ascii-video

Convert video, audio, and image files into stylized ASCII animations.

Updated Jun 25, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Rheasilvia/hermes-desktop --skill ascii-video-rheasilvia
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ascii-video
Source: https://github.com/Rheasilvia/hermes-desktop/tree/main/skills/creative/ascii-video
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Rheasilvia/hermes-desktop --skill ascii-video-rheasilvia

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires numpy, scipy, pillow, opencv-python, and includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This skill solves the challenge of converting standard video, audio, and image files into high-fidelity, stylized ASCII character animations, providing a unique aesthetic for creative projects.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Multi-Mode Rendering: Supports video-to-ASCII, audio-reactive visualizers, and generative procedural animations.
  • Advanced Pipeline: Includes a 6-stage rendering process with adaptive tonemapping, shader chains, and feedback buffers for temporal coherence.
  • Use Case: Create a retro-styled music video by using the audio-reactive mode to drive character density and color shifts based on frequency bands and beats.

Quick Start

Use the ascii-video skill to convert the file input.mp4 into a 1080p colored ASCII video using the retro terminal shader mood.

Frequently Asked Questions about ascii-video

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I convert a video file into ASCII art animation?

To convert video into ASCII art animation, a multi-stage Python rendering pipeline processes video frames into stylized ASCII characters using adaptive tonemapping and shader chains for temporal coherence. The pipeline outputs H.264 encoded video files.

What is audio-reactive ASCII visualization and how does it work?

Audio-reactive ASCII visualization converts audio files into generative character animations by driving character density and color shifts based on frequency bands and beats. The rendering pipeline processes audio signals to create visualizers that respond dynamically to sound input.

Do I need ffmpeg installed locally to render ASCII video?

Yes, ffmpeg is required locally to perform H.264 encoding for ASCII video output. The rendering pipeline also requires NumPy, SciPy, Pillow, and OpenCV to execute vectorized frame processing and media manipulation.

Can I use Python and OpenCV to generate colored ASCII animations from images?

Yes, the pipeline uses Python with OpenCV and Pillow to convert image files into colored ASCII character animations. The rendering process applies shader chains and feedback buffers to maintain visual consistency across animated frames.

What's the best way to create a retro terminal styled music video using ASCII art?

The best way to create a retro styled ASCII music video is using audio-reactive mode, which drives character density and color shifts based on audio frequency bands. The pipeline applies retro terminal shader moods to achieve the aesthetic.

Why does my ASCII video rendering lose temporal coherence between frames?

Temporal coherence in ASCII video rendering depends on feedback buffers within the 6-stage rendering pipeline. Without proper buffer configuration, adaptive tonemapping and shader chains cannot maintain consistent character placement across frame transitions.