> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pixelate.tomblack.ca/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Image capture

> Capture one static frame from a 3D object and export it as a sliced sprite.

Use image capture for props, portraits, items, icons, or any object that does not need animation frames.

## Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Leave Animation off">
    In the `PixelateCaptureManager` inspector, keep the **Animation** section unchecked.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign target and capture camera">
    Set **Target** to the GameObject you want to render. In **Camera**, set **Capture Camera** to the camera framing the object. When the capture manager is selected, Pixelate isolates the target and its children so other scene objects do not appear in previews or captures.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review profile settings">
    Use the local profile settings for palette and normal-map output, or save/assign a `PixelateProfile` if you want to reuse the same look elsewhere.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check preview">
    Use **Preview** to confirm the object fits inside the cell. Adjust the camera or **Camera > Cell Size** if needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose export location">
    In **Output**, pick a folder under `Assets/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click capture">
    Pixelate writes the image and imports it as a sprite.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Output

For a target named `Crate`, Pixelate creates:

| File                | When created                                   |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `Crate/Crate.png`   | Always.                                        |
| `Crate/Crate_N.png` | When **Normal Map** is enabled in the profile. |

The folder name comes from the target GameObject name. Pixelate creates the folder inside your selected export location.

## Useful settings

<ParamField path="Camera > Cell Size" type="Vector2Int" default="64, 64">
  Width and height of the captured sprite cell.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Output > Pivot" type="Vector2" default="0.5, 0.5">
  Pivot assigned to the imported sprite.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Output > Pixels Per Unit" type="float" default="64">
  Sprite import scale assigned to exported diffuse and normal-map textures.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Color Palette" type="section">
  Enables auto palette generation, custom palette snapping, or full-color output.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Normal Map" type="section">
  Enables matching normal-map output for lit sprites.
</ParamField>

<Tip>
  For clean pixel art, use an orthographic camera and keep **Pixelated** enabled in **Camera**.
</Tip>

<Card title="Next: Export and slicing" icon="folder-output" href="/output">
  Learn where Pixelate writes files, how generated sprites are sliced, and how normal maps are linked.
</Card>