Changelog • surreal

surreal (development version)

CRAN release: 2026-10-09

surreal_app() has a demo that runs in a web browser through Shinylive, with nothing to install, at https://r-pkg.thecoatlessprofessor.com/surreal/demo/ (#5).
surreal_app() gains two tabs. Search plays back the search that makes a dataset, and Selection steps through forward selection among decoy predictors (#6, #7).
surreal_decoys() adds predictors of pure noise to a dataset, so the hidden image shows only for the model with the real predictors (#6).
surreal_path() runs forward selection and records every step. Its plot() method draws the share each step explained against the criterion’s charge for a predictor, the criterion and the residual plot at a step (#6, #7).
surreal_text_points() and surreal_image_points() return the points that surreal_text() and surreal_image() hide, as x and y coordinates (#6).
surreal_trace() records every iteration of the search that makes a dataset, and its plot() method draws the image as it stood at an iteration. A step below 1 slows the search down (#6).

surreal(), surreal_text() and surreal_image() are much faster and use far less memory on large images. The data they return for a given seed is unchanged (#6).
surreal_app() download buttons hand over their files when the app runs in a web browser (#5).
surreal_app() shows the generated message in the Source pane, in its download and after Undo (#5).
surreal_app() shows code that runs when the message has a quotation mark or a line break in it (#6).
surreal_image() finds an image drawn in two light tones, such as light gray on white (#6).
surreal_image() reads an image address with a query string, such as picture.jpg?raw=1, in its own format (#6).
surreal_text() gives a clear error for text with no visible characters (#6).

CRAN release: 2026-01-11

surreal_image(): Create surreal datasets directly from image files or URLs. Supports PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, and SVG formats with automatic mode detection and threshold calculation.
surreal_app(): Launch an interactive Shiny application for exploring the surreal algorithm. Includes demo datasets, custom text input, image uploads, and real-time parameter controls. Export results to CSV or download plots.

CRAN release: 2024-09-12

surreal(): embeds a hidden image supplied by (x, y) coordinates into a data set that seemingly has no pattern until the residuals are plotted.
surreal_text(): embeds a hidden text pattern into a data set that seemingly has no pattern until the residuals are plotted.
Included data:
- r_logo_image_data: a data set containing the R logo image that can be hidden using the surreal() function.
- jack_o_lantern_image_data: a data set containing a hidden jack-o-lantern image.