Pixel Patterns from Quantization Artifacts of Forward Affine Mapping

Abstract

A new algorithmic technique for generating beautiful raster-based patterns is presented. The technique is quite simple and generates both periodic and aperiodic patterns. The technique is based on the phenomenon of unpainted pixels that occur sometimes in forward affine 2D texture mapping where, under certain conditions, the unpainted pixels are distributed in well-organized, eye-pleasing patterns. These patterns are intrinsically discrete, and they perform well even under low spatial and color resolution conditions, which makes the technique a good alternative to hand-designed decorating patterns commonly known as pixel patterns.

Acknowledgments

The author thanks M. Alkarouri for his valuable discussions, and thanks the editor and reviewers for their useful notes and suggestions. Special thanks to Safa Isam for her early encouragement of this research.