moire effectMoiré effect is a visual perception that occurs when viewing a set of lines or dots that is superimposed on another set of lines or dots, where the sets differ in relative size, angle, or spacing. The moiré effect can be seen when looking through ordinary window screens at another screen or background. It can also be generated by a photographic or electronic reproduction, either deliberately or accidentally. The illustration below shows two sets of lines of equal thickness and equal spacing, but one set is angled at a few degrees while the other set runs vertically. The moiré effect in this case appears as a set of thick, ill-defined, nearly horizontal bars. Moiré effect can produce interesting and beautiful geometric patterns. However, the phenomenon degrades the quality and resolution of graphic images. Problems occur when a screened image, such as is found in a newspaper, is directly photographed and then the photograph is reprinted in screened format. It can also occur when the image from a computer display is reproduced by photographic means and then rendered in a screened or dot-matrix format. The fine matrix of dots in the original image almost invariably conflicts with the matrix of dots in the reproduction. This generates a characteristic criss-cross pattern on the reproduced image. The word moiré is French (from the past participle of the verb moirer, meaning to water) and can be written with or without an accent aigu on the final "e." It was originally used to describe an effect applied to silk material to give it a wavy or rippled texture.
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| This word suggested by: Karsten Farley | | Last updated on:
Sep 22, 2005 |
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Are you a Know-IT-All?
3.5-inch diskettes are rigid. So why are they called "floppies?"
Answer (Scroll to the second paragraph.)
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