Tutorial Description
The Spin Blur allows you to add radial movement to a static image. In this episode, we use the Spin Blur to rotate the wheels and tires of a car, making it look like it is moving!
Controlling the Spin Blur
To create a Spin Blur on your image, first duplicate the Background layer and navigate to ‘Filter – Blur Gallery – Spin Blur”.
Within the Spin Blur dialog you will have access to several controls that will allow you to create an accurate blur. Adjust the location of the Spin Blur by clicking-and-dragging the center control point of the spin bur dialog. Move it to the location you want to blur.
To adjust the strength of the blur, move the Ring around the center of the spin blur clockwise, or change the “Blur Angle” in the control panel on the right side of the dialog box.
Adjust the Size, rotation, and feathering of the Spin Blur by moving the control points on the outer edges of the Spin Blur.
To move the blur center by holding ALT/OPTN and clicking-and-dragging the center control point of the Spin Blur.
To duplicate a Spin Blur, hold ALT/OPTN + CTRL/CMD + Click-and-Drag the center of the control point of the Spin Blur.
Older Versions of Photoshop
Spin Blur was added to the Blur Gallery in Photoshop cc 2014. If you are using an older version of Photoshop, you will still be able to spin objects in Photoshop, but the process is a bit more complicated.
For older versions, go to ‘Filter – Blur – Radial Blur’ and choose ‘Radial”. This will allow you to rotate around a central point in your image. To use the Radial Blur, first make a selection around the area you wish to blur, then load the filter. You can choose the blur radius to add less or more blur.
Masking and Creating Multiple Spin Blurs
It is a good idea to duplicate the Background layer before creating a Spin Blur so you can use a layer mask to make the blur visible only where you want it to show up.
Click on the Layer Mask Icon and paint black on the Layer Mask where you want to hide the Spin Blur.
To create multiple Spin Blurs, simply load several in the Spin Blur Filter, or if you need some areas to Overlap, use the Spin Blur Filter on multiple layers and mask in the areas you want each to be visible.
