Applying a Swirl Effect

You can use the Swirl effect to rotate and stretch people and objects in your image.

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

To Apply a Swirl 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 Swirl.
  3. On the Swirl 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.

Swirl Options

Horizontal position

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

Vertical position

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

Radius

Specifies the size of the swirl effect.

Strength

Specifies the strength and direction of the swirl. Higher values create a clockwise swirl, while negative values create a counter-clockwise swirl.

Focus

Specifies the concentration of the swirl. Higher values concentrate the effect on the center of the swirl, while lower values spread the swirl across the image.

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.

Swirl direction

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

  • Swirl horizontally: moves the swirl towards the top and bottom of the image.
  • Swirl vertically: moves the swirl 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: