LUCID

Covert visual alteration utility.
Disguised as a native camera.

To access the secret control panel (Settings), simply tap the yellow PHOTO text located at the bottom center of the camera interface.

Inspiration

Inspired by Onyx

Before diving into mechanics, we must credit the pioneer. Lucid is heavily inspired by Onyx, a phenomenal application by legendary digital magic creator Marc Kerstein.

"Onyx uses cutting-edge AI to seamlessly alter photos in real-time right on the spectator's own device... remotely morph shadows, change signed cards, or reveal thought-of words in a genuine photo after it's been taken."

To perform at the absolute highest professional level utilizing the spectator's own device, we highly recommend supporting the original creator.

Get Onyx on App Store Visit Marc Kerstein's Website

System Setup

API Configuration

Lucid relies on Google's Gemini API. Follow these steps to connect your app:

Visit aistudio.google.com and sign in.
Go to "Get API Key" and create a new key.
Open Lucid's settings, and paste the key.
Set the model to gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview.

Template Editor

Lucid utilizes a dual-memory system. Templates for Real ➔ AI and AI ➔ Real are saved entirely separate from each other to prevent accidental cross-contamination.

Color Coding: Yellow UI indicates you are editing a Real ➔ AI template. Blue UI indicates an AI ➔ Real template.
Tied Configurations: When you click "Save as Draft" in the Modes & Prompt section, it records not just the AI prompt, but also the currently selected Trigger, Effect, and Delay into one unified template.
Invisible Directives: Lucid automatically appends hidden instructions (e.g., "photo realistic, keep other details exactly the same") to ensure the AI output looks like an unedited photograph.

Transition

Trigger: Choose Tap for a standard touch, or Swipe Up to mimic a magical gesture/wave over the device.
Effect: Choose Fade for a slow, morphing change, or Instant for a snappy, jarring change (ideal for visual magic).
Delay: Set a timer (in seconds) after the trigger is activated. This allows you to hand the phone to a spectator after triggering, letting the magic happen in their hands.

Prompt Switcher

Tap the 9-dots grid icon in the top-right corner of the main camera view to open the Prompt Switcher.

Instant Adaptation: Swap between your saved templates on the fly without having to open the full Settings menu.
Smart Carousel: Swipe horizontally to browse templates. Tapping a template instantly applies its prompt and transition mechanics, displaying a yellow checkmark to confirm it is active.

Performance

Execution Modes

The Reality Shift

Capture a photograph live during your performance. The spectator sees their actual reality in the gallery thumbnail. Upon your trigger, the subject visually morphs according to your prompt.

1

Select Real ➔ AI in Settings.

2

Capture the photo using the main shutter button.

3

Tap the gallery thumbnail to display the original photo.

4

Execute your chosen gesture (Tap/Swipe) to initiate the visual shift.

Memory Alteration

Designed for false-memory patter (e.g., "I took a photo of this earlier..."). Pre-capture backstage. The spectator views an altered reality first. Trigger to snap back to the actual present.

1

Select AI ➔ Real in Settings.

2

Tap Take Photo inside the Secret Prep section.

3

Wait for the Ready on Standby status.

4

During performance, open the gallery. The altered (AI) image displays first.

5

Trigger the transition to restore the true photograph.

Gallery Controls

Swipe →

Trigger

Single Tap or Swipe Up anywhere on the fullscreen image to initiate the visual shift.

Save to Roll

Double Tap rapidly on the gallery image to silently save the final altered photograph to your device.

Safe Zoom

Custom pinch-to-zoom ensures spectators can intuitively pan around without triggering native UI.

Dismiss Gallery

Swipe Down heavily while zoomed out to dismiss the gallery, perfectly mimicking OS behavior.

Technicals & Security

Covert Status Indicators

Knowing when the AI has finished processing without alerting the spectator is crucial. Lucid employs two virtually invisible indicators:

A

The Flash 'A' Indicator During the main camera view, a tiny 'A' (Auto) text next to the flash icon appears. Once generation is complete, the 'A' quietly vanishes.
The Micro-Dot If you open the gallery prematurely, a microscopic, semi-transparent dot appears in the lower-right area of the screen. When it disappears, it's safe to transition.

Memory Clean-Up & Stealth

Auto Wipe (Memory Clean-up): Upon completion of the visual transition, the pre-transition image (the "evidence") is permanently purged from local storage and RAM. If a spectator handles the device post-effect, they will only find the final, clean image. Closing and reopening the app will not resurrect the original image.

State Persistence: Pre-captured images in AI ➔ Real mode are cached securely. You can lock your phone or casually switch apps; the setup remains intact and ready in the background until the trick is formally executed.

Blackout Mode: When enabled, the screen automatically fades to pitch black after a configured delay post-transition. This forces the device into a "sleep-like" state, allowing you to casually pocket the device without exposing the web browser interface or risking accidental touches.