1. Section 5: Filters and special Effects
Lesson 30: An overview of Pixlr’s filters
Blur filter: The blur filter simply blurs the image, layer or selection. The filter can be
applied several times to get the appropriate result.
Gaussian Blur: A Gaussian blur is the result of blurring an image by a Gaussian function.
It is a widely used effect in graphics software, typically to reduce image noise and reduce
detail.
Sharpen filter: The sharpen filter simply sharpens the image, layer or selection. The filter
can be applied several times to get the appropriate result.
Noise Filter: Applying the noise filter to an image will add statics, this can be used to give
it a older worn down look. The setting you can adjust are Amount 5-400 and if the noise
should be Monochromatic (Black&white) or in color.
Diffuse Filter: Applying the diffuse filter to an image will move pixels around to give it a
diffuse look. The setting you can adjust is Amount 0-20 which is the maximum distance
from its origin the filter moves a pixel.
Scanlines Filter: Applying the scanlines filter to an image will simulate the effect that old
TVs had. The setting you can adjust are Amount 0-100 and if the lines should be
Horizontal or vertical.
Halftone Filter: The halftone filter calculates the darkness of an area and draws a point to
the amount of dark colors. The settings you can adjust are the Size of the dots, the
Multiplier and also if you want to invert the effect.
Pixelate Filter: Applying the pixelate filter to an image will create blocks of color of an area
to remove image information. The setting you can adjust is Cell size which sets the square
size of pixels to make into a single color.
Pointinize Filter: The pointinize filter will create a cool looking effect by dividing the
image into dots or circles. The setting you can adjust is what type of Points you want to
use.
Water swirl Filter: To give your image some swirly effects use this filter. You can set how
much swirl you like with the amount setting.
Kaleidoscope Filter: Do you remember those toys you used when you were young that
you looked into and with mirrors it gave you some amazing patterns. This filter simulates
something like that. The settings you can adjust are the Size and the Position of the effect.
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2. Tilt-Shift Filter: Miniature faking is a post-processing technique, which involves selectively
blurring a photo to simulate the narrow depth of field found in macro photography and
some tilt-shift photography, making the image appear to be of a miniature model.
(Wikipedia) The settings you can adjust are the Size and Position of the focus area and
also add colors to heighten the effect.
Vignette Filter: Applying the vignette filter to an image will add a sort of gradient on the
corners of the image. This filter gives the image a deeper look and works well on most
scenes. The settings you can adjust are the Size of the gradient and the Color.
Pastels Filter: Applying the pastels filter to an image will give the image a effect of pastel
painting. The settings you can adjust are the Size of the brush. Warning a larger brush will
take longer time to apply.
Cross Process Filter: The cross process filter is one of my personal favorites and can
make almost any image look more interesting.
Old Photo Filter: Applying the old photo filter to an image will water out the colors and
mimic a very old photo.
Art Poster Filter: The art poster filter is a Pixlr original and mimics a painting. The settings
you can adjust are the Amount, the Color and the possibility to Invert the effect.
Heat map Filter: Applying the heat map filter to an image will mimic a heat seeking
camera.
Color lookup filter: The color lookup filter matches the lightness in each pixel and
matches it with a value in a gradient. The result is endless and only you can decide the
result.
Tri tone filter: The tri tone filter uses three colors to match the shadows, mid-tones and
highlights in an image.
Emboss Filter: Applying the emboss filter to an image will give it a type of chiseled effect.
Engrave Filter: Applying the engrave filter to an image will add a chiseled effect.
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