[{{ paag_aliasing_and_antialiasing.png|a) imagined continuous source signal (yellow)\\ b) perceptual artifacts (white)\\ c) sample (gray)}}] **Aliasing** refers to perceptual distortions or artifacts which are caused by sampling errors when converting a continuous source signal, as seen by the eye, the camera or as imagined, into discrete values on a fixed digital raster.

**Antialiasing** (AA) is an umbrella term for all techniques which aim to lessen the unwanted perceptual artifacts, e.g. by:
  - lowering contrast
  - averaging or inventing new sample values
  - increasing resolution

and others or combinations of these.

(In the example image here, aliasing also shows within the imagined continuous source signal itself.)

further reading:
  * [[wp>Aliasing]]
  * [[wp>Jaggies]]