Pixelation

What Does Pixelation Mean?

Pixelation is the term used in computer graphics to describe blurry sections or fuzziness in an image due to visibility of single-colored square display elements or individual pixels. It mostly occurs with non-vector or raster-based images or with images which are resolution dependent due to the number of pixels per inch of the image being low. For a good quality image, pixelation must be avoided or minimized.

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Techopedia Explains Pixelation

Pixelation mostly occurs when resizing of the raster or non-vector images are enlarged to a point where individual pixels can be observed. In other words, pixelation occurs when the pixels are stretched to a point beyond their original size. This in turn causes the fuzziness or blurry sections in the image.

One of the key ways to avoid pixelation is to make use of vector images rather than raster or non-vector images. Vector-based images are mathematical in nature, as a result of which resizing the image ensures proper scaling and thus pixelation never occurs. Another way to handle pixelation is to avoid scaling images or perform scaling in moderation. Usage of high-resolution images is also another technique used to contain pixelation. Software applications are also available to improve images affected by pixelation.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…