Scatter Effect
The Scatter effect displaces cells randomly using dithering patterns. It creates texture, noise, and organic visual interest.
Parameters
Strength
| Range | Default | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–400 | 50 | Maps to 0–10 cells of displacement. Higher values scatter cells farther from their original positions. |
Scatter Type
| Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
| Noise | Pseudo-random noise — natural, organic texture with no visible repetition |
| Bayer 2×2 | 2×2 repeating matrix — visible checkerboard structure, retro aesthetic |
| Bayer 4×4 | 4×4 repeating matrix — smoother than 2×2, professional halftone look |
| Gaussian | Gaussian-distributed noise — bell-curve displacement, subtle and organic |
Seed
| Range | Default | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–9999 | Random | Deterministic seed for Noise and Gaussian patterns. Same seed produces the same scatter. Bayer patterns are position-based and ignore the seed. |
Blend Colors
| Value | Effect |
|---|---|
| Off (default) | Displaced cells replace destination cells entirely |
| On | Colors are mixed with the canvas background, creating smoother transitions |
Info
When Blend Colors is enabled, the effect uses the canvas background color for blending. Set your canvas background color before applying for accurate results.
Keyframing
Strength and seed support numeric interpolation. Scatter type and blend colors use hold interpolation.
Pattern Comparison
| Pattern | Visibility | Regularity | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | Low | Random | Natural texture, gradients |
| Bayer 2×2 | High | Ordered | Retro effects, high contrast |
| Bayer 4×4 | Medium | Ordered | Professional halftone |
| Gaussian | Low | Random | Soft, atmospheric effects |
Tips
- Start with low strength (50–100) and increase gradually
- Bayer patterns produce visible structure; Noise/Gaussian are more organic
- Use seed keyframing to animate the scatter pattern over time
- Blend Colors works best with gradient-heavy artwork