A signal lattice: square dots on a fixed grid, all the same size, packed solid through the dark body of the picture and breaking into a scatter as the tone rises. The picture stays visible underneath, so the lattice reads as an overlay rather than a rendering. Replace the image or video, then edit the grid, the tonal window, the ink and the dot opacity.
How this texture works
Grid Signal lays a lattice of small square dots over your image or video. Every dot is the same size and sits on a fixed grid. In the dark parts of the picture the dots pack solid, and as the tone gets lighter they break up into a scatter and then disappear. The photo stays visible underneath and the dots use a pale cyan ink, so the result reads as a signal overlay on top of the picture.
Tips
- Columns sets the spacing of the grid. Fewer columns give large, graphic dots; more columns give a fine screen.
- Dither controls how the dots break up in the midtones. Lower it for harder edges between packed and empty areas.
- Change Ink to recolour the dots. Light inks read best over dark photos.
- Lower Character opacity to let more of the photo show through the lattice.
Questions
How do I add a dot matrix overlay to an image?
Load your picture into the Image slot. The dots appear in the darker areas and fade out in the highlights. Columns sets their size and Character opacity sets how strong the overlay is.
Can I use a different dot shape?
Yes. The dots are characters from the Character ramp, so you can type other symbols, such as round dots or plus signs, in place of the squares.