diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index c8fac6e0..91986db5 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ What's new: - Blind resampling artifact reduction algorithms. *(For badly resampled anime.)* - Experimental line darkening and line thinning algorithm. *(For perceptual quality. We perceive thinner/darker lines as perceptually higher quality, even if it might not be the case.)* -Please consider the rest of the README outdated until it is updated. The files are already available for anyone to play with, but usage instructions are not yet done. ## Real-Time Upscalers Comparison @@ -32,6 +31,8 @@ The new Anime4K upscalers were trained using the [SYNLA Dataset](https://github. \*FSRCNNX-56 failed to launch when playing back 1080p video. +Please consider the rest of the README outdated until it is updated. + ## Notice ### This current README is outdated. I don't have the time to update the preprint and the comparisons for the major changes to the algorithm in the latest stable v2.1 version yet. Most issues related to aliasing and texture loss are solved in the latest version of the algorithm. A more rigorous and in-depth preprint is coming soon. @@ -58,13 +59,11 @@ This implementation is **cross platform**. ### [GLSL Installation](GLSL_Instructions.md) -Note for developers: For performance, the GLSL shaders use the `POSTKERNEL` texture to store the gradient. You might need to make a backup of the `POSTKERNEL` texture before applying these shaders and restore it after if your other shaders or rendering engine uses the `POSTKERNEL` texture for other purposes. (In MPV's case, it gets ignored.) - ## HLSL Usage Instructions (MPC-BE with madVR) This implementation is **only for Windows**. -This implementation is also **outdated**, the latest version is developped on GLSL. +This implementation is **outdated**, the latest version is developped on GLSL. ### [HLSL Installation](HLSL_Instructions.md) @@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ Note for developers: For performance, the HLSL shaders use the Alpha channel to ## Java Usage Instructions (Standalone) -This implementation is **outdated**, the latest version is developped on GLSL. +This implementation is also **outdated**, the latest version is developped on GLSL. ### [Java Installation](Java_Instructions.md) @@ -84,74 +83,3 @@ Click on the link above to read Java version installation and usage instructions - https://github.com/net2cn/Anime4KSharp (Anime4K Re-Implemented in C#) - https://github.com/andraantariksa/Anime4K-rs (Anime4K Re-Implemented in Rust) - https://github.com/k4yt3x/video2x (Anime Video Upscaling Pipeline) - - -## Pseudo-Preprint Preview - -### [Read Full Pseudo-Preprint](Preprint.md) - -B. Peng -August 2019 - -*Ad perpetuam memoriam of all who perished in the Kyoto Animation arson attack.* - -### Table of Contents - -- [Abstract](Preprint.md#abstract) -- [Introduction](Preprint.md#introduction) -- [Proposed Method](Preprint.md#proposed-method) -- [Results and Upscale Examples](Preprint.md#results) -- [Discussion](Preprint.md#discussion) -- [Analysis and Comparison to Other Algorithms](Preprint.md#analysis) - -### Abstract - -We present a state-of-the-art high-quality real-time SISR algorithm designed to work with Japanese animation and cartoons that is extremely fast *(~3ms with Vega 64 GPU)*, temporally coherent, simple to implement *(~100 lines of code)*, yet very effective. We find it surprising that this method is not currently used 'en masse', since the intuition leading us to this algorithm is very straightforward. -Remarkably, the proposed method does not use any machine-learning or statistical approach, and is tailored to content that puts importance to well defined lines/edges while tolerates a sacrifice of the finer textures. The proposed algorithm can be quickly described as an iterative algorithm that treats color information as a heightmap and 'pushes' pixels towards probable edges using gradient-ascent. This is very likely what learning-based approaches are already doing under the hood (eg. VDSR**[1]**, waifu2x**[2]**). - -### How does it *actually actually* work? - -There's an excellent write-up by [shi-yan](https://github.com/shi-yan) that describes the (original v0.9) algorithm in detail (in fact better than in the preprint), with interactive sliders. See for yourself! https://epiphany.pub/@shi-yan/anime4k - -## FAQ - -### Why not just use waifu2x - -waifu2x is too slow for real time applications. - -### Why not just use madVR with NGU - -NGU is proprietary, this algorithm is licensed under MIT. - -### How does FSRCNNX compare to this - -Since it performs poorly (perceptually, for anime) compared to other algorithms, it was left out of our visual comparisons. - -![ComparisonRC](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bloc97/Anime4K/master/results/Comparisons/FSRCNNX.png) - -*Note: FSRCNNX was not specifically trained/designed for anime. It is however a good general-purpose SISR algorithm for video.* - -### Where are the PSNR/SSIM metrics - -There are no ground truths of 4K anime. - -### Why not do PSNR/SSIM on 480p->720p upscaling - -[Story Time](FAQ_Detail.md) - -Comparing PSNR/SSIM on 480p->720p upscales does not prove and is not a good indicator of 1080p->2160p upscaling quality. (Eg. poor performance of waifu2x on 1080p anime) 480p anime images have a lot of high frequency information (lines might be thinner than 1 pixel), while 1080p anime images have a lot of redundant information. 1080p->2160p upscaling on anime is thus objectively easier than 480p->720p. - -### I think the results are worse than \ - -Surely some people like sharper edges, some like softer ones. Do try it yourself on a few anime before reaching a definite conclusion. People *tend* to prefer sharper edges. Also, seeing the comparisons on a 1080p screen is not representative of the final results on a 4K screen, the pixel density and sharpness of the final image is simply not comparable. - -### Note for those who think this is not a 'upscaling' algorithm. - -[Explanation](Upscaling.md) - -TL;DR - -Sharpening, De-Blurring and Super-Resolution are equivalent. -Anime4K can de-blur, and is equivalent to a SR algorithm. -A Super-Resolution algorithm can do upscaling. -Thus, Anime4K is an upscaling algorithm.