# Metaballs

Soft blobs that drift, merge and split like a lava lamp.

## Installation

```sh
pnpm add astro-dither
```

Or copy the source into your project:

```sh
npx astro-dither add effect
```

## Usage

```astro
---
import { DitherEffect } from "astro-dither";
---

<DitherEffect effect="metaballs" />
```

Four charges orbiting the centre, summed until they blob together. `size` sets each charge's radius.

The props group like this:

Shape: `size`.

## Examples

### Spores

Small `size` splits the field into separate drifting dots.

```astro
<DitherEffect effect="metaballs" params={{"size":0.07}} />
```

### Mercury

Large `size` keeps the blobs merged in one slow mass.

```astro
<DitherEffect effect="metaballs" params={{"size":0.3}} />
```

## Props

| Prop | Type | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `size` | `number` | 0.14 | Each blob's radius. 0.05 to 0.4. |
| `palette` | `string[]` | the effect's | 2 to 8 colours, paper first, brightest last. `transparent` works. |
| `cell` | `number` | 2 | Size of one dither cell in CSS pixels. Rounded to whole device pixels so cells stay even. |
| `matrix` | `2 | 4 | 8 | "noise"` | 8 | The Bayer threshold size, or noise for a random look. |
| `speed` | `number` | 1 | Playback speed. 0 draws one still frame. |
| `stillTime` | `number` | the effect's | The moment drawn when motion is off or reduced, in seconds. |
| `levels` | `number` | 0 (all) | Tones the field snaps to before dithering. Low values give hard, posterised steps. |
| `bloom` | `number` | 0 | Bloom around lit cells, 0 to 1. Set a positive prop to create the overlay before overriding it with CSS `--dither-bloom`. |
| `bloomRadius` | `number` | 10 | Bloom blur in CSS pixels. CSS `--dither-bloom-radius` overrides it. |
| `class` | `string` | undefined | Classes on the surface element, for size and position. |

## Notes

* Decorative and `aria-hidden`. Put real text on top, not inside it.
* With reduced motion it draws one still frame (at 4s) and stops.
* It pauses when scrolled out of view or when the tab is hidden.
* Shares one WebGL context with every other ordered effect on the page.