# create_ascii_render

Turn any TOP into a character-grid ASCII render: quantise input luminance into a (W/cell × H/cell) grid, then look up each glyph from a monospace character atlas. Supports mono, source-color (per-cell tint), and two-color (lerp by luminance) modes. Phosphor-green default for the Severance / CRT terminal look. Creates a resolutionTOP (cells), textTOP (atlas), glslTOP, and nullTOP output inside a new baseCOMP. Exposes Mix, CellSize, and Charset controls.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `create_ascii_render`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-ascii-render

## Facts

- Tool: `create_ascii_render`
- Server: tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server (`@dpantani/tdmcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp.md
- Install: `npx -y @dpantani/tdmcp`
- Homepage: https://github.com/Pantani/tdmcp
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "create_ascii_render",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why create_ascii_render is rated Medium

This tool modifies the TouchDesigner project by creating new operators and containers, which constitutes a Write operation (reversible creation of data/components). While it performs rendering operations on visual data, the primary effect is to create and add new nodes to the project network. The changes are reversible (components can be deleted), so it does not reach Destructive severity.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool creates new components and operators in TouchDesigner: 'Creates a resolutionTOP (cells), textTOP (atlas), glslTOP, and nullTOP output inside a new baseCOMP."

## Use case

AI agents use create_ascii_render to create or update resources in tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "create_ascii_render": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_ascii_render_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server (333)

- `delete_td_node` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/delete-td-node.md
- `manage_checkpoint` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/manage-checkpoint.md
- `refresh_asset_previews` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/refresh-asset-previews.md
- `repair_network` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/repair-network.md
- `apply_glsl_top_mapping` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/apply-glsl-top-mapping.md
- `audio_fingerprint_to_visual` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/audio-fingerprint-to-visual.md
- `auto_repair_loop` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/auto-repair-loop.md
- `batch_operations` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/batch-operations.md
- `build_chop_chain` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/build-chop-chain.md
- `build_pop_chain` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/build-pop-chain.md
- `build_sop_geometry` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/build-sop-geometry.md
- `connect_daydream_cloud` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/connect-daydream-cloud.md
- `control_timeline_transport` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/control-timeline-transport.md
- `create_ai_mirror` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-ai-mirror.md
- `create_body_bubbles` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-body-bubbles.md
- `create_cue_sequencer` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-cue-sequencer.md
- `create_depth_pop_field` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-depth-pop-field.md
- `create_energy_structure` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-energy-structure.md
- `create_engine_comp` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-engine-comp.md
- `create_gpu_particle_field` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-gpu-particle-field.md
- `create_growth_system` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-growth-system.md
- `create_interactive_projection_mapping` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-interactive-projection-mapping.md
- `create_led_mapper` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-led-mapper.md
- `create_llm_chain` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-llm-chain.md
- `create_panic` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-panic.md
- `create_particle_flock` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-particle-flock.md
- `create_phrase_locked_cue_engine` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-phrase-locked-cue-engine.md
- `create_sdf_field` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-sdf-field.md
- `create_set_navigator` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-set-navigator.md
- `create_setlist_runner` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/create-setlist-runner.md
- …and 303 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-pantani-tdmcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-pantani-tdmcp