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Glitch Image Effect
Turn any picture into digital glitch art. Combine RGB channel split, sliced and shifted rows, VHS wave distortion, corrupt data blocks, scanlines and noise, hit Randomize for endless variations, and download the result in full resolution.
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How to use the Glitch Image Effect
- Add an image: drop, paste or choose a file. A neon sample is loaded so you can see the effect immediately.
- Choose a preset: Subtle, Digital, VHS, Data corrupt, Heavy or RGB split only.
- Adjust the sliders: RGB shift and direction, slices and offset, wave, corrupt blocks, scanlines and noise.
- Press Randomize glitch for new settings, or New pattern to keep the settings but reshuffle where the glitches land.
- Download your glitch art as PNG or JPG.
What each glitch control does
| Control | What happens to the pixels | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Shift | Red is sampled from one side, blue from the other, green stays in place | Colored fringes, 3D-glasses look |
| Direction | Angle of that shift: 0° horizontal, 90° vertical | Horizontal tears or vertical ghosting |
| Slices / offset | Random horizontal bands are moved sideways and wrap around | Broken signal, torn image |
| Wave | Each row is shifted along two overlapping sine waves plus random tracking jumps | VHS wobble |
| Corrupt blocks | Rectangles are copied from elsewhere, inverted, channel-swapped or tinted cyan / magenta | Damaged file, datamosh |
| Scanlines | Every other thin band of rows is darkened | CRT monitor, old TV |
| Noise | Random brightness grain is added to every pixel | Analog static |
Glitch art ideas
- Album and playlist covers: the Heavy preset on a high-contrast portrait gives an instant electronic-music look.
- Thumbnails and posters: use Subtle or RGB split only so faces and text stay readable.
- Retro edits: VHS plus a warm photo recreates the look of a home video.
- Series: keep the sliders fixed and press New pattern to create a set of matching but different images.
Tips
- Glitches stand out most on sharp edges and strong colors; flat, gray images give weaker results.
- Save as PNG to keep crisp scanlines; JPG compression smooths out fine lines and noise.
- Large photos are scaled to 3000 px on the longest side, which keeps the preview fast while still being print-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
How does the glitch effect work?
The tool rebuilds the image pixel by pixel. The red and blue channels are sampled from positions shifted in opposite directions (RGB split), whole rows are pushed sideways in random bands (slices) or along a sine wave (VHS wave), random rectangles are copied, inverted or channel-swapped (corrupt blocks), and finally scanlines and noise are added.
What is RGB split or chromatic aberration?
It is when the red, green and blue parts of an image do not line up, leaving colored fringes along edges. Real lenses and old video equipment produce it by accident; glitch art exaggerates it on purpose. The Shift slider sets the distance and Direction sets the angle.
Can I get the same glitch again?
Yes. Every result uses a numbered random pattern shown under the picture. The sliders and the pattern together always produce the same image, so you can tweak one slider without everything jumping around. Press New pattern only when you want a different arrangement.
How do I make a VHS effect?
Choose the VHS preset. It combines a gentle RGB split with a wavy horizontal distortion, strong scanlines and noise, which resembles a worn videotape. Raise Wave for more tracking wobble.
What resolution is the download?
The effect is rendered at the image's own size up to 3000 pixels on the longest side. Effect sizes scale with the image, so a glitch looks the same on a small preview and a large download.
Is my image uploaded?
No. Everything is computed locally in your browser with the Canvas API. Nothing is sent to a server.
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