Effects / Dither

Burkes Dither

The Burkes algorithm is a simplified version of the Stucki dither method. It offers a good balance between quality and performance by using a smaller diffusion matrix while maintaining smooth gradient reproduction.

dither-burkesPro

Effect ID: dither-burkes

Example Configuration

burkes.json

{
  "effectId": "dither-burkes",
  "dither": {
    "pattern": "burkes",
    "pixelation": 4,
    "paletteId": "monochrome",
    "colors": ["#000000", "#ffffff"],
    "brightness": 1,
    "contrast": 1,
    "threshold": 0.5
  }
}

Error Diffusion Matrix

The Burkes matrix uses a 2-row pattern:

        *   8   4      (row 0: current row)
  2   4   8   4   2      (row 1: next row)

  Divisor: 32

Characteristics

Balanced approach - Good quality with reasonable speed
Smooth output - Similar to Stucki but faster
Two-row spread - Wider than Floyd-Steinberg, narrower than Jarvis
Even distribution - Symmetrical error spread

Comparison with Other Algorithms

vs Stucki - Nearly identical quality, fewer calculations
vs Floyd-Steinberg - Smoother gradients, wider spread
vs Sierra - Similar complexity, different texture

Tips

Good all-purpose choice when quality and speed both matter
Works well with photographic images
Use lower color counts for more dramatic dithering
Try with vintage or sepia palettes for classic looks