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Diffusion | Controls the softness of the glow as it spreads outwards from the light parts of the layer. Range: 0 to 2; Default: 0.25 |
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Threshold | A luminance threshold that controls which pixels emit the light glow. Pixels with luminance over this threshold will have a light glow; pixels with luminance under this threshold will not glow at all. Range: 0 to 1; Default: 0.7 |
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Intensity | Controls the brightness of the glow. At the default of 1.0, light areas will not get brighter, but will emit a glow into nearby darker areas. For higher values of intensity, the light areas of the layer will become even lighter and will emit an even stronger glow into nearby darker areas. Range: 0 to 5; Default: 1 |
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Color | A color to use instead of the original pixel color when rendering the glow. Default: |
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Blend | Controls the color of the glow. At 0% the original pixel color is used; at 100% the Color property is used. Values in between mix the original pixel color and glow color proportionally. The final mixed color is blended on top of the layer using the Screen blending mode. Range: 0% to 100%; Default: 25% |
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Halo | Creates a glowing ring in addition to the basic glow, similar to the first ring of the Airy pattern that occurs around an area of bloom. The value of Halo determines the brightness of the ring relative to the setting given for Intensity. Range: 0 to 5; Default: 0 |
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Alpha | Controls the opacity of the glow and the halo. Range: 0% to 100%; Default: 75% |
Usage
Photos and Videos
Apply Light Glow to any photo or video layer, then adjust Threshold and Diffusion as desired. It can be easier to see adjustments to Threshold if you temporarily set Diffusion to a lower value first (close to zero, but not zero), then increase it after adjusting Threshold.
Shapes and Text
The Light Glow effect doesn't extend beyond the edges of the layer, so if you want to apply it to shapes, text, or other solid color layers, first group the layers, then apply the effect to the group. Alternatively, you could add a rectangle layer on top of your project, add Copy Background first, and then apply Light Glow to add glows to lighter parts of all layers in your project.
With Other Effects
Light Glow can also be used together with other effects that include selectively brighter areas, such as Simple Starfield.
Color Blending
When adjusting Color, keep in mind that it is applied using the Screen blending mode, so be sure to choose colors that are lighter than the source media. For a more natural or subtle look, use a low value for Blend.
Use Cases
- Light Bloom: Set Blend to zero, Intensity to 2.0, and Threshold to 1.0. Then gradually decrease Threshold until only your desired bloom sources (windows, lanterns, flames, etc.) are emitting glow. Then adjust Diffusion and Intensity as desired. Optionally, adjust Halo to add just a hint of a halo around each bloom source.
- Magical Fire: Start with a video of fire, a match flame, a torch, or a similar light source. Set Threshold to 1.0, Diffusion to 0.3, Intensity to 4.0, Blend to 100%, and Color to whatever color you want to use for the magical fire (vibrant, highly saturated colors work best). Then gradually decrease Threshold until the glow appears just around the desired part. Adjust Halo, Alpha, and Diffusion as desired.