Stories with Tag ascii art

• Commodore 64 PETSCII Image (2022)

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  Posted: 2025-03-06 03:58:04

  Verbose tl;dr

  This blog post details the creation of a PETSCII image on a Commodore 64, using a Python script to convert a source image into the limited character set and colors available. The author outlines the challenges of working within these constraints, including the reduced resolution, fixed character sizes, and dithering required to simulate shades of gray. They explain the conversion process, which involves resizing and color reduction before mapping the image to the nearest matching PETSCII characters. Finally, the post demonstrates loading and displaying the resulting PETSCII data on a real Commodore 64, showcasing the final, retro-styled image.

  This Medium post, titled "Commodore 64 PETSCII Image (2022)," details the author's recent exploration into creating an image using PETSCII, the character set of the Commodore 64 home computer. The author begins by establishing the nostalgic appeal of the Commodore 64 and its distinct graphical capabilities, which were limited by the technology of the time. They then introduce the concept of PETSCII, explaining that it's not just a collection of standard alphanumeric characters, but also includes a variety of graphical symbols specifically designed for creating visuals on the C64's limited display. These symbols, often referred to as "block characters" or "screen codes," allowed users to construct rudimentary images and user interfaces.

  The author proceeds to outline their process of generating a PETSCII image. They describe utilizing a Python script they developed, which leverages the Pillow (PIL Fork) image processing library. This script takes a standard image file as input and meticulously analyzes it pixel by pixel. For each pixel in the input image, the script determines the closest matching color available within the restricted 16-color PETSCII palette. After identifying the appropriate color, the script then selects the PETSCII character that best represents that color and incorporates it into the output image. This complex process involves dithering techniques to simulate shades and gradients not directly representable within the limited color palette. The author also highlights the challenges encountered during development, specifically addressing the complexities of accurately mapping colors and selecting the appropriate PETSCII characters for optimal visual representation.

  The result of this process is a representation of the original image using only the available PETSCII characters, effectively recreating the image within the constraints of the Commodore 64's display capabilities. The author showcases the resulting PETSCII art and reflects on the satisfying blend of modern programming techniques and retro computing aesthetics. The post concludes with a sense of accomplishment and an appreciation for the enduring charm of the Commodore 64, demonstrating how its unique limitations can inspire creative solutions even in contemporary programming contexts.

  • Commodore 64
  • C64
  • PETSCII
  • Retro Computing
  • 8-bit
  • Pixel Art
  • graphics
  • Image Conversion
  • ascii art
  • vintage computing
  • digital art

  Summary of Comments ( 8 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43276251

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the Commodore 64 PETSCII image, primarily focusing on the technical aspects of its creation. Several commenters express fascination with the dithering technique employed, and some delve into the specifics of how such an image could be generated, including discussions about ordered dithering algorithms like Bayer and Floyd-Steinberg. Others reminisce about the C64's unique character set and color limitations, while a few share their own experiences and experiments with creating similar images. There's also a brief tangent about the challenges of representing images with limited palettes and the artistic value of these constraints. Overall, the comments reflect an appreciation for the technical ingenuity and artistic constraints of the era.

  The Hacker News post titled "Commodore 64 PETSCII Image (2022)" linking to a Medium article about creating PETSCII images has a modest number of comments, sparking a brief but interesting discussion.

  Several commenters reminisce about their experiences with the Commodore 64 and PETSCII. One user fondly recalls the challenges and limitations of working with PETSCII, describing the process of creating graphics with it as "painstaking" but also "rewarding." They highlight the creative constraints imposed by the limited character set and color palette, suggesting that these limitations fostered a unique kind of ingenuity.

  Another commenter notes the impressive technical feat of rendering complex images within the constraints of PETSCII, particularly considering the limited hardware capabilities of the Commodore 64. They express admiration for the skill and dedication required to achieve such results.

  The discussion also touches on the broader cultural significance of the Commodore 64 and its role in shaping early computer graphics. One commenter points out the historical importance of PETSCII as a precursor to more sophisticated graphics systems, emphasizing its influence on the development of digital art.

  A few comments delve into the technical details of PETSCII, explaining its character set and how it was used to create graphics on the Commodore 64. One user mentions using PETSCII to design title screens and in-game graphics for their own C64 games, offering a firsthand account of its practical applications.

  While not a lengthy discussion, the comments offer a mix of nostalgia, technical insight, and appreciation for the ingenuity involved in creating PETSCII art. They highlight the unique charm and technical challenges of working with this early form of computer graphics. There isn't a single overwhelmingly "compelling" comment that stands out above the rest, but collectively, they paint a picture of the enduring appeal of the Commodore 64 and the creative spirit it inspired.

• Bad Apple but it's 6,500 regexes that I search for in Vim

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  Posted: 2025-01-12 15:13:14

  Verbose tl;dr

  The author recreated the "Bad Apple!!" animation within Vim using an incredibly unconventional method: thousands of regular expressions. Instead of manipulating images directly, they constructed 6,500 unique regex searches, each designed to highlight specific character patterns within a specially prepared text file. When run sequentially, these searches effectively "draw" each frame of the animation by selectively highlighting characters that visually approximate the shapes and shading. This process is exceptionally slow and resource-intensive, pushing Vim to its limits, but results in a surprisingly accurate, albeit flickering, rendition of the iconic video entirely within the text editor.

  The blog post "Bad Apple but it's 6,500 regexes that I search for in Vim" details a complex and computationally intensive method of recreating the "Bad Apple" animation within the Vim text editor. The author's approach eschews traditional methods of animation or video playback, instead leveraging Vim's regex search functionality as the core mechanism for displaying each frame.

  The process begins with a pre-processed version of the Bad Apple video. Each frame of the original animation is converted into a simplified, monochrome representation. These frames are then translated into a series of approximately 6,500 unique regular expressions. Each regex is designed to match a specific pattern of characters within a specially prepared text buffer in Vim. This buffer acts as the canvas, filled with a grid of characters that represent the pixels of the video frame.

  The core of the animation engine is a Vim script. This script iterates through the sequence of pre-generated regexes. For each frame, the script executes a search using the corresponding regex. This search highlights the matching characters within the text buffer, effectively "drawing" the frame on the screen by highlighting the appropriate "pixels." The rapid execution of these searches, combined with the carefully crafted regexes, creates the illusion of animation.

  To further enhance the visual effect, the author utilizes Vim's highlighting capabilities. Matched characters, representing the black portions of the frame, are highlighted with a dark background, creating contrast against the unhighlighted characters, which represent the white portions. This allows for a clearer visual representation of each frame.

  Due to the sheer number of regex searches and the computational overhead involved, the animation playback is significantly slower than real-time. The author acknowledges this performance limitation, attributing it to the inherent complexities of regex processing within Vim. Despite this limitation, the project demonstrates a unique and inventive application of Vim's functionality, showcasing the versatility and, perhaps, the limitations of the text editor. The author also provides insights into their process of converting video frames to regex patterns and optimizing the Vim script for performance.

  • vim
  • regex
  • regular expressions
  • bad apple
  • animation
  • text-based animation
  • performance
  • optimization
  • scripting
  • vimscript
  • video
  • ascii art
  • command-line
  • terminal
  • Software Development
  • programming
  • video processing
  • image processing
  • text manipulation

  Summary of Comments ( 51 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42674116

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters generally expressed amusement and impressed disbelief at the author's feat of rendering Bad Apple!! in Vim using thousands of regex searches. Several pointed out the inefficiency and absurdity of the method, highlighting the vast difference between text manipulation and video rendering. Some questioned the practical applications, while others praised the creativity and dedication involved. A few commenters delved into the technical aspects, discussing Vim's handling of complex regex operations and the potential performance implications. One commenter jokingly suggested using this technique for machine learning, training a model on regexes to generate animations. Another thread discussed the author's choice of lossy compression for the regex data, debating whether a lossless approach would have been more appropriate for such an unusual project.

  The Hacker News post titled "Bad Apple but it's 6,500 regexes that I search for in Vim" (linking to an article describing the process of recreating the Bad Apple!! video using Vim regex searches) sparked a lively discussion with several interesting comments.

  Many commenters expressed amazement and amusement at the sheer absurdity and technical ingenuity of the project. One commenter jokingly questioned the sanity of the creator, reflecting the general sentiment of bewildered admiration. Several praised the creativity and dedication required to conceive and execute such a complex and unusual undertaking. The "why?" question was raised multiple times, albeit rhetorically, highlighting the seemingly pointless yet fascinating nature of the project.

  Some commenters delved into the technical aspects, discussing the efficiency (or lack thereof) of using regex for this purpose. They pointed out the computational intensity of repeatedly applying thousands of regular expressions and speculated on potential performance optimizations. One commenter suggested alternative approaches that might be less resource-intensive, such as using image manipulation libraries. Another discussed the potential for pre-calculating the matches to improve performance.

  A few commenters noted the historical precedent of using unconventional tools for creative endeavors, drawing parallels to other esoteric programming projects and "demoscene" culture. This placed the project within a broader context of exploring the boundaries of technology and artistic expression.

  Some users questioned the practical value of the project, while others argued that the value lies in the exploration and learning process itself, regardless of practical applications. The project was described as a fun experiment and a demonstration of technical skill and creativity.

  Several commenters expressed interest in the technical details of the implementation, asking about the specific regex patterns used and the mechanics of syncing the searches with the audio. This demonstrated a genuine curiosity about the inner workings of the project.

  Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of amusement, admiration, and technical curiosity. They highlight the project's unusual nature, its technical challenges, and its place within the broader context of creative coding and demoscene culture.