Petals: 2D sprite blossoms instead of shader blobs

The procedural WebGL petals read as faint smudges. Replace with a 2D
canvas that pre-renders real notched sakura petal sprites (tip→base
gradient, soft central sheen, transparent edges) and blits falling,
rotating, swaying instances. Count scales with viewport; pauses when
hidden; skipped under prefers-reduced-motion.

Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_016Yr6jELuRc7hyzYLccQKZd

web/src/effects/PetalFall.tsx

@@ -1,118 +1,84 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
 
-// PetalFall is the cozy ambient layer: a full-window WebGL canvas that drifts a
+// PetalFall is the cozy ambient layer: a fixed, non-interactive 2D canvas that
-// handful of soft flower petals down the page. It sits behind everything,
+// drifts soft cherry-blossom petals down the page. Each petal is a real
-// ignores pointer events, and stays sparse so it reads as "occasional petals on
+// petal-shaped sprite (notched sakura silhouette with a gentle gradient and
-// a breeze" rather than confetti. Honors prefers-reduced-motion by rendering
+// soft alpha), pre-rendered once per color and then blitted many times with
-// nothing. No external libraries — a single tiny shader program animates every
+// rotation + sway. It sits behind the chrome, ignores pointer events, pauses
-// petal entirely on the GPU, so the CPU just spins a clock.
+// when the tab is hidden, and renders nothing for prefers-reduced-motion.
 
-// Each petal is a quad whose corners we expand in the vertex shader. We pack one
+// Saturated-but-soft blossom colors. Each petal fades from a light, near-white
-// quad as 6 vertices; per-vertex we send the corner offset (which corner) plus
+// tip to its color at the base, so it reads as a real petal rather than a blob.
-// the petal's static randomness (lane, speed, size, sway, tint, spin).
+const PALETTE: { r: number; g: number; b: number }[] = [
-const PETAL_COUNT = 26
+  { r: 255, g: 150, b: 190 }, // rose pink
-
+  { r: 255, g: 184, b: 205 }, // pale blossom
-// Soft Petal-palette tints (rose / blush / lavender), as RGB 0..1.
+  { r: 255, g: 158, b: 130 }, // warm peach
-const TINTS: [number, number, number][] = [
+  { r: 209, g: 160, b: 255 }, // lavender
-  [0.91, 0.63, 0.75], // accent rose  #E8A0BF
+  { r: 255, g: 122, b: 172 }, // deep rose
-  [1.0, 0.94, 0.96], // near-white blush
-  [0.96, 0.72, 0.63], // peach        #F4B8A0
-  [0.77, 0.71, 0.91], // lavender     #C5B4E8
-  [0.85, 0.55, 0.69], // deeper rose
 ]
 
-const VERT = `
+const SPRITE_PX = 160 // off-screen render resolution per petal sprite
-precision mediump float;
-attribute vec2 a_corner;   // quad corner in [-0.5,0.5]
-attribute vec4 a_rand;     // x: lane(0..1), y: speed, z: size, w: phase
-attribute vec4 a_rand2;    // x: swayAmp, y: swayFreq, z: spin, w: tintIdx
-uniform float u_time;
-uniform vec2 u_res;
-varying vec2 v_uv;
-varying float v_tint;
-varying float v_alpha;
 
-void main() {
+function rgba(c: { r: number; g: number; b: number }, a: number): string {
-  v_uv = a_corner + 0.5;
+  return `rgba(${Math.round(c.r)}, ${Math.round(c.g)}, ${Math.round(c.b)}, ${a})`
-  v_tint = a_rand2.w;
-
-  float lane = a_rand.x;
-  float speed = a_rand.y;
-  float size = a_rand.z;
-  float phase = a_rand.w;
-
-  // Vertical fall: loop 0..1 over time, offset per petal so they don't sync.
-  float fall = fract(u_time * speed + phase);
-  // Map to clip space: start above the top (1.15) fall to below bottom (-1.15).
-  float y = 1.15 - fall * 2.3;
-
-  // Horizontal: a base lane plus a gentle sway as it descends.
-  float sway = a_rand2.x * sin(u_time * a_rand2.y + phase * 6.2831);
-  float x = (lane * 2.0 - 1.0) + sway;
-
-  // Spin the quad over time.
-  float ang = u_time * a_rand2.z + phase * 6.2831;
-  float c = cos(ang), s = sin(ang);
-  vec2 corner = a_corner * size;
-  // Keep petals visually square despite aspect ratio.
-  corner.x *= u_res.y / u_res.x;
-  vec2 rot = vec2(corner.x * c - corner.y * s, corner.x * s + corner.y * c);
-
-  // Fade in near the top and out near the bottom so they don't pop.
-  v_alpha = smoothstep(0.0, 0.12, fall) * (1.0 - smoothstep(0.86, 1.0, fall));
-
-  gl_Position = vec4(x + rot.x, y + rot.y, 0.0, 1.0);
 }
-`
+function mixWhite(c: { r: number; g: number; b: number }, t: number) {
-
+  return { r: c.r + (255 - c.r) * t, g: c.g + (255 - c.g) * t, b: c.b + (255 - c.b) * t }
-const FRAG = `
+}
-precision mediump float;
+function scale(c: { r: number; g: number; b: number }, t: number) {
-varying vec2 v_uv;
+  return { r: c.r * t, g: c.g * t, b: c.b * t }
-varying float v_tint;
-varying float v_alpha;
-uniform vec3 u_tints[5];
-
-// A soft petal/teardrop alpha mask centered in the quad.
-float petalMask(vec2 uv) {
-  vec2 p = uv - vec2(0.5);
-  // Teardrop: pinch the top, round the bottom.
-  float r = length(vec2(p.x * 1.65, p.y * 1.15 + 0.12));
-  float body = smoothstep(0.5, 0.16, r);
-  // A subtle crease down the middle for a petal feel.
-  float crease = 1.0 - 0.18 * exp(-pow(p.x * 7.0, 2.0));
-  return body * crease;
 }
 
-void main() {
+// Draw one petal sprite: a notched sakura silhouette filled with a tip→base
-  float m = petalMask(v_uv);
+// gradient and a faint central highlight, on a transparent canvas.
-  if (m < 0.01) discard;
+function makeSprite(color: { r: number; g: number; b: number }): HTMLCanvasElement {
-  int idx = int(v_tint + 0.5);
+  const s = SPRITE_PX
-  vec3 col = u_tints[0];
+  const cv = document.createElement('canvas')
-  if (idx == 1) col = u_tints[1];
+  cv.width = s
-  else if (idx == 2) col = u_tints[2];
+  cv.height = s
-  else if (idx == 3) col = u_tints[3];
+  const g = cv.getContext('2d')!
-  else if (idx == 4) col = u_tints[4];
+  g.translate(s / 2, s / 2)
-  gl_FragColor = vec4(col, m * v_alpha * 0.55);
-}
-`
 
-function compile(gl: WebGLRenderingContext, type: number, src: string): WebGLShader | null {
+  const hw = s * 0.3 // half width
-  const sh = gl.createShader(type)
+  const hh = s * 0.44 // half height
-  if (!sh) return null
+
-  gl.shaderSource(sh, src)
+  g.beginPath()
-  gl.compileShader(sh)
+  g.moveTo(0, hh) // pointed base
-  if (!gl.getShaderParameter(sh, gl.COMPILE_STATUS)) {
+  g.bezierCurveTo(hw, hh * 0.42, hw * 0.92, -hh * 0.52, hw * 0.2, -hh * 0.92) // right side → near tip
-    console.error('petal shader compile failed', gl.getShaderInfoLog(sh))
+  g.quadraticCurveTo(0, -hh * 0.72, -hw * 0.2, -hh * 0.92) // the sakura notch
-    gl.deleteShader(sh)
+  g.bezierCurveTo(-hw * 0.92, -hh * 0.52, -hw, hh * 0.42, 0, hh) // left side → base
-    return null
+  g.closePath()
-  }
+
-  return sh
+  const grad = g.createLinearGradient(0, -hh, 0, hh)
+  grad.addColorStop(0, rgba(mixWhite(color, 0.55), 0.78)) // light, soft tip
+  grad.addColorStop(0.45, rgba(color, 0.88))
+  grad.addColorStop(1, rgba(scale(color, 0.8), 0.95)) // deeper base
+  g.fillStyle = grad
+  g.fill()
+
+  // A soft white sheen down the centre for a delicate, glossy feel.
+  const sheen = g.createLinearGradient(-hw * 0.3, 0, hw * 0.3, 0)
+  sheen.addColorStop(0, 'rgba(255,255,255,0)')
+  sheen.addColorStop(0.5, 'rgba(255,255,255,0.28)')
+  sheen.addColorStop(1, 'rgba(255,255,255,0)')
+  g.fillStyle = sheen
+  g.fill()
+
+  return cv
 }
 
-// Deterministic-ish pseudo random (we can't use Math.random at module scope for
+interface Petal {
-// SSR safety, but here in an effect it's fine; kept simple).
+  baseX: number
-function rand(): number {
+  y: number
-  return Math.random()
+  size: number
+  vy: number // fall speed (px/s)
+  angle: number
+  spin: number // rad/s
+  swayAmp: number
+  swayFreq: number
+  swayPhase: number
+  alpha: number
+  sprite: number
 }
 
 export function PetalFall() {
@@ -124,120 +90,90 @@ export function PetalFall() {
       window.matchMedia?.('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches
     if (reduce) return // respect users who don't want ambient motion
 
-    const canvas = canvasRef.current
+    const el = canvasRef.current
-    if (!canvas) return
+    if (!el) return
-    const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl', { alpha: true, premultipliedAlpha: false, antialias: true })
+    const c2d = el.getContext('2d')
-    if (!gl) return // no WebGL — silently skip the effect
+    if (!c2d) return
-
-    const vs = compile(gl, gl.VERTEX_SHADER, VERT)
-    const fs = compile(gl, gl.FRAGMENT_SHADER, FRAG)
-    if (!vs || !fs) return
-    const prog = gl.createProgram()!
-    gl.attachShader(prog, vs)
-    gl.attachShader(prog, fs)
-    gl.linkProgram(prog)
-    if (!gl.getProgramParameter(prog, gl.LINK_STATUS)) {
-      console.error('petal program link failed', gl.getProgramInfoLog(prog))
-      return
-    }
-    gl.useProgram(prog)
-
-    // Build interleaved vertex data: 6 verts per petal, each with corner(2),
-    // rand(4), rand2(4) = 10 floats.
-    const FLOATS_PER_VERT = 10
-    const corners = [
-      [-0.5, -0.5],
-      [0.5, -0.5],
-      [-0.5, 0.5],
-      [-0.5, 0.5],
-      [0.5, -0.5],
-      [0.5, 0.5],
-    ]
-    const data = new Float32Array(PETAL_COUNT * 6 * FLOATS_PER_VERT)
-    let o = 0
-    for (let i = 0; i < PETAL_COUNT; i++) {
-      const lane = rand()
-      const speed = 0.018 + rand() * 0.03 // slow, gentle fall
-      const size = 0.05 + rand() * 0.06
-      const phase = rand()
-      const swayAmp = 0.04 + rand() * 0.09
-      const swayFreq = 0.4 + rand() * 0.7
-      const spin = (rand() - 0.5) * 1.2
-      const tint = Math.floor(rand() * TINTS.length)
-      for (let c = 0; c < 6; c++) {
-        data[o++] = corners[c][0]
-        data[o++] = corners[c][1]
-        data[o++] = lane
-        data[o++] = speed
-        data[o++] = size
-        data[o++] = phase
-        data[o++] = swayAmp
-        data[o++] = swayFreq
-        data[o++] = spin
-        data[o++] = tint
-      }
-    }
-
-    const buf = gl.createBuffer()
-    gl.bindBuffer(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, buf)
-    gl.bufferData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, data, gl.STATIC_DRAW)
-
-    const stride = FLOATS_PER_VERT * 4
-    const aCorner = gl.getAttribLocation(prog, 'a_corner')
-    const aRand = gl.getAttribLocation(prog, 'a_rand')
-    const aRand2 = gl.getAttribLocation(prog, 'a_rand2')
-    gl.enableVertexAttribArray(aCorner)
-    gl.vertexAttribPointer(aCorner, 2, gl.FLOAT, false, stride, 0)
-    gl.enableVertexAttribArray(aRand)
-    gl.vertexAttribPointer(aRand, 4, gl.FLOAT, false, stride, 2 * 4)
-    gl.enableVertexAttribArray(aRand2)
-    gl.vertexAttribPointer(aRand2, 4, gl.FLOAT, false, stride, 6 * 4)
-
-    const uTime = gl.getUniformLocation(prog, 'u_time')
-    const uRes = gl.getUniformLocation(prog, 'u_res')
-    const uTints = gl.getUniformLocation(prog, 'u_tints')
-    gl.uniform3fv(uTints, TINTS.flat())
-
-    gl.enable(gl.BLEND)
-    gl.blendFunc(gl.SRC_ALPHA, gl.ONE_MINUS_SRC_ALPHA)
-    gl.disable(gl.DEPTH_TEST)
-
     // Non-null aliases so the render closures keep the narrowed types.
-    const view = canvas
+    const canvas = el
-    const glc = gl
+    const ctx = c2d
+
+    const sprites = PALETTE.map(makeSprite)
     const dpr = Math.min(window.devicePixelRatio || 1, 2)
+    let W = window.innerWidth
+    let H = window.innerHeight
+
+    // Scale petal count to the viewport so it stays sparse and gentle.
+    const count = Math.round(Math.min(46, Math.max(16, (W * H) / 46000)))
+    const rnd = (a: number, b: number) => a + Math.random() * (b - a)
+
+    const spawn = (initial: boolean): Petal => ({
+      baseX: rnd(0, W),
+      y: initial ? rnd(-H, H) : rnd(-60, -20),
+      size: rnd(16, 38),
+      vy: rnd(22, 52),
+      angle: rnd(0, Math.PI * 2),
+      spin: rnd(-0.9, 0.9),
+      swayAmp: rnd(14, 42),
+      swayFreq: rnd(0.3, 0.85),
+      swayPhase: rnd(0, Math.PI * 2),
+      alpha: rnd(0.5, 0.82),
+      sprite: Math.floor(Math.random() * sprites.length),
+    })
+
+    let petals = Array.from({ length: count }, () => spawn(true))
+
     function resize() {
-      const w = Math.floor(window.innerWidth * dpr)
+      W = window.innerWidth
-      const h = Math.floor(window.innerHeight * dpr)
+      H = window.innerHeight
-      if (view.width !== w || view.height !== h) {
+      canvas.width = Math.floor(W * dpr)
-        view.width = w
+      canvas.height = Math.floor(H * dpr)
-        view.height = h
+      canvas.style.width = `${W}px`
-      }
+      canvas.style.height = `${H}px`
-      glc.viewport(0, 0, view.width, view.height)
+      ctx.setTransform(dpr, 0, 0, dpr, 0, 0)
-      glc.uniform2f(uRes, view.width, view.height)
     }
     resize()
     window.addEventListener('resize', resize)
 
     let raf = 0
     let running = true
-    const start = performance.now()
+    let last = performance.now()
-    function frame() {
+
+    function frame(now: number) {
       if (!running) return
-      const t = (performance.now() - start) / 1000
+      const dt = Math.min(0.05, (now - last) / 1000) // clamp big gaps (tab wake)
-      glc.clearColor(0, 0, 0, 0)
+      last = now
-      glc.clear(glc.COLOR_BUFFER_BIT)
+      const t = now / 1000
-      glc.uniform1f(uTime, t)
+      ctx.clearRect(0, 0, W, H)
-      glc.drawArrays(glc.TRIANGLES, 0, PETAL_COUNT * 6)
+
+      for (const p of petals) {
+        p.y += p.vy * dt
+        p.angle += p.spin * dt
+        const x = p.baseX + p.swayAmp * Math.sin(t * p.swayFreq + p.swayPhase)
+
+        // Recycle once fully past the bottom.
+        if (p.y - p.size > H) {
+          Object.assign(p, spawn(false))
+          continue
+        }
+
+        ctx.save()
+        ctx.translate(x, p.y)
+        ctx.rotate(p.angle)
+        ctx.globalAlpha = p.alpha
+        ctx.drawImage(sprites[p.sprite], -p.size / 2, -p.size / 2, p.size, p.size)
+        ctx.restore()
+      }
       raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame)
     }
-    // Pause when the tab is hidden to save the battery.
+
     const onVisibility = () => {
       if (document.hidden) {
         running = false
         cancelAnimationFrame(raf)
       } else if (!running) {
         running = true
+        last = performance.now()
         raf = requestAnimationFrame(frame)
       }
     }
@@ -249,10 +185,7 @@ export function PetalFall() {
       cancelAnimationFrame(raf)
       window.removeEventListener('resize', resize)
       document.removeEventListener('visibilitychange', onVisibility)
-      gl.deleteBuffer(buf)
+      petals = []
-      gl.deleteProgram(prog)
-      gl.deleteShader(vs)
-      gl.deleteShader(fs)
     }
   }, [])
 

web/src/index.css

@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ button, a, input {
    the writing. It hides itself in print and is skipped entirely for users who
    prefer reduced motion (the component renders nothing in that case). */
 .petal-fall {
-  opacity: 0.85;
+  opacity: 1;
 }
 
 /* Honor reduced-motion globally: still the looping ambient animations and drop