Types of onscreen controls

Several onscreen controls are common to many filters. Other onscreen controls are unique to specific filters. The following list provides examples of the types of controls available. If you’re unsure of an onscreen control’s function, drag it in the Canvas while viewing the Filters Inspector to see which parameter value changes.

  • Center: The most common filter onscreen control. Drag in the center of the circle to reposition the filter’s Center parameter (the center of the effect).

    Light Rays filter Center onscreen control
  • Amount: An onscreen control with different representations, depending on the filter. In the Zoom Blur filter, drag the small circular handle (above the Center onscreen control) to adjust the Amount parameter.

    Zoom Blur filter Amount onscreen control

    In the Prism filter, drag the arrow handle inward or outward to adjust the Amount parameter. (Dragging the arrow in an arc adjusts the Angle parameter.)

  • Angle: An onscreen control with different representations, depending on the filter. In the Page Curl Filter, drag the circular middle handle to adjust the Angle parameter. In the Kaleidotile filter, drag a corner handle to adjust the Angle parameter.

    Kaleidotile filter Angle onscreen control
  • Rotate/Rotation/Twirl: An onscreen control with different representations, depending on the filter. In the Page Curl Filter, drag the outer arrow handle to adjust the Rotation parameter. In the Scrape, Stripes, and Target filters, drag the small outer handle to adjust the Rotation parameter.

    Scrape filter Rotation onscreen control
  • Radius/Thickness/Size/Falloff: An onscreen control with different representations, depending on the filter. In the Disc Warp and Circle Blur filters, drag the large ring inward and outward to adjust the Radius parameter. In the Droplet and Ring Lens filters, drag the inner ring to adjust the Radius and Thickness parameters simultaneously. Drag in the area between the inner and outer rings to adjust the Radius parameter. Drag the outer ring to adjust the Thickness parameter.

    Ring Lens filter Thickness onscreen control

    In the Vignette filter, drag the inner ring to adjust the Size parameter, and drag the outer ring to adjust the Falloff parameter. Drag in the area between the inner and outer ring to adjust both parameters simultaneously.

  • Segment Angle/Offset Angle: An onscreen control with multiple representations, depending on the filter. In the Kaleidoscope filter, drag the outer handle to adjust the Segment Angle parameter. Drag the middle handle (between the center and outer handle) to adjust the Offset Angle parameter.

    Kaleidoscope filter Offset Angle onscreen control