Scatter Effect
The Scatter effect adds dithering patterns and noise to your ASCII art, creating texture and visual interest. It's particularly useful for adding organic feel or retro aesthetics.
Overview
Scatter works by applying pattern-based modifications to your artwork:
- Four pattern types to choose from
- Adjustable strength for subtle or dramatic effects
- Blend colors option for color mixing
- Live preview to see changes in real-time
Scatter is based on dithering techniques used in traditional graphics processing, adapted for ASCII art.
Using the Scatter Effect
Pattern Types
Noise Dithering
Pseudo-random noise pattern that creates a natural, organic texture.
Characteristics:
- Position-based (deterministic, same input = same output)
- Natural, organic appearance
- Breaks up color banding
- No visible repetition
Best for:
- Photographs converted to ASCII
- Natural textures
- Gradients
- Avoiding visible patterns
Bayer 2×2
A 2×2 repeating matrix pattern with a classic halftone look.
Characteristics:
- Visible, structured pattern
- 4 distinct threshold levels
- Checkerboard-like structure
- Retro/vintage aesthetic
Best for:
- Retro effects
- 2-8 color palettes
- Newspaper/comic book look
- High contrast images
Bayer 4×4
A 4×4 repeating matrix pattern, smoother than 2×2.
Characteristics:
- Less visible than 2×2
- 16 distinct threshold levels
- Smoother color transitions
- Professional halftone look
Best for:
- Professional halftone printing style
- 8-16 color palettes
- Smooth gradients
- Medium-detail work
Gaussian
Gaussian-distributed noise for natural variation.
Characteristics:
- Bell-curve distribution
- More natural than uniform noise
- Concentrates changes near similar values
- Subtle, organic effect
Best for:
- Natural texture
- Soft effects
- Subtle color variation
- Atmospheric effects
Parameters
Strength
| Value | Effect |
|---|---|
| 0-20% | Subtle, barely visible |
| 20-40% | Light texture |
| 40-60% | Moderate effect |
| 60-80% | Strong dithering |
| 80-100% | Maximum effect |
Start with lower values and increase gradually. A little scatter often goes a long way.
Blend Colors
When enabled:
- Colors are mixed rather than replaced
- Creates smoother transitions
- More natural-looking results
- Better for gradients
When disabled:
- Colors are replaced wholesale
- Sharper, more distinct pattern
- Better for retro/pixel art look
- Clearer pattern visibility
Workflow Examples
Add Texture to Flat Colors
- Open Scatter effect
- Select Noise pattern
- Set Strength to 15-25%
- Enable Blend Colors
- Apply
Result: Subtle organic texture without changing overall appearance
Retro Halftone Effect
Natural Photo Texture
For ASCII art converted from photos:
- Select Noise or Gaussian pattern
- Enable Blend Colors
- Set Strength to 20-30%
- Apply for natural variation
Pattern Comparison
| Pattern | Visibility | Regularity | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | Low | Random | Natural texture |
| Bayer 2×2 | High | Ordered | Retro/visible |
| Bayer 4×4 | Medium | Ordered | Professional |
| Gaussian | Low | Random | Soft effects |
Timeline Mode
Apply scatter to all frames:
- Enable "Apply to all frames"
- Configure pattern and strength
- Click Apply
- All frames receive the same scatter effect
For animations, Timeline Mode ensures consistent texture across all frames.
Combining with Other Effects
Recommended Order
Apply effects in this sequence for best results:
- Levels - Brightness/contrast
- Hue & Saturation - Color adjustments
- Remap Colors - Color replacement
- Remap Characters - Character changes
- Scatter - Texture (last)
Applying Scatter before color adjustments may produce unexpected results as the scatter pattern can interfere with color operations.
With Color Effects
- Apply color adjustments first
- Then add scatter for texture
- Scatter works with the colors as they are
With Character Effects
- Remap characters before scatter
- Scatter modifies final character set
- Order affects final appearance
Tips
- Start subtle - Begin with low strength (15-25%)
- Match the style - Use Bayer for retro, Noise for natural
- Preview often - Toggle preview to compare
- Consider context - Heavy scatter on some elements, none on others
- Save first - Backup before applying major scatter effects
Troubleshooting
Effect Too Strong
- Reduce strength value
- Try a different pattern
- Enable Blend Colors for softer results
Pattern Too Visible
- Switch from Bayer to Noise or Gaussian
- Reduce strength
- Enable Blend Colors
Colors Look Wrong
- Check Blend Colors setting
- Ensure color effects were applied first
- Verify strength isn't too high