FilmoraPro User Guide

FilmoraPro’s Distort tool can be very useful, whether you want to add lively graphics to a video or simply wish to manipulate images with ease. This tool is used to change the shape and behavior of a layer. Like many of the video effects found on FilmoraPro video editing software, using Distort effects gives you complete control over the outcome of your video or artwork.

Below we discuss the various effects and options within FilmoraPro’s Distort tool.

Bulge effect

FilmoraPro’s Bulge effect warps an image around a specified point and creates the illusion of a bulging shape pushing through the layer. This effect can make the image to either appear to protrude outwards or sink away from the viewer.

The size and depth of the bulge will depend on the options you select. You can also choose from multiple bulge shapes.

Center: Moves the focal point of the bulge around the image frame.

Bulge: High values stretch the image, while low values pinch the image

Radius: Adjusts the size of the distorted area.

Plateau: Generates a flat area without distortion at the center of the bulge.

Wrap: Determines the level of distortion at the edges of the layer/frame.

Shape: Changes the shape of the bulge.

Scale X/Y: Alters the ratio of the bulge along the horizontal and vertical axes. When this option is applied, the bulge can be pinched or stretched in a specified direction.

Heat Distortion effect

This video effect simulates realistic heat waves. It comes with controls for intensity, direction, speed, amount and more.

Scale: Sets the scale of the distortion

Distortion: Sets the strength of heat distortion on a layer.

Diffusion Bias: High values will make the blur more prevalent.

Diffusion Strength: Adjusts the intensity of the blur.

Distortion Rotation: Changes the direction of the distortion.

Distort Single Axis: This applies heat distortion in a single direction. Using the Distortion Rotation setting above you can set specific angle.

Heat Distortion Animation

The heat distortion effect can be made to look even more realistic by adding animation, sometimes referred to as haze effect. You can control movement of heat distortion animation using these settings:

Wind Direction: Adjusts the direction of the haze effect.

Noise Speed: Alters the speed of the of heat noise. Also changes the shape of the haze effect.

Wind Speed: This setting changes the speed and intensity of movement along the direction of the haze effect.

Heat Noise

Heat noise typically manifests itself as random grainy speckles. This effect can further enhance the accuracy of heat distortion animation.

Heat noise is manipulated using:

Seed: This setting gives heat noise a random shape.

Interpolation: This setting changes the appearance of the heat noise with 3 options available: Linear Interpolation which links points in the matrix using the easiest path, Cubic Interpolation which links points in a smoother path and Block Interpolation uses a more distorted way to connect. Based on your needs, choose either option to get an alternative effect.

Transform

When Transform is applied, the different layers of heat noise are blended to form the final heat distortion effect.

Transform settings will affect the primary noise, while Sub Settings will tweak the sub levels of noise to fine tune the distortion effect.

Position: Adjusts locus of the heat noise distortion.

Use Layer: Moves the locus of distortion to a different layer.

Rotation: Changes the angle of rotation of noise distortion.

X & Y Axis Scale: These modify the scale of heat noise distortion by altering position along the X& Y axes.

Sub Settings

Sub Levels: This increases/decreases the sub levels used to calculate distortion. Higher values of this setting will add more detail to the heat distortion.

Influence: This option adjusts the level of influence with which the sub levels alter the heat noise distortion.

Scale: Changes the size of the area affected by the sub levels.

Rotation: Controls the degree of rotation of the sub levels on the heat noise distortion.

Offset: Alters sub levels’ location relative to the location of the noise distortion.

Center Subscale: Applying this setting connects the centers of the different subscale layers.

Insect Vision effect

FilmoraPro’s Insect Vision effect generates a honeycomb lens pattern that is similar to the image reflected in an insect's compound eye.

Rotation: Rotates the hexagonal cells’ overlay

Lens Size: Changes the size of individual cells.

Zoom: Adjusts the zoom within the cells.

Iris Bulge: Adds a bulge effect within each cell.

Wrap: This affects distortion at the edge of frame.

Magnify effect

The Magnify effect zooms in on a specific area of a layer. It creates the illusion of a magnifying lens placed over part of the image. This effect can be used magnify the entire image several times its size without losing resolution. You can alter the shape, size and focal point of this distortion effect.

Center: Adjusts the focal point of magnification.

Radius: Changes the size of the area distorted by magnification.

Magnification: Scales the percentage of magnification.

Bulge: Creates a bulge on a fixed point on the layer.

Shape: Changes the shape of the area distorted by magnification.

Blend: When this option is applied, the edges where the distorted area and the original image meet are blended to create a smooth transition. You can also select the None option to create transparent pixels around the edges of the distorted area.

Mosaic effect

The Mosaic effect divides a layer into solid-colored blocks, creating pixelation.

This effect is most commonly used to create the illusion of a low-resolution image or to conceal faces or text for security or anonymity.

Vertical Blocks: Sets the number of blocks in each column.
Horizontal Blocks: Sets the number of blocks within each row

Twirl effect

The Twirl effect twists an area of a layer, creating an illusion of a spinning image.

Angle: Controls the degree of spin. Turn the dial to the right to spin the image clockwise; turning it to the left will spin the image anticlockwise. You can also animate the twirl effect to create the illusion of a whirlpool.

Center: Sets the focal point of the spin effect.

Radius: This determines the distance the spin effect radiates from the focal point. Radius is calculated as a percentage of width or height of the layer, whichever is greater. A radius with a value of 50 or greater generates a spin effect that touches the edges of the layer.

Wrap: Adjusts spin at the edges of the distorted area.

Witness Protection effect

FilmoraPro’s Witness Protection effect provides the perfect way to obscure a specific area within an image. This effect can be used to hide faces, watermarks, serial numbers or other text containing sensitive information.

Witness Protection effect is applied using either blurring or pixelation.

Size: Adjusts size the area distorted by the Witness Protection effect.

Edge Softness: Smooths the edges of the distorted area.

Scale X/Y: Stretches the distorted area along the X & Y axes.

Rotation: Rotates the distorted area.

Center: Sets the focal point of the Witness Protection effect.

Method: Choose between blurring or pixelation.

Block Size: Controls pixel size.

Randomize Source: Rearranges pixels within the distorted area to further obscure the original image.