Name: Retro Diffusion RD Plus Pixel Art Generator API
Brand: magicapi
SKU: api-magicapi-high-quality-pixel-art-generator-retro-diffusion-rd-plus
Availability: InStock
Author: API Market

Shashank Agarwal

# 🕹️ Pixel Art Generator API (Retro Diffusion RD Plus)

## Overview
RD Plus is the high-quality pixel art model from Retro Diffusion. Its developer describes it as producing high quality, authentic pixel art.

Send a `prompt`, a `style` and the `width` and `height` you want (16 to 384 pixels each). You can guide it with an `input_image` or an `input_palette`, make it tile seamlessly, or remove the background. Each request returns a list of image URLs, one per image (`num_images`, 1 to 10).

## Features
- **19 styles** in three families: large scenes and assets (`default`, `retro`, `watercolor`, `textured`, `cartoon`, `ui_element`, `item_sheet`, `character_turnaround`, `environment`, `isometric`, `isometric_asset`, `topdown_map`, `topdown_asset`), small assets (`low_res`, `topdown_item`, `skill_icon`, `mc_item`, `mc_texture`) and `classic`.
- **True pixel sizes**: `width` and `height` from 16 to 384 pixels (default 256 x 256).
- **Image to image and palettes**: start from an `input_image` (with `strength`) or match the colors of an `input_palette`.
- **Game-ready options**: seamless tiling (`tile_x`, `tile_y`) and background removal (`remove_bg`).
- **Up to 10 images per request** with `num_images`.

## Use Cases
1. **Isometric and top-down game maps** and the assets that go on them.
2. **Skill icons, items and UI elements** for games.
3. **Character sprites and turnarounds** for animation.
4. **Pixel art illustrations** for stores, social posts and banners.

## Visual Examples
### Example Input
Prompt: "A quiet lakeside village with small wooden houses, green trees and a blue sky", default style, 128 x 128 pixels, one image.

```json
{
  "style": "default",
  "width": 128,
  "height": 128,
  "prompt": "A quiet lakeside village with small wooden houses, green trees and a blue sky",
  "tile_x": false,
  "tile_y": false,
  "strength": 0.8,
  "remove_bg": false,
  "num_images": 1,
  "bypass_prompt_expansion": false
}
```

### Example Output
![RD Plus output: 128 x 128 pixel art of wooden houses by a lake with pine trees and a blue sky](https://blog.api.market/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/rd-plus-output-n2v3ajfn-api-market.png)

## Input Parameters
| Field | Type | Required | Default | Allowed values | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `prompt` | string | Yes |  |  | Text prompt describing the pixel art to generate. |
| `style` | string | No | `default` | `default`, `retro`, `watercolor`, `textured`, `cartoon`, `ui_element`, `item_sheet`, `character_turnaround`, `environment`, `isometric`, `isometric_asset`, `topdown_map`, `topdown_asset`, `classic`, `topdown_item`, `low_res`, `mc_item`, `mc_texture`, `skill_icon` | Style of the image: `default` (clean pixel art, bold colors and outlines), `retro` (PC98-era look), `watercolor`, `textured` (semi-realistic with heavy shading), `cartoon`, `ui_element`, `item_sheet`, `character_turnaround`, `environment` (one-point perspective scenes), `isometric`, `isometric_asset`, `topdown_map`, `topdown_asset`, `classic` (strong outlines, simple shading), `topdown_item`, `low_res`, `mc_item`, `mc_texture` (block-game textures) and `skill_icon`. The style also sets the price row (see Pricing). |
| `width` | integer | No | `256` | 16 to 384 | Image width in pixels. |
| `height` | integer | No | `256` | 16 to 384 | Image height in pixels. |
| `num_images` | integer | No | `1` | 1 to 10 | Number of images to generate. Each image is billed. |
| `input_image` | string (URL) | No | none |  | Image URL (jpeg, png, gif or webp) for image-to-image generation or as a reference. Converted to RGB without transparency. |
| `strength` | number | No | `0.8` | 0 to 1 | Prompt strength in image-to-image generation. Higher values follow the prompt more closely; lower values keep more of the input image. Only used when input_image is set. |
| `input_palette` | string (URL) | No | none |  | Image URL (jpeg, png, gif or webp) of a reference palette that guides the colors. |
| `remove_bg` | boolean | No | `false` |  | Remove the background to create images with transparency. |
| `tile_x` | boolean | No | `false` |  | Make the image tile seamlessly along the X axis. |
| `tile_y` | boolean | No | `false` |  | Make the image tile seamlessly along the Y axis. |
| `bypass_prompt_expansion` | boolean | No | `false` |  | Turn off the automatic expansion of your prompt and use it as written. |
| `seed` | integer | No | none |  | Random seed. Set it for reproducible generation. |

## Pricing
- **Pay As You Go (PAYG) pricing**: you only pay for what you use.
- **Price**: $0.001 per API unit.
- **Metered billing**: each output image is billed at the price for its style family and its size (width x height in pixels). The total for the request is rounded up to a whole API unit.

**Large styles** (`default`, `retro`, `watercolor`, `textured`, `cartoon`, `ui_element`, `item_sheet`, `character_turnaround`, `environment`, `isometric`, `isometric_asset`, `topdown_map`, `topdown_asset`):

| Output pixels per image (width x height) | Price per output image |
| --- | --- |
| up to 4,096 (64x64) | $0.033 |
| 4,097 to 9,216 (up to 96x96) | $0.0353 |
| 9,217 to 16,384 (up to 128x128) | $0.04 |
| 16,385 to 36,864 (up to 192x192) | $0.0518 |
| 36,865 to 65,536 (up to 256x256) | $0.0683 |
| 65,537 to 102,400 (up to 320x320) | $0.0906 |
| above 102,400 | $0.117 |

**Small styles** (`low_res`, `topdown_item`, `skill_icon`, `mc_item`, `mc_texture`):

| Output pixels per image (width x height) | Price per output image |
| --- | --- |
| up to 256 (16x16) | $0.0283 |
| 257 to 1,024 (up to 32x32) | $0.0295 |
| 1,025 to 4,096 (up to 64x64) | $0.0353 |
| 4,097 to 9,216 (up to 96x96) | $0.0459 |
| above 9,216 | $0.06 |

**Classic style** (`classic`):

| Output pixels per image (width x height) | Price per output image |
| --- | --- |
| up to 1,024 (32x32) | $0.0295 |
| 1,025 to 4,096 (up to 64x64) | $0.0353 |
| 4,097 to 9,216 (up to 96x96) | $0.0459 |
| 9,217 to 16,384 (up to 128x128) | $0.06 |
| above 16,384 | $0.10 |

- The default (`default` style, 256 x 256) is $0.0683 per image. `num_images` multiplies the cost.
- If the style family or the image size is not reported, the image can be billed at up to the highest price above.
- **Example cost**: one 128 x 128 image (16,384 pixels) in the default style at $0.04, so 40 units ($0.04).
- **Failed or cancelled predictions are not billed.**
- **GET requests to check prediction status** are free and don't count toward API unit usage.
- **No monthly subscription fee.**

## API Documentation

### Base URL
All API requests go to: `https://prod.api.market/api/v1/magicapi/high-quality-pixel-art-generator-retro-diffusion-rd-plus`

### Authentication
Send your api.market API key in the `x-api-market-key` header:
```
x-api-market-key: YOUR_API_MARKET_KEY
```

### Asynchronous Processing
**IMPORTANT**: This API is asynchronous. The flow is:
1. Send a POST request to `/predictions`. A successful request returns **201 Created** with a prediction `id` and a `status` of `starting` or `processing`.
2. Poll GET `/predictions/{id}` with that ID.
3. Keep polling while `status` is `starting` or `processing`.
4. Stop when `status` is `succeeded` (read `output`), `failed` or `canceled` (read `error`).

A polling interval of 1 second and an overall timeout of 600 seconds (10 minutes) work well.

### Endpoints

#### Create a Prediction
```bash
curl -X POST "https://prod.api.market/api/v1/magicapi/high-quality-pixel-art-generator-retro-diffusion-rd-plus/predictions" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-market-key: YOUR_API_MARKET_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "version": "retro-diffusion/rd-plus",
    "input": {
      "style": "default",
      "width": 128,
      "height": 128,
      "prompt": "A quiet lakeside village with small wooden houses, green trees and a blue sky",
      "tile_x": false,
      "tile_y": false,
      "strength": 0.8,
      "remove_bg": false,
      "num_images": 1,
      "bypass_prompt_expansion": false
    }
  }'
```

Response (201 Created):
```json
{
  "id": "n2v3ajfnq1rmr0d1ngj8vkhq40",
  "version": "retro-diffusion/rd-plus",
  "status": "starting",
  "created_at": "2026-11-05T14:37:45.784Z"
}
```

#### Check Prediction Status
```bash
curl -X GET "https://prod.api.market/api/v1/magicapi/high-quality-pixel-art-generator-retro-diffusion-rd-plus/predictions/{id}" \
  -H "x-api-market-key: YOUR_API_MARKET_KEY"
```

Response when the prediction has finished (200 OK):
```json
{
  "id": "n2v3ajfnq1rmr0d1ngj8vkhq40",
  "status": "succeeded",
  "output": [
    "https://blog.api.market/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/rd-plus-output-n2v3ajfn-api-market.png"
  ],
  "error": null,
  "created_at": "2026-11-05T14:37:45.784Z",
  "started_at": "2026-11-05T14:37:45.794Z",
  "completed_at": "2026-11-05T14:37:48.772Z"
}
```

`output` is a list of image URLs (PNG), one per generated image.

### Status Codes
- **201 Created**: prediction created (POST `/predictions`). This is the normal success response.
- **200 OK**: prediction details returned (GET `/predictions/{id}`).
- **400 Bad Request**: invalid input, for example a missing `prompt` or a `style` that is not in the list.
- **401 Unauthorized**: missing or invalid API key.
- **404 Not Found**: no prediction with that ID.
- **429 Too Many Requests**: rate limit exceeded.
- **500 Internal Server Error** or **503 Service Unavailable**: temporary server problem; retry later.

## Rate Limits
Requests are rate limited to keep usage fair. If you receive a 429 response, wait and retry with exponential backoff.

## Error Handling
- Check the HTTP status code of every request and read the response body for the error message.
- A prediction can also end with `status` set to `failed`; the `error` field then explains why. Failed predictions are not billed.
- Retry 429, 500 and 503 responses with exponential backoff. Fix the input before retrying a 400.

## Implementation Guide
### Example Code

#### JavaScript
```javascript
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_MARKET_KEY";
const baseUrl = "https://prod.api.market/api/v1/magicapi/high-quality-pixel-art-generator-retro-diffusion-rd-plus";

async function createAndWaitForPrediction(input) {
  const response = await fetch(`${baseUrl}/predictions`, {
    method: "POST",
    headers: {
      "Content-Type": "application/json",
      "x-api-market-key": apiKey
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({ version: "retro-diffusion/rd-plus", input })
  });

  if (response.status !== 201) {
    throw new Error(`API error: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`);
  }

  const prediction = await response.json();
  return pollForResults(prediction.id);
}

const delay = (ms) => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));

async function pollForResults(predictionId) {
  const maxTimeout = 600000;
  const pollInterval = 1000;
  const startTime = Date.now();

  while (Date.now() - startTime < maxTimeout) {
    const response = await fetch(`${baseUrl}/predictions/${predictionId}`, {
      headers: { "x-api-market-key": apiKey }
    });

    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error(`API error: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`);
    }

    const prediction = await response.json();

    if (prediction.status === "succeeded") {
      return prediction.output;
    }

    if (prediction.status === "failed" || prediction.status === "canceled") {
      throw new Error(`Prediction ${prediction.status}: ${prediction.error || "Unknown error"}`);
    }

    await delay(pollInterval);
  }

  throw new Error("Prediction timed out after 10 minutes");
}

createAndWaitForPrediction({
  "style": "default",
  "width": 128,
  "height": 128,
  "prompt": "A quiet lakeside village with small wooden houses, green trees and a blue sky",
  "tile_x": false,
  "tile_y": false,
  "strength": 0.8,
  "remove_bg": false,
  "num_images": 1,
  "bypass_prompt_expansion": false
}).then((output) => console.log(output));
```

#### Python
```python
import time
import requests

API_KEY = "YOUR_API_MARKET_KEY"
BASE_URL = "https://prod.api.market/api/v1/magicapi/high-quality-pixel-art-generator-retro-diffusion-rd-plus"


def create_and_wait_for_prediction(input_data):
    headers = {"Content-Type": "application/json", "x-api-market-key": API_KEY}
    response = requests.post(
        f"{BASE_URL}/predictions",
        headers=headers,
        json={"version": "retro-diffusion/rd-plus", "input": input_data},
    )

    if response.status_code != 201:
        raise Exception(f"API error: {response.status_code} {response.text}")

    return poll_for_results(response.json()["id"])


def poll_for_results(prediction_id):
    max_timeout = 600
    poll_interval = 1
    headers = {"x-api-market-key": API_KEY}
    start_time = time.time()

    while time.time() - start_time < max_timeout:
        response = requests.get(f"{BASE_URL}/predictions/{prediction_id}", headers=headers)

        if response.status_code != 200:
            raise Exception(f"API error: {response.status_code} {response.text}")

        prediction = response.json()

        if prediction["status"] == "succeeded":
            return prediction["output"]

        if prediction["status"] in ("failed", "canceled"):
            raise Exception(f"Prediction {prediction['status']}: {prediction.get('error') or 'Unknown error'}")

        time.sleep(poll_interval)

    raise Exception("Prediction timed out after 10 minutes")


print(create_and_wait_for_prediction({
    "style": "default",
    "width": 128,
    "height": 128,
    "prompt": "A quiet lakeside village with small wooden houses, green trees and a blue sky",
    "tile_x": False,
    "tile_y": False,
    "strength": 0.8,
    "remove_bg": False,
    "num_images": 1,
    "bypass_prompt_expansion": False
}))
```

## FAQ
- **Which style should I use?**
  - `isometric`, `topdown_map` and `environment` for scenes and maps; `isometric_asset`, `topdown_asset`, `item_sheet` and `skill_icon` for game assets; `character_turnaround` for sprites from several angles; `default` for general pixel art.
- **How is the price calculated?**
  - Per output image, by style family and pixel count (width x height), rounded up to a whole $0.001 unit per request. The 128 x 128 example in the default style cost $0.04.
- **How big can the images be?**
  - `width` and `height` from 16 to 384 pixels each. The default is 256 x 256.
- **Can I start from my own image?**
  - Yes. Pass `input_image` and set `strength`, or pass `input_palette` to guide the colors.
- **What if my prediction fails?**
  - Failed predictions are not billed. Read the `error` field, adjust the input and try again.

## Contact Us
If you have any questions, reach out to us through the chat on the bottom right of the page.


Generate high-quality pixel art with Retro Diffusion RD Plus, in 19 styles including isometric, top-down maps and skill icons. From $0.0283 per image, pay as you go.