ASCII Webcam Art

This repository contains a collection of Python scripts that transform your webcam feed into various forms of ASCII art. Each script offers a unique take on rendering your camera input as text-based visual art, with OpenCV used for positioning the "camera" on the face and displaying eyes in with special characters.

Scripts Overview

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a4847154-f4da-4df3-a484-d491e3d128b3

1. ascii_webcam_eyes.py

This script focuses on detecting and displaying eyes as emojis in an ASCII canvas.

Key features:

• Uses OpenCV for face and eye detection
• Displays detected eyes as eye emojis (👁️)
• Maintains a consistent 15 FPS for smooth performance
• Mirrors the webcam input for a more intuitive experience

2. ascii_yolo_webcam.py

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ed7acaf2-a416-428b-a168-d4d5b66b78af

This script provides a more detailed ASCII representation of the entire face, with special emphasis on eyes.

Key features:

• Uses YOLO (You Only Look Once) for face detection
• Employs OpenCV for eye detection within the face region
• Renders the face in ASCII characters with contrast and dithering options
• Highlights detected eyes in red
• Displays performance metrics and detection information

3. glitch_braille_cam.py

This script creates an artistic, glitch-like effect using Braille characters.

Key features:

• Renders the webcam feed using Braille characters
• Implements a datamoshing-like effect by blending frames
• Introduces random glitches for an artistic touch
• Provides a unique, abstract representation of the video feed

Key Differences

1. Detection Methods:

   • ascii_webcam_eyes.py uses simple OpenCV detection
   • ascii_yolo_webcam.py combines YOLO and OpenCV for more robust detection
   • glitch_braille_cam.py doesn't use specific feature detection

2. Rendering Style:

   • ascii_webcam_eyes.py focuses solely on rendering eyes
   • ascii_yolo_webcam.py renders the entire face in ASCII with eye highlights
   • glitch_braille_cam.py uses Braille characters for a more abstract representation

3. Performance:

   • ascii_webcam_eyes.py is optimized for performance, maintaining 15 FPS
   • ascii_yolo_webcam.py is more computationally intensive due to YOLO and detailed rendering
   • glitch_braille_cam.py balances between artistic effect and performance

4. Artistic Approach:

   • ascii_webcam_eyes.py is minimalistic, focusing on eye representation
   • ascii_yolo_webcam.py aims for a more complete and detailed ASCII portrait
   • glitch_braille_cam.py takes an abstract, glitch-art approach

Usage

To run any of the scripts, ensure you have the required dependencies installed, then execute the script using Python:

python script_name.py

Press 'q' to exit the program.

Enjoy exploring these different approaches to ASCII webcam art!