.genart File Format

A .genart file is a self-contained JSON document representing a single generative art sketch. It includes metadata, renderer configuration, parameters, colors, algorithm code, and state.

Format version

Current version: 1.3

The genart field specifies the format version. Version 1.0 files without a renderer field default to { "type": "p5" }.

Required fields

Field	Type	Description
`genart`	`string`	Format version (`"1.1"`)
`id`	`string`	Unique sketch identifier
`title`	`string`	Human-readable title
`created`	`string`	ISO 8601 timestamp
`modified`	`string`	ISO 8601 timestamp
`renderer`	`object`	Renderer configuration
`canvas`	`object`	Canvas dimensions
`parameters`	`array`	Parameter definitions
`colors`	`array`	Color palette definitions
`state`	`object`	Current runtime state
`algorithm`	`string`	Algorithm source code

Renderer

{
  "renderer": {
    "type": "p5",
    "version": "1.x"
  }
}

Supported types: p5, three, glsl, canvas2d, svg. See Renderers for details.

Canvas

Dimensions can be explicit or reference a preset:

{ "canvas": { "width": 1200, "height": 1200 } }

{ "canvas": { "preset": "hd-1920x1080" } }

See Canvas Presets for all 17 built-in presets.

Parameters

Each parameter defines a control for the algorithm:

{
  "parameters": [
    {
      "key": "amplitude",
      "label": "Wave Amplitude",
      "type": "number",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 80,
      "step": 1,
      "default": 40,
      "tab": "waves"
    }
  ]
}

Field	Type	Required	Description
`key`	`string`	yes	Unique identifier within the sketch
`label`	`string`	no	Display label
`type`	`string`	yes	`"number"`, `"boolean"`, `"string"`, `"select"`
`min`	`number`	no	Minimum value (number type)
`max`	`number`	no	Maximum value (number type)
`step`	`number`	no	Step increment (number type)
`default`	`any`	yes	Default value
`tab`	`string`	no	Tab group assignment

Parameter keys must be unique. The default value must be within min/max range.

Colors

Color palette definitions:

{
  "colors": [
    { "key": "background", "label": "Background", "default": "#0A0A0A" },
    { "key": "stroke", "label": "Stroke Color", "default": "#22D3EE" }
  ]
}

Themes

Optional named color presets:

{
  "themes": [
    {
      "name": "Neon",
      "colors": ["#0A0A0A", "#00FF41", "#FF00FF"]
    },
    {
      "name": "Warm",
      "colors": ["#1A0A00", "#FF6B35", "#FFD700"]
    }
  ]
}

State

Current runtime values:

{
  "state": {
    "seed": 42,
    "params": { "amplitude": 40, "frequency": 0.05 },
    "colorPalette": ["#0A0A0A", "#22D3EE"]
  }
}

Snapshots

Historical state captures:

{
  "snapshots": [
    {
      "id": "snap-001",
      "label": "Best composition",
      "timestamp": "2026-02-14T12:00:00Z",
      "state": { "seed": 99, "params": { "amplitude": 60 }, "colorPalette": ["#0A0A0A", "#FF6B35"] },
      "thumbnailDataUrl": "data:image/jpeg;base64,..."
    }
  ]
}

Optional fields

Field	Type	Description
`subtitle`	`string`	Short description
`skills`	`string[]`	Design skills used (e.g., `["golden-ratio", "complementary"]`)
`philosophy`	`string`	Markdown text explaining the artistic intent
`tabs`	`object[]`	Tab definitions for parameter grouping
`themes`	`object[]`	Named color presets
`snapshots`	`object[]`	Historical state snapshots
`components`	`ComponentRef[]`	Declared component dependencies
`layers`	`LayerDef[]`	Design layer stack (see Design Mode)
`compositionLevel`	`number`	1-4, calibrates critique severity
`symbols`	`SketchSymbolValue[]`	Symbol instances used in the sketch
`references`	`Reference[]`	Inspiration reference images with analysis
`series`	`SeriesDef`	Series membership and stage
`lineage`	`LineageDef`	Fork/promote history

Components

Declared component dependencies that the algorithm uses:

{
  "components": [
    { "name": "prng", "version": "^1.0.0" },
    { "name": "noise-2d", "version": "^1.0.0" }
  ]
}

See Components for the component tools.

Layers

Design layer stack rendered by the compositor on top of the algorithm output:

{
  "layers": [
    {
      "id": "layer-001",
      "type": "typography:text",
      "name": "Title",
      "visible": true,
      "locked": false,
      "opacity": 1,
      "blendMode": "normal",
      "properties": { "text": "Hello", "fontSize": 48, "color": "#FFFFFF" },
      "transform": { "x": 100, "y": 50, "width": 400, "height": 80 }
    }
  ]
}

See Design Mode for details on layers, plugins, and the compositor.

Symbols

Symbol instances attached to the sketch:

{
  "symbols": [
    { "id": "sym-001", "symbolId": "star", "source": "library", "fillColor": "#FFD700" }
  ]
}

See Symbols plugin for the full symbol system.

References

Inspiration reference images with optional structured analysis:

{
  "references": [
    {
      "id": "ref-001",
      "type": "artwork",
      "source": "Monet, Water Lilies",
      "imagePath": "references/monet.jpg",
      "analysis": {
        "composition": "Horizontal bands of water and sky",
        "palette": ["#2D5016", "#7BA3C9", "#E8D4B8"],
        "mood": "Serene, contemplative"
      }
    }
  ]
}

See Reference tools for importing and analyzing references.

Series

Series membership with narrative context:

{
  "series": {
    "id": "series-001",
    "label": "Organic Growth",
    "stage": "refinements"
  }
}

Lineage

Fork and promotion history:

{
  "lineage": {
    "forkedFrom": "parent-sketch-id",
    "forkedAt": "2026-03-01T12:00:00Z",
    "generation": 2,
    "promotedFrom": "study-sketch-id",
    "promotedAt": "2026-03-02T10:00:00Z"
  }
}

## Minimal example

```json
{
  "genart": "1.3",
  "id": "minimal-example",
  "title": "Minimal Example",
  "created": "2026-02-14T00:00:00Z",
  "modified": "2026-02-14T00:00:00Z",
  "renderer": { "type": "p5", "version": "1.x" },
  "canvas": { "width": 1200, "height": 1200 },
  "parameters": [],
  "colors": [],
  "state": { "seed": 42, "params": {}, "colorPalette": [] },
  "algorithm": "function sketch(p, state) {\n  p.setup = () => {\n    p.createCanvas(state.canvas.width, state.canvas.height);\n    p.background(20);\n  };\n  p.draw = () => {};\n  return { initializeSystem() {} };\n}"
}

Validation rules

The parser rejects files that:

Are missing any required field (id, algorithm, etc.)
Have an unknown renderer.type
Have an unrecognized canvas.preset
Have duplicate parameter keys
Have a default value outside the min/max range

.genart File

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