About

This Glitch Effect Generator is a specialized image processing engine designed to simulate digital signal failure, data corruption, and analog video artifacts. Unlike simple filters that apply a uniform overlay, this tool performs algorithmic manipulation of pixel data via the HTML5 Canvas API.

Accuracy in glitch art relies on controlled chaos. By utilizing a PRNG (Pseudo-Random Number Generator) with a custom seed, this tool allows for deterministic reproducibility - meaning you can recreate the exact same artifact pattern on high-resolution exports. Key techniques include RGB channel separation, scanline displacement (shifting rows of pixels horizontally), and high-frequency noise injection.

Use cases include cyberpunk aesthetic design, datamoshing simulation for UI mockups, and artistic photo manipulation. The engine processes images locally in your browser, ensuring high performance and privacy without server-side compression.

Formulas

The core displacement logic uses a seeded random generator to determine the horizontal shift Δx for a given strip of height h.

{

I_new(x,y) = I(x + Δx, y)where Δx ∈ [−MAX, MAX]

For RGB Channel Shifting, the pixel color C at position p is reconstructed by sampling channels from spatially offset coordinates:

{

R = Source(x + k_r, y)_redG = Source(x, y)_greenB = Source(x + k_b, y)_blue

The Pseudo-Random Number Generator (LCG) follows the recurrence relation:

X_n+1 = (aX_n + c) mod m

Reference Data

Parameter	Technical Definition	Visual Impact	Typical Range
RGB Shift	offset(r, g, b) along x-axis	Creates chromatic aberration (color fringing).	2 - 25 px
Slice Height	dy (vertical segment size)	Determines thickness of displaced horizontal bands.	5 - 10 %
Jitter	Random deviation ε applied to offset	Adds high-frequency noise/shaking to edges.	0.0 - 1.0
Scanlines	Periodic intensity modulation	Simulates CRT monitor refresh lines.	2 - 4 px gap
Seed	Initial state S₀ for LCG	Controls the random number sequence. Same seed = Same glitch.	Z (Integer)
Blend Mode	f(source, dest)	How the glitch layer mixes with the original signal.	Multiply, Overlay, Screen

Frequently Asked Questions

The glitch algorithms are pixel-coordinate based. If the canvas rendering context scales, the pixel mapping shifts. However, this tool maintains the internal resolution of your uploaded image to ensure the seed produces consistent results on the export, regardless of the screen preview size.

Computers cannot generate true randomness. They use a "seed" number to start a sequence of calculations. By manually setting the seed (e.g., to '12345'), you force the generator to produce the exact same sequence of "random" slices and shifts every time, allowing you to fine-tune other parameters without losing a specific pattern you like.

Yes. The engine respects the Alpha channel. However, extreme displacement effects might shift non-transparent pixels into transparent areas, creating a "tearing" effect that is aesthetically desirable in glitch art.

Lower the "Amount" slider to < 5, increase "Scanlines" opacity, and most importantly, change the Blend Mode to "Overlay" or "Soft Light". This applies the texture without completely displacing the subject geometry.