Every AI Setting Explained
PhotoFromEmojiAI gives you seven controls to fine-tune the emoji conversion. This guide explains what each one does and which values to use for different photo types.
🔍 Analysis Window (px)
What it does: Sets the size in pixels of each block the AI scans. A smaller window = more blocks = more emojis = finer detail. A larger window = fewer, bigger emoji chunks = more abstract result.
Range: 3px – 20px. Recommended start: 7px.
Best for portraits: 4–7px. Best for abstract art: 10–18px.
📐 Output Emoji Size (px)
What it does: Controls how large each matched emoji is drawn on the final canvas. Larger values produce a higher-resolution downloadable image — better for printing. Smaller values keep file size compact for social sharing.
Range: 6px – 32px. For print: 20–30px. For social: 8–14px.
🎯 Match Tolerance
What it does: The DeltaE94 threshold above which the AI will accept a "second-best" emoji rather than leaving a block blank. Low tolerance = strict colour accuracy, fewer emoji varieties. High tolerance = more creative palette, more diverse emoji mix.
Range: 1 – 25. Portraits: 5–8. Creative art: 12–20.
🌫️ Allowed Empty Space (%)
What it does: Caps the maximum transparency an emoji may have. Emojis with lots of transparent pixels leave visible gaps. Setting this low forces the AI to prefer solid, well-filled emojis over hollow ones.
Range: 0% – 100%. Best default: 40–60%.
🎨 Background Colour
What it does: Fills canvas gaps between emojis with a chosen solid colour. Match it to your photo's dominant tone for a seamless look, or leave it white/transparent for a clean result.
Tip: For dark photos use a near-black fill (#111111). For portraits use a neutral skin-adjacent tone.
🗂️ Display Mode
Grid — neat rows and columns for a structured, pixel-art feel.
Mosaic — organic, slightly offset placement for a painterly effect.
Chart — analytical layout great for creating data-art aesthetics or infographic-style results.
⬛ Hide Black / Transparent
What it does: Skips grid blocks that are very dark or fully transparent. Without this, shadowed areas and dark backgrounds are filled with heavy black emojis that dominate the image.
Always enable for photos with dark backgrounds or strong shadows.
Quick Preset Guide
| Photo type | Analysis Window | Output Size | Tolerance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait / face | 5–7px | 12–16px | 5–8 | Enable Hide Black |
| Pet photo | 6–9px | 12–18px | 7–12 | Try Mosaic mode |
| Landscape / scene | 8–12px | 10–14px | 10–16 | Disable Hide Black |
| Print (poster) | 5–8px | 24–30px | 6–10 | Large output size |
| Abstract / creative | 10–18px | 8–12px | 14–22 | Chart or Mosaic mode |
| Logo / icon | 4–6px | 14–20px | 4–7 | White background |
Tips for the Best Results
- Crop tightly. Single subjects (faces, pets, objects) produce far more recognisable mosaics than busy group shots.
- Use well-lit, high-contrast photos. Strong colour separation helps the AI pick the right emoji every time.
- Start at 7px and adjust. Go lower for more detail, higher for a chunkier, more abstract look.
- Lower tolerance for skin tones. Tight matching (5–8) keeps complexion colours accurate on portrait photos.
- Raise tolerance for fun results. A tolerance of 15–20 produces a lively, rainbow-esque mosaic with maximum emoji variety.
Ready to Fine-Tune Your Emoji Art?
Open the generator and experiment with the settings in real time — changes apply instantly.
⬆ Open Generator