On 01/10/2010 17:36, Frank McCormick wrote:
Hello all--
I have a jpg which I would like to blur the background (focus
blur I guess) - But I would like the blur to be gradual - when I
have done this in the past the line between blurred and unblurred is
too sharp. I have tried the feather selection, but it doesn't seem to
work very well. Any suggestions ??
Thanks
A slightly more manual method using a filter I wrote, where you can
select what part of the image remains completely sharp...
1) get and install my WrapMap filter (requires python support) from
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gimp-wrapmap/. I suggest you play with
it a bit to get acquainted first.
2) duplicate your sharp image (let's call it the 'Sharp" layer) to
another layer (("Blurred"), and blur it to the maximum blur you want to
get. Put it on top.
3) add a layer to that image (the "Map", which should as wide as your
transition area (for performance reasons, avoid being bigger that 200
pixels). This layer can also be in a separate image...
4) fill "Map" with a left to right gradient, black to white.
5) In "Sharp" select the part that should be kept sharp (lasso
selection, scissors, whatever suits you)
6) That's where is starts being a bit clever: add a layer mask to "Blurred"
7) select the layer mask, fill the selection with black
8) still on the layer mask, apply the Wrap Map filter. It wil wrap the
gradient in "Map" around your selection.
9) So now your layer mask has a full black spot corresponding the the
sharp part of the picture, surrounded by a black to white area which is
your blur transition
10) Put "Blurred" on top, and make "Map" invisible if it's in the same
image, and you are done.
11) Using the the various color tools (curves, levels, contrast,
threshold) on the layer mask, you may alter the linearity of the
gradient and so adjust how the blur progression happens.
An example is available here; http://dl.free.fr/cnRwtXe8s
PS: If you need a transition significantly wider than 200 pixels, I
suggest that you prepare the selection/blur map on a scaled down image
(you can apply WrapMap on a plain layer in this case), then scale up the
layer to the right dimension, and copy/paste it to the layer mask. If
you don't know how top copy/paste to a layer mask, it's explained here:
http://blog.irisquest.net/2008/02/gimp-using-image-layer-layer-mask
