6.5. Gradient Flare

6.5.1. Overview

Figure 17.115. Example for the Gradient Flare filter

Original image

Filter “Gradient Flare” applied

Gradient Flare effect reminds the effect you get when you take a photograph of a blinding light source, with a halo and radiations around the source. The Gradient Flare image has three components: Glow which is the big central fireball, Rays and Second Flares

6.5.2. Activating the filter

This filter is found in the image window menu under Filters → Light and Shadow → Gradient Flare…

6.5.3. Options

The Settings tab allows you to set manually the parameters while the Selector tab let you choose presets in a list.

Preview

When Auto update preview is checked, parameter setting results are interactively displayed in preview without modifying the image until you click on OK button.

6.5.3.1. Settings

Figure 17.116. “Gradient Flare” filter options (Settings)

Center

You can set X and Y (pixels) coordinates of glint using the input box or by clicking into the preview. The coordinate origin is at the upper left corner.

Parameters

• Radius

  The radius of the effect. The slider limits the range of possible values, but using the input box you can enter greater values.

  Rotation

  Turn the effect.

  Hue rotation

  Change the tint (color) of the effect.

  Vector angle

  Turn the Second flares.

  Vector length

  Vary the distance applied for the Second flares.

Adaptive supersampling

Settings of the anti-aliasing following parameters like Depth and Threshold. (See also Supersampling.)

6.5.3.2. Selector

Figure 17.117. “Gradient Flare” filter options (Selector)

The Selector tab allows you to select a Gradient Flare pattern, to change it and save it.

New

When you click on this button, you create a new Gradient Flare pattern. Give it a name of your choice.

Edit

This button brings up the Gradient Flare Editor (see below).

Copy

This button allows you to duplicate selected Gradient Flare pattern. You can edit the copy without altering the original.

Delete

This button deletes the selected Gradient Flare pattern.

6.5.4. Gradient Flare Editor

The Gradient Flare Editor is also organized in tabs:

6.5.4.1. General

Figure 17.118. “Gradient Flare Editor” options (General)

Glow Paint Options

• Opacity

  Slider and input box allows you to reduce glow opacity (0-100).

  Paint mode

  You can choose between four modes:

  • Normal

    In this mode, the glow covers the image without taking into account what is beneath.

    Addition

    Pixel RGB values of glow are added to RGB values of the corresponding pixels in the image. Colors get lighter and white areas may appear.

    Overlay

    Light/Dark areas of glow enhance corresponding light/dark areas of image.

    Screen

    Dark areas of image are enlightened by corresponding light areas of glow. Imagine two slides projected onto the same screen.

Rays Paint Options

Options are the same as for Glow Paint Options.

Second Flare Paint Options

Options are the same as for Glow Paint Options.

6.5.4.2. Glow

Figure 17.119. “Gradient Flare Editor” options (Glow)

Gradients

By clicking on the rectangular buttons, you can develop a long list of gradients. “%” gradients belong to the Editor.

• Radial gradient

  The selected gradient is drawn radially, from center to edge.

  Angular gradient

  The selected gradient develops around center, counter-clockwise, starting from three o’clock if the Rotation parameter is set to 0. Radial and angular gradients are combined according to the Multiply mode: light areas are enhanced and colors are mixed according to CMYK color system (that of your printer).

  Angular size gradient

  This is a gradient of radius size which develops angularly. Radius is controlled according to gradient Luminosity: if luminosity is zero (black), the radius is 0%. If luminosity is 100% (white), the radius is also 100%.

Parameters

• Size (%)

  Sets size of glow in percent (0-200).

  Rotation

  Sets the origin of the angular gradient (-180 +180).

  Hue rotation

  Sets glow color, according to the HSV color circle (-180 +180). (Cf. The triangle color selector.)

6.5.4.3. Rays

Figure 17.120. “Gradient Flare Editor” options (Rays)

Gradients

The options are the same as for Glow.

Parameters

The first three options are the same as in Glow. Two are new:

• # of Spikes

  This option determines the number of spikes (1-300) but also their texture.

  Spike thickness

  When spikes get wider (1-100), they look like flower petals.

6.5.4.4. Second Flares

Figure 17.121. “Gradient Flare Editor” options (Second Flares)

Gradients

The options are the same as for Glow.

Parameters

Options are the same as in Glow.

Shape of Second Flares

Second flares, these satellites of the main flare, may have two shapes: Circle and Polygon. You can set the Number polygon sides. The option accepts 1 side (!), not 2.

Random seed

The random generator will use this value as a seed to generate random numbers. You can use the same value to repeat the same “random” sequence several times.

Randomize

When you click on this button, you produce a random seed that will be used by the random generator. It is each time different.