Hi Adobe Community,
I'm looking to create a radial distortion/displacement effect on an image — kind of like it's being warped from the centre outward, almost like a ripple, spin, or lens-distortion burst. Think of it like the image is pulling or stretching out from a central point.
I'm working in Photoshop (but open to Illustrator or After Effects if that’s better), and I’d love to achieve this effect in a non-destructive or editable way if possible.
A few questions:
What’s the best tool or filter to start with for this kind of radial distortion?
Would a displacement map work better than the distort > polar coordinates filter?
Can I use a gradient map or radial pattern as a base for the displacement?
Any plugins or brushes you’d recommend for this?
If anyone has a method they love — or even just keywords or tutorials to look up — I’d be really grateful. 🙌
Thanks in advance for your help!
2 Correct answers
I am not sure I am fully understanding what this should look like.
I did this very quickly using Step & Repeat and reversing the layers.
I add a black stroke (same colour as the background) to the original layer to diferentiate each layer.
There's a nifty trick someone shared on this forum recently, that makes it possible to use Step & Repeat on Smart Objects. If you used this you could experiment by trying something like outer glow to soften the layer transition. (I have just realised that
...
You can do this witht the Filter Gallery > Sketch > Halftone Pattern, with Pattern Type set to Circle, and Contrast set to maximum.
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Replies
I am not sure I am fully understanding what this should look like.
I did this very quickly using Step & Repeat and reversing the layers.
I add a black stroke (same colour as the background) to the original layer to diferentiate each layer.
There's a nifty trick someone shared on this forum recently, that makes it possible to use Step & Repeat on Smart Objects. If you used this you could experiment by trying something like outer glow to soften the layer transition. (I have just realised that I am not even sure if changing a Smart Object's Layer Style is reflected on all copies of that SO.)
If you have any other examples of the look you a trying for, or describe in more detail, I am sure people will try and work it out.
You can do this witht the Filter Gallery > Sketch > Halftone Pattern, with Pattern Type set to Circle, and Contrast set to maximum.
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