img2txt

Convert images to colored text-based art

TLDR

Convert image with specific output width (columns)

$ img2txt -W [10] [path/to/image]

Convert image with specific output height (lines)

$ img2txt -H [5] [path/to/image]

Set output font width

$ img2txt -x [12] [path/to/image]

Set output font height

$ img2txt -y [14] [path/to/image]

Convert image to HTML format

$ img2txt -f html [path/to/image] > [output.html]

img2txt converts images to colored text-based art using character patterns and terminal colors. It is part of the libcaca library. It supports PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, and other common image formats. Default output is 60 columns wide with height calculated to preserve aspect ratio.The tool can produce output in various formats including ANSI terminal codes, HTML, IRC color codes, and plain text. The resulting ASCII art can be displayed in terminals or embedded in documents.

PARAMETERS

-W, --width COLS

Set output width in columns

-H, --height LINES

Set output height in lines

-x, --font-width PIXELS

Set assumed font width for aspect ratio (default 6)

-y, --font-height PIXELS

Set assumed font height for aspect ratio (default 10)

-b, --brightness VALUE

Adjust brightness (default 1.0)

-c, --contrast VALUE

Adjust contrast (default 1.0)

-g, --gamma VALUE

Adjust gamma (default 1.0)

-d, --dither ALGORITHM

Dithering algorithm (none, ordered2, ordered4, ordered8, random, fstein)

-f, --format FORMAT

Output format: ansi, utf8, html, html3, irc, bbfr, ps, svg, tga, caca (default ansi).

-v, --version

Show version information.

-h, --help

Display help.

INSTALL

sudo apt install caca-utils

sudo dnf install caca-utils

sudo apk add libcaca-apps

sudo zypper install caca-utils

CAVEATS

Output quality depends on terminal capabilities and font characteristics. Wide characters or non-monospace fonts will distort the output. Color support varies by terminal emulator.

HISTORY

img2txt is part of libcaca, a graphics library for text terminals created by Sam Hocevar. The library was first released in 2003 and has been used in various projects including VLC media player for ASCII video rendering.