This filter can be used to soften either a selected area or a complete image or layer. It works by averaging the pixels in a specified area. It is more sophisticated than Blur Fixed, as you can specify the amount of blurring you want to achieve and the direction in which the blur goes. For standard blurs, enter a radius figure between 0 and 300.
For directional blurs enter a radius figure between 0 and 50, or use the slider to adjust the number automatically. The higher the number, the more blurred the effect, and because this filter utilises Apples graphics accelerated framework Metal, the effects are previewed and applied rapidly.
Instructions
- Open the Filter Browser, and add a new filter set using the small + icon located in the middle of the window. This will create a new ‘untitled’ filter set for you. This will appear in the top section of the Filter Browser. If you already have filter sets created, clicking the + button will duplicate the selected filter set.
- Select Blur Gaussian... from the list of available filters in the lower section of the Filter Browser
- Double click on the name of the new filter set in the top section of the browser, and name it appropriately
- Choose which type of blur you wish to apply from the variables which appear.
- Standard - will blur pixels in all directions
- Horizontal Only - will only blur pixels in a horizontal fashion
- Vertical Only - will only blur pixels in a vertical fashion. These two options are perfect for blurring woodgrains
- Directional - allows you to choose the direction of your blur by adjusting the angle slider bar
Enter a value into the dialog box if you know exactly the value you wish to use. Alternatively, use the slider bar to change these values as you assess the effects in the Design Window.
Note: Holding down ⌥ (option key) as you adjust the slider will help you to make very fine changes.
In the image below, the filtered effect is shown on the right, with the original information shown on the left. 
Tip: This can be a useful filter for creating fabric effects such as a felted fabric appearance. Simply blur an 8 bit layer that has some patterned detail on it, add the brush filter and then blur again.
Applying the filter
There are several ways to apply the filter:
- Click Apply - this will apply the filter to the active layer(s), and within a selection if there is one present in your file
- Click Make Layer - this will make a new layer in your file containing the filtered effect, leaving the original layer untouched
- Apply the filter using the Brush Tool - when you have finished building your filter set, simply close the Filter Browser. Then, open the Brushes Library, and select the filter you have just made from the drop down menu shown in the snapshot below. You can now paint with your filter.
Note: The default setting for the Brush Tool is ‘Brush”, located at the top of this drop down menu. To prevent you from becoming confused between the default setting and a filter setting, do not name any filters ‘Brush’. When you have finished painting with your filter, set the drop down menu back to the Brush setting, otherwise the Brush Tool may not behave as you would expect later on.
Applying the filter over a repeat join
Some of the filters do not work correctly across repeat joins when used in the normal way. Therefore it is important to follow this method to make sure the filter works correctly and doesn’t affect the join. Your design must repeat correctly before you do this.
- Open the design you wish to apply the filter to
- Open the Selections Palette from the Window Menu
- Press Offset Repeat. If you are not already viewing multiple repeats of your design, AVA will automatically put your design into s 2×2 repeat when you press this. A selection the size of a single repeat will appear in your file, offset to the first repeat, which is framed in black in the snapshot below:
- Activate the layer / image you want run the filter on
- Open the Filter Browser
- Apply your filter, and it will work correctly in repeat, with no obvious repeat joins
Note: In the image above, the vertical line indicates the repeat join.