Applying a Bulge Effect

Use the Bulge effect to stretch or shrink areas of your images horizontally and vertically. You can customize the strength, radius and position of the distortion.

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

To Apply a Bulge 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.

  2. Click Bulge.
  3. On the Bulge panel, set the options as described below.
  4. 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.

Bulge and Shrink Options

Horizontal position

Specifies the center of the distortion along the horizontal axis. A lower value moves the distortion towards the left side of the image, while a higher value moves it towards the right side of the image.

Vertical position

Specifies the center of the distortion along the vertical axis. A lower value moves the distortion towards the bottom of the image, while a higher value moves it towards the top of the image.

Radius

Specifies the radius of the distorted area. A lower value decreases the radius of the distortion, while a higher value increases the radius of the distortion.

Strength

Specifies the strength of the distortion. A negative value shrinks the center of the distortion, while a higher value bulges the distortion.

Background color

Specifies the background color for the filtered image.

Check the Image checkbox to use the original image color, or click the color picker to select a different color.

Bulge direction

Specifies the direction of the distortion. Select one or both of the following options:

  • Horizontal: moves the distortion horizontally.
  • Vertical: moves the distortion vertically.

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: