Waifu2x-Extension-GUI: Upscale Images and Video

Overview

Waifu2x-Extension-GUI is a Windows x64 desktop application for improving or enlarging images, animated files, and video with neural-network-based super-resolution and denoising. It also interpolates video frames to increase smoothness, bringing several processing algorithms and engines together behind one graphical interface.

It is aimed at people who want to enhance anime art or everyday media without configuring each underlying tool separately. Its preset settings and support for multiple GPU vendors make it useful for varied Windows hardware, though the available algorithms and performance depend on the selected engine and machine.

Key Features

• Upscales and denoises images, GIFs, APNG, WebP, and video.
• Offers super-resolution algorithms including Waifu2x, Real-ESRGAN, Real-CUGAN, Anime4K, SRMD, RealSR, ACNet, and RTX Video Super Resolution.
• Interpolates video frames using RIFE, IFRNet, CAIN, or DAIN.
• Provides built-in processing engines for different algorithms, including NCNN-Vulkan and CUDA options.
• Supports AMD, Nvidia, and Intel GPUs, with multi-GPU support for built-in engines.
• Includes presets, configurable engine settings, and options to automate processing workflows.
• Can process images, animated formats, and video in the same application.

Use Cases

• Anime fans can enlarge low-resolution artwork or animation and reduce visible noise.
• Video editors can upscale footage and interpolate frames when preparing smoother or larger video output.
• Photographers can try neural upscaling and denoising on everyday images using different built-in algorithms.
• Users with mixed media collections can handle images, animated files, and video through one Windows GUI rather than assembling separate tools.

Getting Started

Download and unzip the latest portable Windows x64 build from the GitHub releases page, then start the application. See the README for setup and engine details.

Alternatives

• REAL-Video-Enhancer: REAL-Video-Enhancer targets video processing across Windows, Linux, and macOS, while Waifu2x-Extension-GUI also handles images and GIFs.
• upscayl: Upscayl focuses on AI image upscaling, while Waifu2x-Extension-GUI also processes GIFs and video and supports frame interpolation.

Considerations

• The distributed application targets Windows x64. The README describes compatibility with Intel, AMD, and Nvidia GPUs, but processing options and performance depend on the hardware and engine.
• The project combines many algorithms and external processing engines, so choosing appropriate settings may take experimentation.
• The README states that the software is free for personal use only and directs commercial users to a Patreon premium version. The repository metadata lists the license as NOASSERTION, so verify the applicable terms before use.
• The application can check online for updates and download donation-tab assets. Its README says it does not upload user files or collect user data.