Distortion filters

Distortion filters move pixels in your image to produce various distortion effects.

Filters are applied to your image from the Filters menu (destructive) or Layer menu (non-destructive) and mostly include customisable settings alongside general options. Non-destructive filters are called live filters, and, once applied, they can be identified as both a filter and a specific filter type by using unique symbols.

Filter name Description Regular filter
(destructive)
Live filter
(non‑destructive) with layer symbol
Affine Moves, scales, or rotates by percentage amounts. check
Deform Distorts from one or more anchor point positions. check
Displace Distorts using a displacement map. check check Displace live filter type
Equations Apply custom transform filter based on mathematical expressions. check
Lens Correction Apply a lens profile to fix various distortions by straightening and aligning lines in an image. check
Lens Distortion Fixes barrel and pincushion lens distortions. check check Lens distortion live filter type
Liquify Apply non-destructive liquify distortions to the entire image or masked regions of it. check Liquify live filter type
Mesh Warp Warp an image by constructing and manipulating an overlaid, flexible mesh grid. check check Mesh Warp live filter type
Mirror Provides a reflection using one or more mirrors. check
Perspective A filter based on the Perspective Tool. check check Perspective live filter type
Pinch/Punch Squeezes or bulges an image area. check check Pinch/Punch live filter type
Pixelate Creates blocks of colour to obscure image areas. check
Polar to Rectangular Distorts by changing polar to rectilinear X/Y coordinates. check
Rectangular to Polar Distorts by changing rectilinear X/Y to polar coordinates. check
Ripple Produces a radial rippling effect. check check Ripple live filter type
Shear Apply a linear or curved shear to an image horizontally and/or vertically. check
Spherical Creates a convex or concave sphere distortion. check check Spherical live filter type
Twirl Creates a clockwise or anti-clockwise twirl effect. check check Twirl live filter type

SEE ALSO: