FAQ: images, privacy and exports
About the tool itself: what it does, where your data goes, and when it will not work well.
Are my images uploaded?
No. Decoding, conversion and export all happen in your browser and never touch a server. There is no image upload endpoint — you can verify this by going offline and continuing to convert.
Why does it still need a connection? To load the page itself. After the first visit the browser caches the app and it keeps working offline; if you download the standalone single-file version, no connection is needed at all.
Where is my pattern stored?
In your own browser's local storage. It holds grid cells, color codes, size and display settings — not the source image you chose.
Keep these traits in mind:
- Clearing browser data, private browsing, or changing devices will lose it
- It does not sync across devices; another computer will not see it
- For anything important, download the JSON project or a PNG backup
Which image formats work?
Any common raster format your browser can decode — mainly PNG, JPEG and WebP. Vector files (SVG) and animated GIFs are not processed directly; export vectors to a raster first, and only the first frame of a GIF is used.
What are the three exported files?
| File | Contents | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Construction sheet PNG | The pattern with color codes and board guides | Follow it while beading; printable |
| Material list CSV | A table of quantities per code | Ordering beads; opens in any spreadsheet app |
| Editable pattern JSON | Full project data | Resume editing later, change size or colors |
They serve entirely different purposes; keep all three. The JSON matters most — it is the only file that lets you continue rather than start over.
Why do codes not match the beads I bought?
Because screen color and physical beads differ inherently, and batches drift too. Codes on a pattern are the closest reference under standard conditions, not a guarantee of an exact purchasable match.
Suggested practice: verify critical colors (body, skin) against a physical card; let background colors drift; and buy all beads for one project in a single order to avoid batch differences.
Can it work offline?
Yes, in two ways:
- After visiting the site: the browser caches the app, so conversion, editing and export still work without a connection.
- With the standalone build: download the single-file HTML and open it directly — no network required.
Will ads get in the way?
Ad slots are separate from the workspace and never cover the canvas or tools. Refusing or clearing cookies does not affect image conversion, editing or export — those run entirely locally and do not depend on cookies. See the privacy page for how data is handled.
How do I report a problem or suggest something?
Feedback is welcome. Include the steps you took, the kind of image involved, and what you expected; a screenshot helps. The contact route is listed on the privacy page linked in the footer.
Where the tool has limits
- Automatic conversion is not the final look. It gives the nearest quantization; the impression still needs manual cleanup.
- Very large patterns get slow. Projects of several hundred cells lag on low-end devices — a browser rendering limit, not a bug.
- Color compatibility is not an official table. This site has no affiliation with or endorsement by any bead manufacturer.