Blur Filters
Blur Filters
Blur filters soften images by decreasing contrast between neighboring pixels. These commands work with all image modes except Indexed and Black & White.
Apply the Blur filters by choosing Image | Filter | Blur or by using the Filters menu in the Properties bar.
To Use Blur and Blur More:
Blur slightly modifies an image. Blur More is about four times stronger than Blur. Both commands work with all image modes except Black & White and Indexed.
- Select one or more paint objects to blur. You can select an area in one image to blur the selected area only.
- Choose Image | Filter | Blur | Blur or Blur More.
Gaussian and Average Blur
Create a softening effect by using the Gaussian Blur or Average blur filters. Their effects are similar, but the Gaussian Blur filter creates a more diffused effect than the Average blur filter.
The Gaussian Blur filter changes the color value of each pixel by applying a weighted average based on the color values of pixels within a specified distance. Color values at the edge of the specified distance influence the final color value less than closer pixels.
The Average filter determines the new color value for each pixel by equally averaging all color values within the specified radius.
To Apply Gaussian Blur or Average Blur:
- Select one or more paint objects to blur. You can select an area in one image to blur the selected area only.
- Choose Image | Filter | Blur | Gaussian Blur or Average.
- Specify a radius value from 0.1 to 250.0 in the Gaussian Blur dialog box, or 1 to 16 in the Average dialog box. Smaller radius values produce more subtle effects than larger ones.
- Click OK.
Depending on the size of the radius, applying a Gaussian or Average blur can take longer than other Blur filters.
 Blur |  Blur More |  Average |  Gaussian |
Motion Blur
The Motion Blur filter can create the effect of linear movement. You can specify the direction and magnitude of the effect. This command works with all image modes except Black & White, Indexed, and Duotone.
To Apply Motion Blur:
- Select one or more paint objects to blur. You can select an area in one image to blur the selected area only.
- Choose Image | Filter | Blur | Motion Blur. Adjust the settings in the Motion Blur dialog box, and then click OK to apply the filter and close the dialog box.
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Original | Motion Blur: Direction = -7, Distance = 162, Phase = -63 |
Motion Blur Dialog Box
Direction | Establishes the angle of the blur and the object “movement.” Enter a value from -90 to 90 degrees. You can drag the slider or drag the solid dot inside the circle to set the Direction value. A value of 0 degrees creates a horizontal blur; 90 degrees creates a vertical blur. |
Distance | The magnitude of the blur. Enter a number from 1 to 999, or drag the slider to set the Distance. A lower number creates less blurring. |
Phase | Establishes the apparent direction of movement by creating a blurred trail that follows the object. Enter a number from -100 to 100 or drag the slider to set the Phase. Negative numbers create apparent movement up and to the right. Positive numbers create apparent movement down and to the left. |
Preview | Displays the effect of the current settings. |
Radial Blur
The Radial Blur filter can create the effect of circular movement in an image. This command works with all image modes except Black & White, Indexed, and Duotone.
To Apply Radial Blur:
- Select one or more paint objects to blur. You can select an area in one image to blur the selected area only.
- Choose Image | Filter | Blur | Radial Blur. Adjust the settings in the dialog box, and then click OK to apply the filter.
Radial Blur Dialog Box
Spin | Controls the magnitude of the apparent rotation in the image. Type a number from 1 to 100 or drag the slider to set the value. Or, drag the solid area inside the circle. Drag clockwise to simulate slower rotation; drag counterclockwise to simulate faster rotation and produce more blurring. |
Quality | Higher quality creates a smoother image but takes more time. The quality differences become more pronounced when the image is enlarged or printed on standard size paper. Select Draft for the fastest redraw. Select Good for average redraw speed and quality. Select Best when image quality is most important. |
Centering options | These options let you set the rotation origin. Center In Image sets the origin at the center of the image. Center in Selection sets the origin at the center of a selection. “Offset from Center in Pixels” lets you type values to offset the origin from the center of the image or selection. Type vertical and horizontal offset amounts in pixels in the text boxes. Negative horizontal offsets move the center to the left. Negative vertical offsets move the center up. Positive horizontal offsets move the center to the right. Positive vertical offsets move the center down. |
Preview | Displays the effect of the current settings. |
Zoom Blur
The Zoom Blur filter can create the effect of movement in an image, as if the scene were moving rapidly toward or away from the observer. The filter blurs along an axis perpendicular to the image. You can specify the depth, direction, and smoothness of the blur effect. This command works with all image modes except Black & White, Indexed, and Duotone.
To Apply Zoom Blur:
- Select one or more paint objects to blur. You can select an area in one image to blur the selected area only.
- Choose Image | Filter | Blur | Zoom Blur. Adjust the settings in the dialog box, and then click OK to apply the filter.
Zoom Blur Dialog Box
Span | Sets the depth, (length) of the zoom effect. Type a number from 1 to 100 or drag the slider to set the value. A larger number simulates a greater zoom depth and a more blurred effect. |
Zoom In/Out | Establishes the direction of the blur effect toward or away from the viewer. Type a number from -100 to 100 or drag the slider to set the value. Negative numbers make the image appear to move closer; positive numbers make the image appear to move away. |
Smoothness | Controls the quality of the transition of the blur effect. Type a number from 1 to 10 or drag the slider to set the value. A smaller number creates a smoother blur with fine color blending. |
Centering options | These options let you set the zoom origin. Center In Image sets the origin at the center of the image. Center in Selection sets the origin at the center of a selection. “Offset from Center in Pixels” lets you type values to offset the origin from the center of the image or selection. Type vertical and horizontal offset amounts in pixels in the text boxes. Negative horizontal offsets move the center to the left. Negative vertical offsets move the center up. Positive horizontal offsets move the center to the right. Positive vertical offsets move the center down. |
Preview | Displays the effect of the current settings. |
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