Macroblock glitch effect for compression-style images

Macroblock flattens image regions into grid-aligned blocks, reduces their color steps, and copies some block colors from nearby positions. Seam darkening makes the grid more visible.

Compare a patch with fine detail before and after the effect. Each block takes a sampled color, while Color steps further simplifies its tonal values.

Creative applications

• Build a deliberately compressed-looking cover image.
• Turn a photographic detail into a coarse graphic texture.

Starting workflow

1. Open Macroblock and choose Block size to set the visible grid.
2. Adjust Color steps to simplify tones, then compare Copied blocks and Copy reach.
3. Set Seam darkening for subtle divisions or a pronounced grid.
4. Reduce Mix if the source becomes too abstract, then export.

Key controls

Color steps

Lower the color steps to flatten shading within the block grid.

Default: 8 · Range: 0 to 32

Mix

Blend the Macroblock result with its input after the main treatment is established.

Default: 100% · Range: 0% to 100%

Practical tips

• Use Block Displacement instead when you want moved patches to retain their internal detail.
• Compare the result at thumbnail size before committing to a coarse block pattern.
• Use a gradient to judge Color steps and a detailed edge to judge Block size; they simplify the image in different ways.

Limitations

• This simulates compression-style artifacts visually. It does not encode damaged JPEG or video data.