Applying a Pixelate Effect

A pixel is the smallest piece of a digital image, arranged in rows and columns. When you reduce the resolution of your image, the size of the pixel increases and produces blurring. You can use the Pixelate effect to increase the size of the pixels in your image.

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

To Apply a Pixelate 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 Pixelate.
  3. On the Pixelate panel, drag the Width and Height sliders to set the size of the pixels in your image. Check the Square checkbox to make the width and height equal.
  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.

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: