MTF_GENERATE_TEST_CH(1)

🌸 MTF_GENERATE_TEST_CH 🌸

okay bestie, so this one lives in section 1 of the manual, and its whole name is MTF_GENERATE_TEST_CH(1) — but you can just call it your chart-making bestie, we're not being formal here 💖

✨ NAME ✨

mtf_generate_test_chart — generate test charts for evaluating lens sharpness 🎯

🦋 SYNOPSIS 🦋

mtf_generate_test_chart [OPTIONS]

👑 DESCRIPTION 👑

okay so mtf_generate_test_chart</p> generates scalable vector graphics (SVG) files stuffed with test charts, and those charts are for evaluating digital camera lens performance (aka sharpness, aka the thing you're obsessed with) plus autofocus accuracy / fine-tuning. no cap 🫶

and like, the whole point: you should be using mtf_generate_test_chart to make suitable test charts for use with the mtf_mapper tool. they're a duo. they're giving power couple energy fr fr 💅

🔥 OPTIONS 🔥

• -o filename — name your output file, bestie. the default is chart.svg if you just let it do its thing ✨
• -s a4|A4|a3|A3|a2|A2|a1|A1|a0|A0 — picks the page size of the chart. yes all of those, and yes the case matters, don't come for me 🎀
• -t perspective|grid|halfgrid|thirdgrid|lensgrid|mfperspective|focus — picks the chart type. this one has lore, so sit down, we're going through every single one 🍓
  • the perspective chart is for evaluating autofocus behaviour, and it is intended to be photographed at an angle — typically 45 degrees 📐
  • the lensgrid chart is intended to evaluate lens sharpness across the focal plane, and you should photograph it perpendiculary. this chart type is suitable for many mtf_mapper output options, including -a, -s, -q, and --lensprofile. the circular fiducial markers also let this chart type be used for iteratively adjusting the chart orientation — like, positioning it perpendicular to the camera's optical axis — using mtf_mapper's --chart-orientation output mode. icon behaviour only 👑
  • the grid chart is similar to the lensgrid chart, but it's an older design, and it is strongly recommended that you use the lensgrid chart instead. not me telling you the grid is vintage-coded 💀 similar grid-style charts, but with fewer target rectangles, can be generated using the halfgrid and thirdgrid types.
  • the focus chart is a single-purpose chart type designed to measure the position (distance) of peak focus. this chart must be photographed at an angle (45 degrees recommended), and it requires manual focusing. the --focus output option of mtf_mapper is specifically intended for this chart type 🎯
  • the mfperspective chart is another special chart type, designed to visualize the intersection of the "plane of best focus" and the test chart, which should be tilted at around 45 degrees. the --mfprofile output option of mtf_mapper is specifically intended for this chart type 🌈
• -d distance — sets the desired viewing distance from the chart for perspective mode. the distance is in mm, measured from the reference edge on the chart, to the camera focal plane 📏
• -h — displays usage information. the classic. the icon. when in doubt, she's there 🫶

💜 AUTHOR 💜

Frans van den Bergh <fvdbergh@gmail.com> Author. 💖

and that's the whole page bestie, we ate and left absolutely no crumbs 🍽️✨

this was MTF_GENERATE_TEST_CH(1), dated 05/09/2026 — catch you on the flip side, now go generate some charts 💅🌸