Layer Masks, Text Layers & Shape Layers
v1.5 turns Ditther into a full composition tool. Add text and shape layers directly to your canvas, control which areas pixel effects apply to using masks, and build complete poster layouts — all in the browser without any other tool. Alongside layers, a set of new effects including motion blur, motion trails, mirror, and reeded glass.
What changed
New feature
Layer masks for pixel effects
Layer masks let you control exactly where pixel effects are visible on the canvas. Paint a mask to restrict the ASCII effect to just the subject of the photo, or invert it to apply halftone everywhere except the subject. Masks are resolution-independent — they scale with the canvas and export at full quality. You can combine multiple masks across layers for complex compositions.
New feature
Text layers
Add text directly to the canvas as a non-destructive layer. Choose from a library of fonts, set size, line height, letter spacing, colour, opacity, rotation, and font weight. Text layers support stroke, glow, and drop shadow. They can be positioned anywhere on the canvas and re-edited at any time. Font selection includes bold display fonts alongside monospace and editorial styles — suited to poster work.
New feature
Shape layers
Add geometric shapes — rectangles, circles, lines, and custom polygons — as individual canvas layers. Each shape has its own fill, stroke, opacity, and blend mode. Shapes can be used to frame compositions, add graphic elements, or create masked areas for effects. They're fully editable and export as part of the final image.
New feature
Motion blur effect
Motion blur renders your image with a directional smear — the angle and intensity are both adjustable. It works as a post-process effect layered on top of the pixel pass, so you can combine motion blur with dither, halftone, or any other effect. The result ranges from subtle camera shake to full abstract streaking depending on intensity.
New feature
Motion trails, Mirror & Reeded glass
Motion trails multiplies the image along a vector path, creating a ghost-trail effect. Mirror tiles the image in symmetrical reflections — horizontal, vertical, or quadrant — creating kaleidoscope-like compositions from any photo. Reeded glass distorts the image through vertical lens-refraction ridges, simulating the look of frosted architectural glass.
Full changelog
Added
- Layer masks — paint masks to control where pixel effects appear
- Text layers — font, size, weight, colour, stroke, glow, drop shadow
- Shape layers — rectangle, circle, line, polygon with fill and stroke
- Layers panel — reorder, hide, lock, and delete layers
- Motion blur effect — directional smear with adjustable angle and intensity
- Motion trails effect — ghost-trail multiplication along a vector path
- Mirror effect — horizontal, vertical, and quadrant symmetry tiling
- Reeded glass effect — frosted lens-refraction distortion
Improved
- Canvas rendering updated to composite layer stack before export
- Export now includes all active layers — text, shapes, and effects
- Animation preview updated to render layer stack correctly
Layers tip
For editorial poster work: set a background, apply a pixel effect to the image with a mask restricted to the subject, then add a text layer on top with a display font. You'll have a complete poster without leaving the browser.