Applying a Ripple Effect

You can use the Ripple effect to divide your images into concentric circles that resembles what you see when you drop a pebble into water. Select or change the Ripple settings to apply to your image, such as position, strength and more.

You can save your settings as a preset for future use.

To Apply a Ripple Effect:

  1. In Edit mode, in the Add group, select Special Effect.
  2. You can also access the Special Effects menu from the Filter drop-down menu or Filter toolbar.

  3. Click Ripple.
  4. On the Ripple panel, set the options as described below.
  5. Do one of the following:
    • Click Done to accept your changes and close the panel.
    • Click Cancel to discard your changes and close the panel.

Ripple Options

Horizontal position

Specifies the center of the ripples on the horizontal axis. A value of 500 places the ripples in the middle of the image.

Vertical position

Specifies the center of the ripples on the vertical axis. A value of 500 places the ripples in the middle of the image.

Amplitude

Specifies the depth and height of each ripple.

Wavelength

Specifies the amount of space between ripples.

Light strength

Specifies the amount of light contrast between the top and bottom of each ripple.

Background color

Specifies the background color of the filtered image. Check the Image checkbox to use the original image colors, or click the color picker to select a different color.

Ripple direction

Specifies the direction of the ripples. Select one or both of the following:

  • Ripple vertically: makes the ripples move towards the top and bottom of the image.
  • Ripple horizontally: makes the ripples move towards the right and left sides of the image.

You can right-click a slider to reset to the default value.

You can use the Edit Brush to paint this effect onto specific areas of your image.

You can use the Gradient tool to transition this effect across specific areas of your image.

You can use the Radial Gradient tool to apply effects around, or directly to, a center point.

See also: