How to Use the Illusion Effect in Gimp

Find a suitable image and open the picture in GIMP., After opening the image, click on FILTERS and MAPPING to find and select the ILLUSION map., More divisions will cause the algorithm to divide the image into more segments creating different...

9 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Find a suitable image and open the picture in GIMP.

    For special effects like this, I like to select images that don't stand alone as a good pictures.

    This picture is not the greatest.

    The lighting is flat and the background is kind of distracting; however, the eyes and facial expression have some impact, so the image may be improved with a special effect.
  2. Step 2: After opening the image

    This will open the toolbox for the Illusion Effect.

    Notice you can choose from two different types of illusions and adjust each mode by altering the number of divisions. , You can set divisions with a negative or positive number and each one will cause a completely different look for your creation.

    As you adjust the divisions and modes you can see the results in the preview window.

    You can also change the zoom of the preview window to preview different parts of the image. , This was done in Mode 2 with +8 divisions.

    I don't like it at all, so time to click UNDO and start over.

    GIMP makes this easy by allowing you to choose to render an image in a new window.

    Simply close the new window without saving and start over. , This was done with Mode 1 and plus 32 divisions. , It shows off the best features of the model's face, her eyes and lips.

    It gets rid of the distracting background and hides the bad lighting.

    This one was done at Mode 1 with
    -16 divisions.

    The applet requires a lot of experimentation, but with the right image and a little patience, you can turn a bland photograph into something interesting and possibly artistic.
  3. Step 3: click on FILTERS and MAPPING to find and select the ILLUSION map.

  4. Step 4: More divisions will cause the algorithm to divide the image into more segments creating different looks.

  5. Step 5: This was my first attempt.

  6. Step 6: The second illusion is better

  7. Step 7: but too busy for my taste.

  8. Step 8: After some experimentation

  9. Step 9: I finally got one that I like.

Detailed Guide

For special effects like this, I like to select images that don't stand alone as a good pictures.

This picture is not the greatest.

The lighting is flat and the background is kind of distracting; however, the eyes and facial expression have some impact, so the image may be improved with a special effect.

This will open the toolbox for the Illusion Effect.

Notice you can choose from two different types of illusions and adjust each mode by altering the number of divisions. , You can set divisions with a negative or positive number and each one will cause a completely different look for your creation.

As you adjust the divisions and modes you can see the results in the preview window.

You can also change the zoom of the preview window to preview different parts of the image. , This was done in Mode 2 with +8 divisions.

I don't like it at all, so time to click UNDO and start over.

GIMP makes this easy by allowing you to choose to render an image in a new window.

Simply close the new window without saving and start over. , This was done with Mode 1 and plus 32 divisions. , It shows off the best features of the model's face, her eyes and lips.

It gets rid of the distracting background and hides the bad lighting.

This one was done at Mode 1 with
-16 divisions.

The applet requires a lot of experimentation, but with the right image and a little patience, you can turn a bland photograph into something interesting and possibly artistic.

About the Author

A

Alexander Young

Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.

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