animation on S Anand

Gemini copies images almost perfectly

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:33:02 +0530

Summary: Nano Banana Pro is much better than recent models at copying images without errors. That lets us do a few useful things, like:

Pre-process images for OCR, improving text recognition by cleaning up artifacts while preserving text shapes exactly.
Convert textbook raster diagrams into clean vector-like images that vectorizers can process easily.
Create in-betweens for cartoon animations
Copy torn, stained 1950s survey maps into pristine, high-contrast replicas with boundary lines preserved pixel-perfectly.
Redraw sewage map blueprints or refinery blueprints into clean schematics, separating the “pipes” from the “background noise”.
… and more!

GPT Image 1.5 has a good reputation for drawing exactly what you tell it to.

But right now, nothing beats Gemini 3 Pro Image Preview (Nano Banana Pro) on copying images exactly.

To check this, Nitin asked a bunch of models to:

Recreate the provided image EXACTLY:

- Same resolution and aspect ratio
- Same colors, lighting, composition
- Same shapes and positions
- No stylization, no creativity, no cleanup
- Do not add/remove text, objects, or artifacts
- Output should be the closest possible pixel-level match

… and passed it different kinds of images.

Here’s their structural similarity index (SSIM):

Image Type	gemini-3-pro-image-preview	gemini-2.5-flash-image	gpt-image-1.5	chatgpt-image-latest	gpt-image-1	gpt-image-1-mini
Document	89.4%	33.6%	14.0%	10.0%	7.9%	8.3%
Diagram	97.9%	32.2%	32.4%	24.4%	26.9%	31.6%
Stereogram	98.5%	37.8%	41.1%	34.1%	36.1%	39.6%
Scatterplot	89.1%	85.9%	46.3%	41.9%	36.0%	38.5%
Surreal painting	99.7%	66.7%	77.2%	76.6%	72.2%	51.4%
Tuvalu map	96.2%	99.9%	72.4%	61.8%	64.5%	65.4%
Cartoon	99.8%	81.3%	72.3%	71.9%	72.4%	72.3%
Human photo	99.3%	76.1%	82.9%	82.2%	74.0%	71.8%
Human portrait	99.9%	84.7%	93.4%	89.8%	89.5%	77.0%
Landscape	99.8%	95.7%	93.1%	92.4%	90.3%	92.0%
Overall Average	97.0%	69.4%	62.5%	58.5%	57.0%	54.8%

For example, take this portrait:

Gemini 3 Pro is nearly pixel perfect. (Red areas show differences. You can see that most areas are barely different.) Whereas GPT Image 1.5 makes more changes:

The nose is smaller.
The mouth is wider.
The lips are thinner.
The eyes are smaller.
The moustache is smaller.
The goatee is neater.
The face is narrower.
The skin is yellower.
… and so on.

But even the best models aren’t perfect when copying diagrams and documents.

The text is slightly displaced. Background writing is removed. Gemini 3 Pro actually sharpens the text. But even here, interestingly, almost every letter is copied correctly - the differences are small.

What does this mean?

Clearly, Gemini 3 Pro Image Preview outperforms the others by a huge margin. Winner in 10 categories, with a 97% average. The runner up (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) wins barely nudges it out on the Tuvalu map, and has a 69% average.

Also, the models are clearly better at natural images (human photo, portrait, landscape) than with symbolic images (cartoon, diagram, scatterplot, document).

Among the OpenAI models, GPT Image 1.5 is far better than the others, but lags far behind Gemini 3 Pro. The gap is larger for symbolic images - so definitely prefer the Gemini models to edit diagrams, documents, charts etc.

Also, Gemini 3 Pro Image Preview seems quite different from Gemini 2.5 Flash (20% correlation)- almost a different model, whereas GPT Image 1.5 seems fairly similar to GPT Image 1 and GPT Image 1 Mini (97% correlation) - like incremental improvements to the same model.

You can try out your own images at https://nitin399-maker.github.io/imagediffer/ or run the code yourself.

Exploring Creativity with SORA: My Animation Journey

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:38:06 +0000

I got access to SORA today. My first attempts was typical.

An animated cartoon featuring Calvin, a young boy with spiky hair, standing in a playful boxing stance with oversized boxing gloves. He looks determined as he says ‘Bring it on!’ in a speech bubble. Facing him is Hobbes, a tall and slightly bemused tiger, also in a mock boxing pose with a gentle smile, as if humoring Calvin. The scene is set in Calvin’s backyard, typical of a Calvin and Hobbes comic, with a simple and uncluttered backdrop.

That looks nothing like Calvin & Hobbes. But there never was an animated Calvin & Hobbes anyway. (It’s probably for the best.)

My second attempt was to recreate the Fangorn Forest.

First person POV of a person walking through the woods in bright daylight, with the sum streaming across. He looks up and the trees gently crowd over, bending over him, darkening, darkening, … until there is no light.

The “darkening, darkening, …” part clearly didn’t make it.

At this point, I learned 2 things.

I lack creativity. (Not a surprise.)
If you don’t get what you expect, appreciate what you get. These videos are pretty good!

So I decided to seek inspiration by copying. By exploring SORA gallery, I saw a lizard made of diamond. A man made of balloons, somersaulting. Santas made of jelly, dancing. Which led to asking ChatGPT:

Build a creative list of video ideas with this structure: made of . For example:
Man made of balloons jumping.
Water bottle made of diamonds dripping.

This gave me quite a good list. Here are some creations.

Now that the constraints of reality are eliminated, wouldn’t more of us explore impossible art more readily?

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:14:05 +0000

The #HarryPotter Screen Time video featured a bar chart race made in PowerPoint. Many of you asked how I made it.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial. https://youtu.be/E1SeoUV8awI

(BTW, there are just 9 people on LinkedIn who match “bar chart race” and #powerpoint. This is for you, friends!)

Gramener converted this feature into a product, SlideSense.ai. But more on that later 🙂

The original video is at https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A6801138072068214784/

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 21:14:53 +0000

Always a pleasure watching Richie work his magic on Excel. Looking forward to Richie showing Michael Jackson dance in Excel 😀

Calvin and Hobbes animated

Thu, 17 May 2007 12:00:00 +0000

A Calvin and Hobbes cartoon, drawn by Dadomani.

Comments

kasi 28 May 2007 1:31 pm: Hi Anand, U must check this http://david-heron.me.uk/blog/2007/04/08/virtual-barbershop with ur headphone vol high.. wid 3d music, its really kewl :) n chk the more links given there
Docsound 29 May 2009 8:45 pm: Calvin and Hobbes cartoon is not drawned by dadomani!

How DNA gets converted to proteins

Mon, 26 Jul 2004 12:00:00 +0000

An animated description of how DNA gets converted to proteins.

Disney animation films

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 12:00:00 +0000

List of Disney animation films

Ant-like ad

Tue, 08 Oct 2002 12:00:00 +0000

Spotted this ad on Business Standard. It was at the bottom of the page, and initially, I thought it really was an ant crawling across my laptop. Incidentally, catching the ant is not all that easy. Took me a minute. But once you catch it, it stays put.

Business Standard no longer has an ad with an ant crawling across the bottom of the page.

Learning Flash

Fri, 29 Mar 2002 12:00:00 +0000

I’m learning Flash.

Erics treasure trove of life

Fri, 08 Feb 2002 12:00:00 +0000

Eric’s treasure trove of life. It’s about Conway’s Game of Life. It’s got animations, details about the authors of these patterns, and references.

Tron killer app

Tue, 22 Jan 2002 12:00:00 +0000

Tron killer app: what is it? (a trailer!)

Flash mail

Sat, 12 Jan 2002 12:00:00 +0000

A small Flash file was sent to a group of artists and designers with the instruction: change what you want; send back the results.

Happy 100th birthday Walt

Wed, 05 Dec 2001 12:00:00 +0000

Happy 100th birthday, Walt!

Reds Dream

Tue, 06 Nov 2001 12:00:00 +0000

I saw an old MPEG of Red’s Dream in 1995. In a sense, graphics hasn’t changed much in the last decade. It’s just become more accessible.

I am befriended by an Oriyan with strong opinions

Sat, 13 Oct 2001 12:00:00 +0000

I just can’t figure out some people. It’s not just their English, which can be even more confusing than mine. It’s just their way of thinking, I guess. This guy, for instance, started off with…
debasissatpathy: hi friend i want a cool girl
root_node: I’m sure you do. Haven’t found one yet, have you?
debasissatpathy: no i have lots of girl friends not a lover
root_node: Too bad. Why don’t you have a lover, though?
debasissatpathy: i want a girl who will perfect matching for me
root_node: And what kind of a person is a perfect match for you?
debasissatpathy: a sexy bold and friendly girl
root_node: That’s it? And you’d fall in love with a sexy, bold and friendly girl?
root_node: (BTW, hope you’re not trying to hook ME…)
root_node: I’m not a girl, FYI.
debasissatpathy: he i am a girl try to hog me

This floored me completely. I had no clue what the guy was saying. I figured he might have meant, “Hey, I am a girl… try to hug me!” – so I figured…

root_node: Gosh, I’m chatting to a lesbian!!
debasissatpathy: he i am not a lesbo i am intrest in your pennies

Now, I’m completely clueless. “pennies”!?? Why’s he interested in my money, and how’s he going to get his hands on it? But then, it hit me…

root_node: Ah, I trust that would be a mis-spelling for the male organ of reproduction.
root_node: Nice thing to be interested in.
root_node: And you’re looking for your sexy bold friendly girl online?
debasissatpathy: it is only nice or any thing special in you
root_node: Oh, dear me.. always thought I was a bit different, at least in name…
debasissatpathy: no nothing in name you want to enjoy so don’t be a homo
root_node: Fair advice. Thought bisexuals have the best of both world’s I guess.
root_node: Wouldn’t you agree?
debasissatpathy: common i am a male and don’t be so bore
root_node: Hmmm… what do you propose we do then, Debasis?
root_node: I hate to bore you as much as you hate being bored by me.
root_node: Shall we pester some of the lasses around?
debasissatpathy: no if you want a strong friend ship then step your feet now
debasissatpathy: i am a very carring person above all i am an indian

Wow! Strong sentiments. I’d better “step on my feet”, and prove my “friendship”.

root_node: So am I Debasis. Caring, and Indian.
debasissatpathy: he don’t be so bold enjoy
root_node: I didn’t understand…
debasissatpathy: to be a friend you should tell me somthing about you and your family
root_node: OK. I’m an only child, and I’m from Madras.
debasissatpathy: do you native of tn or migrated
root_node: Native.
root_node: What about you, Debasis? How old are you? What do you do?
debasissatpathy: what about your hobbies
root_node: I play the keyboard. Mostly film songs. I play basketball. Reading, etc.
debasissatpathy: tell me about your education
root_node: Of course… but do answer my question? How old are you? And what do you do?
debasissatpathy: i am 22 year old a mechanical engineer and warkin in a mnc at new delhi
root_node: Oh… which company do you work in?
debasissatpathy: in neolite industries
root_node: What products do you manufacture?
debasissatpathy: automobile lights
root_node: Oh, cool. I just finished a management degree a few months ago.
root_node: I’m a chemical engineer myself.
debasissatpathy: good but tell me what you want to be in feature
root_node: I want to direct a cartoon film. Some day…
debasissatpathy: ok why cartoon these are aim of girls

Sheesh! Such preconceived notions…. anyway, at this point, the guy starts getting really wierd.

root_node: Well… sounds like Walt Disney was a guy. And I kinda admire the guy.
root_node: Wouldn’t mind being like him.
debasissatpathy: tell me one thing if you are alone with a girl what will you do
root_node: Talk to her.
debasissatpathy: what type of talk
root_node: Normal talk – the kind we’re doing. What’re your interests, etc.
root_node: Why? What would YOU do?
debasissatpathy: i will try to notice if see will screm or not
root_node: OK, and then?
debasissatpathy: try to know about her needs
root_node: Like what?
debasissatpathy: if she want help ok or if her intesions are bad then leave her alone
root_node: What do you mean by bad intentions?
debasissatpathy: not by bad intent but i like those who know there limits
root_node: Please clarify….
debasissatpathy: a girl look good not only from skin from charecter that is for male also
debasissatpathy: so always try to control yourself
root_node: Of course, Debasis. I’ll keep that in mind.
debasissatpathy: because i love those girls
root_node: Have you met many girls who do not know their limits?
debasissatpathy: oh you are not he ok we are good friends make it strong
root_node: Great to hear that!
root_node: Now, back to cartoons – why do you think they’re for girls?
debasissatpathy: give me your address and mine was **debasissatpathy**@yahoo.com
root_node: root_node@yahoo.com
debasissatpathy: what is ur name
root_node: Anand.
debasissatpathy: annad are you rajesh khanna

What on earth does that mean? Took me quite a while to figure out he was refering to the movie “Anand”.

root_node: Would love to be, but hate to admit that I’m not. Why? Have you lost him?
debasissatpathy: clear it
root_node: Are you asking about the film star Rajesh Khanna?
debasissatpathy: and tell me about your family
root_node: I already did – single child, and from Madras. That’s about it.
debasissatpathy: are you not she
root_node: No, trust me – I’m as masculine as they get. I’m a “he” for sure!
debasissatpathy: ok try to contact me through mail and i am a native of orissa
root_node: Sure, Debasis. It’s been a very interesting experience, chatting with you!
debasissatpathy: ok it is very long chating because here i am after my duty is over you
debasissatpathy: plase contact me through e mail bye friend
root_node: Bye!

Toonopedia

Mon, 26 Feb 2001 12:00:00 +0000

Toonopedia – encyclopaedia of cartoons

Animated spoof of Mohabbatein

Sun, 28 Jan 2001 12:00:00 +0000

An extraordinary animated spoof of Mohabbatein.

Tom and Jerry site

Mon, 18 Dec 2000 12:00:00 +0000

A neat Tom & Jerry site. Also has video clips.