Is a CRT look just scanlines?

No. Tube curvature, phosphor color structure, mask or grille behavior, glow, and edge response are all part of the display's visual character.

Why does the mask shimmer after export?

Fine repeated stripes can alias during scaling or compression. Judge them at final size and reduce Shadow Mask when needed.

Can CRT work in print?

Yes, but proof the physical output because phosphor stripes can merge or form unintended moire after resampling.

Open the FX panel, choose Atmosphere, and add CRT. Its controls are Curvature, Shadow Mask, and Bloom.

Your Fake CRT Looks Cheap—Stop at the Scanlines

A tube display is curved glass, phosphors, masks, bloom, and decades of accumulated emotional baggage. Three gray lines over a clean render are not fooling anybody.

Quick answer

A CRT scans an electron beam across phosphors behind curved glass, with a shadow mask or grille helping steer color. Ether-MOSH models the look with Curvature, Shadow Mask, and Bloom—not a lonely scanline overlay wearing nostalgia as a fake mustache.

Open Ether-MOSH