### 5.16. Whirl and Pinch

#### 5.16.1. Overview

Figure 17.99. Example for the Whirl and Pinch filter

Original image

Filter applied

“Whirl and Pinch” distorts your image in a concentric way.

“Whirl” (applying a non-zero Whirlangle) distorts the image much like the little whirlpool that appears when you empty your bath.

“Pinch”, with a nil rotation, can be compared to applying your image to a soft rubber surface and squeezing the edges or corners. If the Pinch amount slider is set to a negative value, it will look as if someone tried to push a round object up toward you from behind the rubber skin. If the Pinch amount is set to a positive value, it looks like someone is dragging or sucking on the surface from behind, and away from you.

| Tip
The “pinch” effect can sometimes be used to compensate for image distortion produced by telephoto or fish-eye lenses (“barrel distortion”).

Figure 17.100. Illustration

Original image

Whirled

Pinched

#### 5.16.2. Activating the Filter

This filter is found in the main menu under Filters → Distorts → Whirl and Pinch….

#### 5.16.3. Options

Figure 17.101. “Whirl and Pinch” filter options

Presets, “Input Type”, Clipping, Blending Options, Preview, Merge filter, Split view

  | Note
  These options are described in Section 2, “Common Features”.

Whirl

  The clockwise or counter clockwise angle (-360 to +360). Controls how many degrees the affected part of the image is rotated.

Pinch

  The pinch amount (-1 to +1) determines how strongly the affected part of the image is pinched.

Radius

  Whirlpool width (0.0-2.0). Determines how much of the image is affected by the distortion. If you set `Radius` to 2, the entire image will be affected. If you set `Radius` to 1, half the image will be affected. If `Radius` is set to 0, nothing will be affected (think of it as the radius in a circle with 0 in the center and 1 halfway out).

5.15. Waves |  | 5.17. Wind

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