Glitch-Editor

A live image/picture/webcam editor with timeline features leveraging OpenCV for effects

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Glitch Mirror

Python 3.8+ License: MIT OpenCV

A real-time video effects editor with face detection, custom masks, and data visualization overlays. Apply glitch effects, textures, and visual filters to webcam feeds, videos, or images.

Glitch Mirror Demo

More Examples
Example 1 Example 2
Example 3 Example 4
Example 5 Example5

Features

Real-Time Face Detection & Tracking

  • Face detection using OpenCV Haar Cascades
  • Persistent tracking IDs across frames
  • Detects: faces, eyes, bodies, upper bodies, smiles, cat faces, license plates
  • Per-face effect application with independent effect stacks

40+ Visual Effects

Category Effects
Distortion Glitch, Wave Distort, Kaleidoscope, Mirror, Drunk, Spiral Warp
Color Thermal, Color Shift, RGB Split, Chromatic Aberration, Duotone
Artistic Cartoon, Sketch, Oil Paint, Emboss, Posterize
Retro VHS, Film Grain, Scanlines, CRT
Blur/Pixel Pixelate, Blur, Motion Blur, Radial Blur
Glow Neon Glow, Edge Glow, Edge Highlight
Special Negative, Halftone, Prism, Double Vision

Effect System

  • Effect Stacking: Layer multiple effects on the same region
  • Baking: Permanently apply effect stacks to detected faces
  • Video/Image Textures: Overlay media onto faces with blend modes
  • Restore Original: Cut through all effects to show clean image

Custom Masks

  • Create rectangle or ellipse mask regions
  • Drag and resize masks in preview window
  • Apply any effect within mask boundaries
  • Invert masks to apply effects outside region

Data Visualization

  • Styled detection boxes (cyberpunk, matrix, HUD, thermal, neon)
  • Connection lines between faces with custom colors
  • Connection groups with different colors per group
  • Labels, IDs, and coordinate overlays
  • Animated pulse effects and scan lines

Input/Output

  • Input: Webcam, Video files (MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV), Images (JPG, PNG)
  • Output: Video (MP4), Images, GIF export

Installation

Prerequisites

  • Python 3.8 or higher
  • ffmpeg (for video rendering)

Quick Start

  1. Clone the repository

    git clone https://github.com/Sad-Sun678/Glitch-Editor.git
cd Glitch-Editor

  2. Install dependencies

    pip install -r requirements.txt

  3. Install ffmpeg (required for video export)

    • Windows: Download from ffmpeg.org and add to PATH
    • macOS: brew install ffmpeg
    • Linux: sudo apt install ffmpeg

  4. Run the application

    python main.py

Usage

Starting the Application

python main.py

On launch, you'll be prompted to select an input source:

  • Webcam: Use your camera for live effects
  • Video File: Load an MP4, AVI, or other video
  • Image: Load a static image

Keyboard Shortcuts

Key Action
Q Quit application
; Save current frame with effects
Space Pause/resume video
R Start/stop recording

Basic Workflow

  1. Detect Faces: Click "Detect Now" or enable continuous detection
  2. Select Faces: Choose faces from the detection list and click "Select"
  3. Apply Effects: Choose an effect and click "Add to Stack"
  4. Bake or Render: Either bake effects permanently or render to video

Panel Guide

Detection Tab

Configure face detection and manage tracked objects.

  • Adjust detection sensitivity
  • Keep/unkeep detections for stable tracking
  • Single-shot mode for static images

Effects Tab

Apply visual effects to selected faces.

  • Effect dropdown with 40+ options
  • Parameter sliders for customization
  • Effect stacking system
  • Video/image texture overlays

Visualization Tab

Add data visualization overlays.

  • Box styles and colors
  • Connection lines between faces
  • Color groups for connections
  • Info panels and labels

Tools Tab

Advanced tools and export options.

  • Custom mask creation
  • GIF export settings
  • Preset management

Building Standalone Executable

Create a distributable .exe file:

pip install pyinstaller
python build/build_exe.py

The executable will be in dist/GlitchMirror/.

To distribute:

  1. Copy the entire GlitchMirror folder
  2. Ensure ffmpeg is available on target machine
  3. Run GlitchMirror.exe

Project Structure

glitch-mirror/
├── main.py                     # Application entry point
├── src/                        # Source code
│   ├── core/                   # Core modules
│   │   ├── __init__.py
│   │   ├── effects.py          # 40+ visual effect implementations
│   │   ├── object_detection.py # Face detection, tracking & region effects
│   │   └── performance.py      # Frame skipping & performance monitoring
│   ├── ui/                     # User interface modules
│   │   ├── __init__.py
│   │   ├── detection_panel.py  # Main control panel (detection, effects, viz)
│   │   ├── effect_control_panel.py  # Global effect controls
│   │   ├── audio_effects_panel.py   # Audio processing panel
│   │   └── timeline_panel.py   # Timeline controls for video
│   └── utils/                  # Utilities
│       ├── __init__.py
│       └── panel_utils.py      # Shared UI utilities & preset paths
├── build/                      # Build & packaging
│   ├── build_exe.py            # PyInstaller build script
│   └── GlitchMirror.spec       # PyInstaller spec file
├── docs/                       # Documentation
│   └── CONTRIBUTING.md         # Contribution guidelines
├── presets/                    # Saved effect presets
├── screenshots/                # Documentation images
├── requirements.txt            # Python dependencies
├── LICENSE                     # MIT License
└── README.md                   # This file

Tips & Tricks

Better Performance

  • Lower detection sensitivity for faster processing
  • Disable unused detection types (eyes, bodies, etc.)
  • Use single-shot mode for static images

Stable Face Tracking

  • Click "Keep" on faces before applying effects
  • Kept faces maintain their IDs when moving
  • Effects auto-keep faces when applied

Best Results

  • Ensure good, even lighting on faces
  • Faces should be mostly frontal (not profile)
  • For videos, start with faces visible in first frame

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
No faces detected Improve lighting, face the camera directly
Effects not in render Ensure effects are stacked/baked, face effects enabled
ffmpeg not found Install ffmpeg and add to system PATH
Laggy performance Lower detection sensitivity, disable unused features
Tracking IDs changing Use "Keep" button on important detections
Program Crashing Don't do what you just did ever again

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

  • OpenCV - Computer vision and face detection
  • NumPy - Array processing
  • Pygame - Audio processing
  • Pillow - Image handling

Support

If you find this project useful, please consider giving it a star on GitHub!

For bugs and feature requests, please open an issue.

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