Everything you need to know about Motion Blur
Motion Blur simulates the streaking effect caused by rapid movement, either of the camera or the subject. Create dynamic action shots, simulate speed, or add a sense of motion to static images by blurring along a specific direction.
Parameters
- Angle
Sets the direction of the motion blur in degrees (0°–360°). 0° creates horizontal blur to the right. 90° creates vertical blur upward. 180° blurs to the left. 270° blurs downward. Intermediate values create diagonal motion streaks. - Distance
Controls the length of the blur streaks in pixels (0–100px). Low values (5–15px) create subtle motion hints. Higher values (40–100px) produce dramatic speed lines and strong motion effects.
How It Works
The filter samples 32 points along a line centered on each pixel, extending in both directions according to the specified angle. These samples are averaged together, creating a smooth directional blur that simulates how a camera captures movement.
Common Angles
- 0° / 180° – Horizontal motion (left-right movement)
- 90° / 270° – Vertical motion (up-down movement)
- 45° / 135° – Diagonal motion (corner to corner)
Tips
- Match the angle to the direction of movement in your scene for realistic results
- Use subtle motion blur (10–20px) to suggest gentle movement
- Apply strong motion blur (50–100px) for dramatic speed and action effects
- Great for creating a sense of velocity in vehicle, sports, or action photography