Upscayl is a free and open-source AI image upscaler designed for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It allows users to enlarge low-resolution images with enhanced quality using advanced AI algorithms, aiming to provide a user-friendly experience for improving image detail.

How It Works

Upscayl leverages AI models, specifically mentioning Real-ESRGAN, to intelligently guess and reconstruct missing details in low-resolution images. The project utilizes Vulkan architecture for efficient GPU acceleration, enabling faster processing. This approach allows for significant image enlargement without the typical loss of quality associated with traditional scaling methods.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Downloadable as .AppImage (Linux), .dmg (macOS), or .exe (Windows) from the releases page or official website. macOS users can also use brew install --cask upscayl.
• Prerequisites: Requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU. Integrated graphics (iGPUs) may not work.
• Documentation: https://github.com/upscayl/upscayl/tree/main/docs
• Demo Results: https://upscayl.org/

Highlighted Details

• Supports multiple AI upscaling models, with a community repository for custom models.
• Offers a portable .AppImage for Linux, simplifying deployment.
• Includes a CLI tool (upscayl-ncnn) for command-line operations.
• Actively developed with a public roadmap.

Maintenance & Community

• Active development with recent releases and contributions from multiple individuals.
• Community support is available, with links to further models and development discussions.
• Roadmap available at: https://github.com/orgs/upscayl/projects/1

Licensing & Compatibility

• The backend is licensed under AGPLv3. The specific license for the frontend application is not explicitly stated in the README, but the project is described as "Free and Open Source."

Limitations & Caveats

• Requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU; will not work with most CPUs or iGPUs.
• Cannot de-blur or adjust focus on images; best suited for pixelated or low-resolution inputs, not out-of-focus images.