Stacking Effects

Each effect works alone. Combined, they do more. Here's what works and in what order.

Order Matters

Structural effects first, color effects last.

Block Jitter

Pixel Sort

Luma Stretch

RGB Shift

Structural effects move pixels. Color effects separate channels. If you RGB shift first then pixel sort, each channel sorts independently. Sometimes cool, usually just messy.

Combinations That Work

Vaporwave

Pixel Sort (vertical, medium)

RGB Shift (horizontal, subtle)

Dreamy, melting, color-fringed

Broadcast Error

Block Jitter (medium blocks, low probability)

RGB Shift (aggressive horizontal)

Broken TV from childhood

Speed Demon

Luma Stretch (horizontal, high)

RGB Shift (same direction, subtle)

Subject breaking the sound barrier

Digital Decay

Block Jitter (small blocks, high probability)

Pixel Sort (same direction)

Luma Stretch (subtle)

Image decomposing

Subtle Corruption

Block Jitter (tiny, low probability)

RGB Shift (minimal)

Looks almost normal. Almost.

Intensity Rules

More effects = lower individual intensity.

One effect: 70-100%

Two effects: 50-70% each

Three: 30-50% each

Four: 20-40% each

Stacking everything at 100% makes mud.

By Subject

Portraits: Light pixel sort on hair/background. Subtle RGB shift. Skip or minimize block jitter on faces.

Landscapes: Horizontal pixel sort (sky melts well). Luma stretch on highlights. Light RGB shift.

Text/Logos: Block jitter for corruption. Heavy RGB shift. Skip pixel sort (kills readability).

Going Abstract: Max everything. Subject disappears. Pure texture remains.

Exploration Method

One effect, medium intensity

Add second effect, low intensity

Adjust until balanced

Add more if needed

Save when you find something

Or Just Randomize

Random parameters. Look at result. Keep or reroll. Sometimes that's all you need.