OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Pixel Sort Effect
Sort Runs of Pixels by Brightness or Hue for Glitch Art, Horizontal or Vertical
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How the Pixel Sort Effect works
This pixel sort effect rearranges runs of pixels in each row or column by brightness or hue, creating the melting, streaked glitch art made famous by Kim Asendorf. Thresholds decide which parts of the photo smear and which stay sharp.
How the pixel sort effect works
The tool walks along every row or column and finds unbroken runs of pixels whose brightness falls between the two thresholds. Each run is sorted, so its colours line up from dark to light or by hue, while pixels outside the range stay in place.
Setting the thresholds
The thresholds are the main creative control. A narrow range sorts only midtones and leaves highlights and shadows crisp. A wide range turns most of the image into long streaks. Try a lower threshold of 25% and an upper of 80% as a starting point, then move them a few points at a time.
Direction, key and order
Vertical gives dripping, rain-like streaks, while Horizontal gives a wind-swept look. Sorting by Hue instead of brightness groups colours into rainbow bands. Reverse the order to flip which end of each streak is dark.
Private by design
Sorting runs on the canvas in your browser, and the photo is never uploaded.
FAQ
What is pixel sorting?
Pixel sorting is a glitch art technique where pixels in part of an image are reordered by a value such as brightness. The sorted runs become smooth gradients and streaks, while untouched areas keep the original photo.
Why does nothing seem to change?
If very few pixels fall between the thresholds, runs are short and the effect is subtle. Widen the gap between the lower and upper thresholds, or move the range to match the photo's main tones.
Which photos work best for pixel sorting?
Portraits with dark backgrounds, sunsets, city lights and colourful street scenes give dramatic results. Areas with gradual tone changes create long smooth streaks, while noisy textures make shorter runs.
Is the result the same size as my photo?
Yes. Pixels are only moved, never added or removed, so the output keeps the dimensions of the photo up to 2,400 pixels on the long side.
See also: all Images tools, Audio, Video & Screen, PDF, SVG, Simulations & Screensavers, Generative Art, Chart Makers, 3D Model Viewers, Drawing Pads, Mockups & 3D Making, Diagram Makers, 3D Science, Tracker Music.
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