What is ASCIIOM?

ASCIIOM is a web-based system for creating generative ASCII art animations. It combines mathematical patterns, color gradients, and monospace typography to produce real-time visual effects that can be exported as JSON, PNG sequences, or scalable SVG files.

Generator vs Player

Generator: Create new animations from scratch. Randomize patterns, blend layers, adjust colors, and export your creations as JSON files. Think of it as your creative workspace.

Player: Load your saved animations from the library, play them back, adjust playback speed, and export final renders as PNG/SVG sequences. Think of it as your performance and export tool.

First Steps

1. Open the Generator and click "Randomize All" a few times to see what's possible
2. Click "Export" to save your animation as a JSON file
3. Place the JSON file in player/saves/
4. Open the Player — your animation will appear in the gallery
5. Click it to load and play

Understanding the Interface

Both apps share a collapsible side panel. Hover or tap any button below to see what it does.

ASCIIOM includes 30+ generative patterns across four categories. Combine them using the Blend system for complex layered animations.

Mathematical Patterns

Simulation Patterns

Organic Patterns

Geometric Patterns

Font Selection

ASCIIOM supports four Google Fonts:

• Space Mono: Angular, geometric, strong density contrast
• IBM Plex Mono: Clean, humanist, works well at small sizes
• Source Code Pro: Neutral, readable, classic code aesthetic
• Courier Prime: Typewriter feel, wide, good for sparse charsets

Character Set Design

Different charsets create vastly different aesthetics:

• Dense: █▓▒░ — High contrast, retro terminal
• Sparse: ===[ ]::: — Minimal, architectural
• Organic: @%#*+=-:. — Traditional ASCII gradation
• Single: █ or ● — Solid fills

Text Overlay

Add text on top of your animation for titles or watermarks:

• Scale X/Y: Stretch text horizontally or vertically
• Character Shift: Rotate through charset based on underlying brightness
• Color Shift: Shift hue based on position
• Override Charset: Use a different charset just for overlay characters

Export JSON (Generator)

1. Click Export in the Generator
2. Save the JSON file to player/saves/
3. Refresh the Player

Export SVG Frame (Player)

1. Pause the animation
2. Click Frame SVG
3. SVG downloads immediately

Export Sequence (Player)

1. Set Duration and FPS
2. Choose PNG, SVG, or both
3. Click Export Sequence
4. ZIP file downloads when complete

File Sizes

• PNG: ~400KB per frame
• SVG: ~80KB per frame
• 5 seconds @ 30 FPS = ~60MB (PNG) or ~12MB (SVG)

Generator

• Space — Randomize All
• R — Randomize Pattern
• C — Randomize Colors
• T — Randomize Charset

Player

• Space — Play / Pause
• ← / → — Previous / Next
• F — Fit to window
• R — Reset camera

Pro Tips

• Lock dimensions before randomizing to keep grid size consistent
• Use mirror modes (X, Y, or XY) for instant symmetry
• Combine multiple patterns at low weights (0.1–0.3) for rich textures
• Different timeMult values across blend slots create evolving relationships
• The charset has more impact on the final look than almost any other parameter