# t1000
  
## Description
Applies a liquid-metal distortion effect inspired by the T-1000 from *Terminator 2*.  
This effect simulates molten chromium surfaces, flowing reflections, metallic warping, and fluid reshaping — producing a highly stylized morphing look that feels synthetic, slippery, and impossibly smooth.

## Purpose
`t1000` is designed for creators who want:
- a molten liquid-metal look,  
- smooth reflective distortions reminiscent of mercury or shapeshifting alloy,  
- a sci-fi transformation aesthetic,  
- a surreal, fluid-motion filter with no configuration,  
- an instantly recognizable morphing style.

## How It Works
1. **Metallic Surface Simulation**  
   Highlights intensify and shift toward chrome-like brightness.
2. **Morphing Distortion**  
   Underlying geometry is warped and reshaped as if the surface is melting or reforming.
3. **Fluidity Modeling**  
   Motion becomes slippery and continuous, giving the illusion of reflective liquid dynamics.
4. **Encoding**  
   Final output is encoded using the global Videobeaux CRF, codec, and pixel-format settings.

## Program Template
```bash
videobeaux -P t1000 \
  -i input.mp4 \
  -o output.mp4
```

## Arguments
- *(No additional program-specific arguments; uses global videobeaux options only.)*

## Real World Example
```bash
videobeaux -P t1000 \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o t1000_styled.mp4
```

## Program Output
<video controls preload="metadata" style="max-width:100%; border-radius:8px; margin:1em 0;">
  <source src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5de6db36-f8d4-426e-9262-b9dbeb2095ae" type="video/mp4">
  Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

## Technical Notes
- Works extremely well with reflective materials, metallic textures, or high-contrast imagery.  
- Smooth gradients transform into flowing liquid metal patterns.  
- Compression interacts strongly with this effect; higher CRF introduces chaotic chrome-grain, while lower CRF yields smooth molten surfaces.  
- Motion-heavy shots produce dynamic reshaping, while static scenes emphasize glossy morphing.

## Recommended Usage
- Sci-fi transformations or robotic metamorphosis sequences.  
- Music videos seeking surreal chrome or mercury aesthetics.  
- Abstract collage or experimental edits involving fluid distortion.  
- Visual motifs referencing artificial intelligence, synthetic life, or shape-shifting technology.  
- Paired with `reverse` or `speed` for dramatic reformation sequences.

## Quality Tips
- For the cleanest liquid effect, use low CRF for smooth reflective gradients.  
- For gritty “metal corrosion,” increase CRF to introduce grain in the reflowed surfaces.  
- Combine with `steel_wash` for a colder, industrial chrome palette.  
- Layer with `lsd_feedback` for evolving metal-fluid feedback tunnels.  
- Apply before LUTs if you want the LUT to tone the chrome; apply after for pure metallic distortion.