DIP 2025 Final Project. This project is an extension of the Halftone QR codes.
$ pip install -r requirements.txt# gray example
$ python main.py -t 'https://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/' -i 'input/gray_dog.png' -o 'output/stylized_qrcode.png' --meta -v 6 -b 3
# color example
$ python main.py -t 'https://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/' -i 'input/color_hokkaido.png' -o 'output/stylized_qrcode.png' --meta -v 6 -b 5 --colorThis project presents a lightweight yet effective method to generate stylized QR codes using traditional image processing techniques, extending the original Halftone QR code concept. Unlike prior deep-learning-based approaches, our method is efficient, supports color images, adjustable box sizes, and edge-aware module dropping to preserve important visual features. The result is visually appealing QR codes that remain highly scannable on common mobile devices. Key contributions include:
- Color support: Stylization is applied independently across RGB channels.
- Flexible control: Parameters like QR version, box size, and dropout ratio are user-adjustable.
- Edge-aware stylization: Preserves details in salient image regions.
- Open-source: Fully implemented in Python with clear CLI interface.
This approach provides a practical solution for integrating QR codes into aesthetic and design-sensitive contexts without sacrificing usability. For more details, please check our report
Command-line arguments for the Halftoning QRCode Generator.
Arguments:
-t, --text (str):
The text or URL to encode into a QR code.
Default: 'https://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/'
-i, --input (str):
Path to the input style image used to stylize the QR code.
Default: 'input/sample1.png'
-o, --output (str):
Path to save the stylized output QR code image.
Default: 'output/stylized_qrcode.png'
-v, --version (int):
QR code version (controls size and data capacity).
Range: 1–40.
Default: 6
-b, --box-size (int):
Size (in pixels) of each QR code module (box).
Default: 3
-d, --drop-ratio (float):
Ratio (0.0–1.0) of randomly dropping a QR code module
for stylization or artistic effect.
Default: 0.0
--meta (flag):
If set, saves additional metadata associated with the QR code generation.
Default: False (disabled)
--color (flag):
If set, enables RGB mode (stylization with color image).
Default: False (grayscale)
--edge-enhance (flag):
If set, edges will be detected for module region keeping.
Default: False (disabled)
-e, --edge-ratio(float):
Ratio (0.0–1.0) of pixel of edge in the input image.
Default: 0.1
--wo-halftone (flag):
If set, our function will turn off the halftoning process.
Default: False (Do halftoning)
--pad-size (int):
Padding (in pixels) to apply around the final output QR code.
Default: 5
This project is an extension of the Halftone QR codes.
@article{chu2013halftone,
title={Halftone QR codes},
author={Chu, Hung-Kuo and Chang, Chia-Sheng and Lee, Ruen-Rone and Mitra, Niloy J},
journal={ACM transactions on graphics (TOG)},
volume={32},
number={6},
pages={1--8},
year={2013},
publisher={ACM New York, NY, USA}
}