Blur filters

The blur filters soften a selection or an image, and are useful for retouching. They smooth transitions by averaging the pixels next to the hard edges of defined lines and shaded areas in an image.

Note: To apply a Blur filter to the edges of a layer, be sure to deselect the Preserve Transparency option in the Layers palette.

Blur and Blur More (Photoshop)

Eliminate noise where significant color transitions occur in an image. Blur filters smooth transitions by averaging the pixels next to the hard edges of defined lines and shaded areas. The Blur More filter produces an effect three or four times stronger than that of the Blur filter.

Gaussian Blur

Quickly blurs a selection by an adjustable amount. Gaussian refers to the bell-shaped curve that is generated when Adobe Photo-shop applies a weighted average to the pixels. The Gaussian Blur filter adds low-frequency detail and can produce a hazy effect.

Motion Blur (Photoshop)

Blurs in a particular direction (from -360º to +360º) and at a specific intensity (from 1 to 999). The filter's effect is analogous to taking a picture of a moving object with a fixed exposure time.

Radial Blur

Simulates the blur of a zooming or rotating camera to produce a soft blur. Choose Spin, to blur along concentric circular lines, and then specify a degree of rotation; or Zoom, to blur along radial lines, as if zooming in or out of the image, and specify an amount from 1 to 100. Blur quality ranges from Draft for the fastest but grainy results; or Good and Best for smoother results, which are indistinguishable except on a large selection. Specify the origin of the blur by dragging the pattern in the Blur Center box.

Smart Blur

Precisely blurs an image. You can specify a radius, to determine how far the filter searches for dissimilar pixels to blur; a threshold, to determine how different the pixels' values should be before they are eliminated; and a blur quality. You also can set a mode for the entire selection (Normal), or for the edges of color transitions (Edge Only and Overlay). Where significant contrast occurs, Edge Only applies black-and-white edges, and Overlay Edge applies white.