Low-Level Functions

These functions provide direct access to the underlying logic of Liquid Glass. Use them to build custom glass effects or integrate the refraction engine into other libraries.

Physics & Map Generation

compute1D

Calculates lateral displacement values based on Snell's Law.

• Signature: compute1D(glassThickness, bezelWidth, profile, refractiveIndex, samples?)
• Returns: number[] (default 128 samples).

compute2D

Wraps 1D displacement samples into a 2D map.

• Signature: compute2D(w, h, radius, bezelWidth, md, map1D)
• Returns: ImageData.

computeSpecular

Generates a physically-based rim-light specular highlight.

• Signature: computeSpecular(w, h, radius, bezelWidth?)
• Returns: ImageData.

buildMaps

A convenience wrapper that runs the full map generation pipeline.

• Signature: buildMaps(cfg)
• Returns: { dispUrl: string, specUrl: string, maxDisplacement: number }.

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SVG & Rendering

createFilterSVG

Builds a new <filter> element with the Liquid Glass pipeline.

• Signature: createFilterSVG(cfg)
• Returns: { svg: SVGSVGElement, refs: FilterRefs }.

injectImages

Updates the displacement and specular image sources in an existing filter.

• Signature: injectImages(refs, dispUrl, specUrl)

setScale

Updates the feDisplacementMap scale at runtime.

• Signature: setScale(refs, scale)

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Utilities

imageDataToURL

Converts ImageData to a base64 Data URL.

• Signature: imageDataToURL(imageData)
• Returns: string.

nextFilterId

Generates a unique filter ID string (e.g., lg-1).

• Signature: nextFilterId(prefix?)

supportsBackdropFilter

Feature-detects support for SVG backdrop-filter with url().

• Signature: supportsBackdropFilter()
• Returns: boolean.

maxDisp

Returns the maximum absolute value in a 1D displacement map.

• Signature: maxDisp(map1D)
• Returns: number.