Filters

According to the Gimp 2.0 User Manual, "a filter is a plug-in that modifies the appearance of an image, in most cases just the active layer of the image."

Users familiar with Adobe Photoshop (PS) will recognize some of the filters in Gimp and many Gimp filters can be used or modified to simulate Photoshop-like effects or in many cases create effects unique to Gimp. The Filte r s menu includes underlined letters which refer to keyboard shortcuts. Access the Filters Menu by pressing Alt+r. Press the underlined letter in the filter name to access the effect without the need to use the mouse. The last filter can be quickly reapplied by pressing Ctrl+f.

This page includes filters in both stock GIMP and those provided by plug-ins, grouped as they are in the program menu.

B lur

 *  B lur -Quickly soften the focus of an image area. Photoshop Comparison: Blur->Blur; Blur More.


 *  G aussian Blur -Use a menu to soften the focus of an image area. Photoshop Comparison: Blur->Gaussian Blur.


 *  M otion Blur -Use a menu to create motion effects (Linear, Radial, or Zoom). Photoshop Comparison: Blur->Motion Blur; Radial Blur, Smart Blur.


 *  P ixelize -Simplify image area into low-res blocks (like identity-masking on TV). Photoshop Comparison: Pixelate->Mosaic.


 *  S elective Gaussian Blur -Soften focus of image areas within a user-defined range of values. Used to blur an object within an image, leaving other objects unaffected. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.


 *  T ileable Gaussian Blur -Runs a script to blur seams in a tiled background. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.

En h ance

 *  A ntialias -Removes artifacts from an image when converting to a lower resolution. Commonly used with text. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.


 *  D einterlace -Removes extra image info from interlaced video frames. Photoshop Comparison: Video->De-Interlace.


 * Des p eckle -Attempts to remove small defects from the image area. Photoshop Comparison:Noise->Despeckle.


 * Des t ripe -Introduces an interference pattern to correct vertical stripes from poor scans. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.


 *  N L (Non-Linear) Filter -Combines Despeckle, Sharpen, and Smooth to rework the appearance of focus on the entire image (requires an alpha layer to use). Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.


 *  R ed Eye Removal -Darkens red pupils from flash photography in a selected area. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.


 *  S harpen Photoshop Comparison: Sharpen->Sharpen, Sharpen More


 *  U nsharp Mask -Restores focused edges to images which have lost clarity while being digitized. Photoshop Comparison: Sharpen->Unsharp Mask

D istorts

 *  B linds - Skews the images into sections, much like blinds, hence the name. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.
 *  C urve Bend - Distorts the ends of the image, leaving a transparent background visible. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.
 *  E mboss - Carves the image, giving it relief with bumps and hollows. Bright areas are raised and dark ones are carved. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.
 * Engrave - The image is turned black and white and some horizontal lines of varying height are drawn depending on the value of underlying pixels. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.
 *  E rase Every Other Row - Does just that. Erases other other row or column. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined.
 *  I warp - Allows you to interactively skew the image. Photoshop Comparison: Liquify
 * W h irl & Pinch - Twists the image area around a radius like a pinwheel. Photoshop Comparison: Distort->Twirl. Distort->Pinch.

N oise

 *  H url -Creates randomized "snow" like an old TV with poor reception. Photoshop Comparison: Noise->Add Noise.

Edge-De t ect

 * Difference of Gaussians

G eneric

 * Wavelet Decompose ... -Breaks an image into a user-defined number of Wavelet Scale layers (default=5) and a Wavelet Residue layer. These Scale layers contain the sharp details of an image. The Residue layer includes a version of the image that appears to be out-of-focus. Selectively recombining layers will produce varying levels of detail from fuzzy to sharp. Photoshop Comparison: not yet determined