ALBERT 2.0.2

Download previous versions

ALBERT 1.2.1 for macOS (Intel)
ALBERT 1.2.1 for Windows portable (64-bit – includes runtime components)
Sample Projects for ALBERT 1.2.1
ALBERT 1.1.2 for macOS (Intel)
ALBERT 1.1.2 for Windows portable (64-bit – includes runtime components)
Sample Projects for ALBERT 1.1.2

Docker images

Linux Docker images are available on Docker Hub

Timelapse examples

A playlist of Joachim’s timelapse videos is available on YouTube

Sample Lua scripts

Lua scripts for ALBERT are available on GitHub

The developers


Luigi Di Fraia (TCE) Code and ideas At work I am a DevOps Tech Lead so I get to work with the latest technologies and open-source software such as Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, within an AWS-based platform. However, in my private time I enjoy retro-computing and my projects are often related to the Commodore 64.	Joachim Ljunggren (The Sarge) UI/UX, ideas, and testing Working as a freelance artist designing graphics for TV, games, and print. During my spare time I enjoy pixeling on the Commodore 64 and spending time with my family.