This filter twists the design around a central point, producing some interesting effects.
Instructions
- Open the Filter Browser, and add a new filter set using the small + icon located in the middle of the browser. 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 Twirl Distortion 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.
- Edit the variables to achieve the result you need
- Radius - adjusts the diameter of the twirl effect
- Angle - controls the angle of the twirl
In the snapshot below, the original data is on the left, and the filtered data is on the right.
Tip: Use this filter on files which contain individual motifs, then copy and paste the results into a main design.
Applying the filter
There are several ways to apply a 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.
Using the Centre options
The origin of the effect applied by this filter will be the centre of the design, unless you specify a new origin using a pin or selection.
Around a pin
- Select the Pin Tool from the Tools Palette
- Click in the area of the design you want to apply this effect around. This will place a pin in that area.
- The origin of the effect applied by this filter will be the centre of the design, unless you specify a new origin using a pin or selection.
In relation to a selection
- Draw a selection around the area you wish to apply the filter, and press the Selection button under the filters variables. The new origin will be shown in brackets underneath, and the effect will now be centred within the selection.
Clearing the Centre options
- Press the X at any time to clear the new origins
