PixelCrypt

PixelCrypt is a simple Python application that encodes text into an RGB image and decodes the image back into text.

PixelCrypt 2.1 improves the encoding system by using all three RGB channels, allowing up to three characters to be stored in each pixel.

This version also keeps the modern graphical interface built with CustomTkinter, providing a simple and user-friendly workflow for encoding and decoding.

• Encode text into an RGB image
• Decode text from an encoded image
• Store up to 3 characters per pixel using Red, Green, and Blue channels
• Approximately 3x the character capacity compared with the previous Red-only method
• Modern graphical user interface
• Encode / Decode mode switching
• Save images as PNG
• Custom save location
• Custom file name
• Automatic .png extension
• Image preview after encoding
• Decoded text preview
• File browser for selecting images and save locations
• Input validation and error handling

The application provides a simple single-window interface with separate Encode and Decode modes.

• Enter the text you want to encode
• Select the output folder
• Choose a file name
• Generate the encoded RGB image
• Preview the generated image directly in the application
• Store characters across the Red, Green, and Blue channels

• Select an encoded image
• Read the Red, Green, and Blue channels in the same order used during encoding
• Decode the hidden text
• View the decoded text directly inside the application

PixelCrypt/
│
├── Main.py
├── GUI.py
├── rgb_encoder.py
├── rgb_decoder.py
├── requirements.txt
└── README.md

• Python 3.10+
• Pillow
• CustomTkinter

Install the required packages with:

pip install -r requirements.txt

To launch the graphical interface:

python GUI.py

The terminal encoder and decoder can also be run directly:

python rgb_encoder.py
python rgb_decoder.py

PixelCrypt stores characters directly inside the three channels of an RGB image.

Each character is converted to its numeric character code and stored in one RGB channel:

Character → Character Code → RGB Channel → Pixel

Each pixel can store up to three characters:

Character 1 → Red
Character 2 → Green
Character 3 → Blue

For example, a pixel can contain:

(R, G, B) = (72, 101, 108)

which represents:

H → 72
e → 101
l → 108

During decoding, PixelCrypt reads the channels in the same order:

Red → Green → Blue

and converts the stored values back into characters.

Because three channels are used instead of only the red channel, the new method can store up to three characters per pixel.

The required number of pixels is calculated from the number of characters:

pixels = ceil(characters / 3)

The generated image is then created as a square large enough to contain those pixels.

For example:

Text length: 300 characters
Required pixels: 100
Image size: 10 × 10
Capacity: 300 characters

The current encoding method stores character codes directly inside RGB channels, and each channel can store values from 0 to 255.

Therefore, characters with Unicode code points greater than 255 cannot be encoded.

The current decoder also uses 0 as the marker for unused RGB channels in the final pixel.

• Added RGB encoding using Red, Green, and Blue channels
• Increased storage capacity to up to 3 characters per pixel
• Updated terminal encoder
• Updated terminal decoder
• Updated GUI encoder
• Updated GUI decoder
• Updated capacity calculation
• Updated documentation

• Added CustomTkinter graphical interface
• Added image preview
• Added Encode / Decode mode switching
• Added file browser
• Added input validation
• Improved user experience
• Added decoded text display

• Initial terminal-based version
• Text encoding and decoding
• PNG image output
• Custom save location and file name

This project is for educational and personal use.