how it works
A photograph fades because its colour dyes break down at different rates. This simulation replays that process.
The three channel sliders control how fast each dye layer disappears:
spatial — how unevenly decay spreads across the image.
beyond 2026 — extends the fade past the measured endpoint toward a warm parchment state.
decay processes
edge diffusion — borders between distinct colour fields dissolve and bleed into one another.
form crumbler — stain-edge intensity: crystalline rim flecks, mould colonisation at the drying front, and lift shadow/highlight. not emulsion cracks.
growth — fungal colonies and mineral deposits at stain rims when crumbler is engaged.
mold settings (M)
Open the M panel to tune how mold looks and spreads:
patch size — diameter of colony clusters. opacity — overall mold strength. local tint — how much mold blends with the underlying photo colour. crumble gate — minimum crumble needed for mold to appear. start delay — when mold begins in the decay timeline. visibility — spread boost at low growth.
t1 / t2 / t3 set where the halo→body→core→deep layers transition. The five colour pickers set each layer plus the amber spore highlights.
Export / Import Settings — save the current look as a JSON preset and load it back later.
shortcuts
Space play / pause
← → step timeline by 5% (pauses)
Esc hide / show controls
your photo
Upload a picture and watch it age like a faded print — colours shift, wet stains spread, and the surface slowly cracks.
channels — how quickly reds, greens, and blues fade.
edge diffusion — colours bleed where stains meet.
form crumbler — stain-edge FX (rim flecks, mould, lift shadow).
growth — dark specks and patches in damaged areas.
reset — restore defaults and shuffle stain placement. shuffle — new stain placement only, keeps your settings.
save current — download a PNG at full upload resolution (stays on your device).
advanced settings
Open the sliders icon for fine tuning:
decay speed — how fast damage spreads across the print.
seed density — how many stains appear (few to many).
seed size — how large each stain footprint is.
moisture — wet halo size; more water, more bleed and flow.
staining — overall yellow/brown chemical stain buildup.
mold diffusion — how far mold spreads from stain cores.
emulsion lift — peeled emulsion inside wet areas, with rim highlight and shadow.
shortcuts
Space play / pause
← → step timeline
Esc hide / show controls
D stain debug (cyan=seeds, yellow=rim gate, magenta=lift edge, blue=lift dome)
mold field
density layers
colours
advanced decay (uploaded image)
Seed density sets how many stains. Seed size sets min/max oval scale (200 = large shapes). Staining tints the whole print. Mold diffusion controls colony coverage. Other sliders update live.