Dithering

2 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  dithering
       n : the process of representing intermediate colors by patterns
           of tiny colored dots that simulate the desired color

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:



  dithering
       
           A technique used in {quantisation} processes
          such as {graphics} and {audio} to reduce or remove the
          correlation between noise and signal.
       
          Dithering is used in {computer graphics} to create additional
          colors and shades from an existing {palette} by interspersing
          {pixels} of different colours.  On a {monochrome} display,
          areas of grey are created by varying the proportion of black
          and white pixels.  In colour displays and printers, colours
          and textures are created by varying the proportions of
          existing colours.  The different colours can either be
          distributed randomly or regularly.  The higher the
          {resolution} of the display, the smoother the dithered colour
          will appear to the eye.
       
          Dithering doesn't reduce resolution.  There are three types:
          regular dithering which uses a very regular predefined
          pattern; random dither where the pattern is a random noise;
          and pseudo random dither which uses a very large, very
          regular, predefined pattern.
       
          Dithering is used to create patterns for use as backgrounds,
          fills and shading, as well as for creating {halftones} for
          printing.  When used for printing is it very sensitive to
          paper properties.  Dithering can be combined with
          {rasterising}.  It is not related to {anti-aliasing}.
       
          (2003-07-20)