TermiCam is a high-performance computer vision utility that transforms live webcam streams into high-fidelity ASCII art. Utilizing OpenCV for frame processing and ANSI escape sequences for color rendering, it features a custom Matrix Shader, Motion Blur Accumulation, and Audio-Reactive pulse logic—all running natively in your command line.
- Real-Time ASCII Rendering: Converts pixel luminance into optimized character glyphs with low latency.
- TrueColor ANSI Support: Renders full 24-bit color directly in supported terminal emulators.
- Digital Rain (Matrix Mode): A specialized shader that maps brightness to neon-green gradients for a retro-hacker aesthetic.
- Motion Blur Accumulation: Uses weighted frame averaging to create ghostly digital trails during movement.
- Audio-Reactive Pulse: (Optional) Integrates with system audio to scale visual brightness based on sound intensity.
- Snapshot Utility: Capture and save your terminal's current frame as a
.txtfile with a single keystroke. - Global CLI Deployment: Includes a
termicam.batwrapper for instant access from any directory.
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Core Language | Python 3.10+ |
| Vision Engine | OpenCV (cv2) |
| Math & Logic | NumPy (Matrix Transformations) |
| Audio Analysis | SoundDevice (Real-time Stream) |
| UI Rendering | ANSI Escape Codes & UTF-8 Encoding |
TermiCam/
├── cam.py # Main Application Logic
├── termicam.bat # Windows Global CLI Wrapper
├── requirements.txt # Dependency Manifest
├── snapshot.txt # Exported ASCII Captures
└── dist/ # Standalone Executables (.exe)
🟢 [S] - Save a high-resolution text snapshot to snapshot.txt.
🔴 [Q] - Safely terminate the video stream and reset terminal colors.
# Quick Start
# Install Dependencies:
pip install -r requirements.txt
# Launch Application:
python cam.py
# Production Build (Standalone EXE) To create a portable version for Windows:
pyinstaller --onefile --name TermiCam cam.py
Developer Note: This project demonstrates the intersection of Computer Vision (CV) and Terminal User Interfaces (TUI), specifically focusing on real-time signal processing and buffer management.
Meet Potdar
Backend & Creative Technologist
Built with ❤️ using Python & OpenCV