Abstract: Methods and apparatus for specifying complex continuous gradients. A field blur tool may provide a user interface through which users may apply instances of a field blur pattern. The field blur tool allows the user to place one, two, or more pins over the image and to specify the blur amount (blur radius) at each field blur pin. A blur algorithm distributes the blur values for the one or more instances of the field blur pattern over the entire image, applying the blur according to the locations of the pin(s) and blur parameters at the pin(s). If the input indicates the location and the value for the blur radius of each of two or more instances of the field blur pattern, the two or more instances of the field blur pattern are combined in a blur mask by multiplying normalized radius fields of each of the instances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing simultaneous, non-destructive blur patterns in an interactive environment. A blur module may render physically-realistic, spatially-varying blurs in digital images while at the same time giving users the flexibility to produce creative blur effects. The blur module may provide different types of blur patterns, including field blur, iris blur, and tilt-shift blur, all of which are available in a given session. Each different blur pattern can be combined with one or more of the other blur patterns non-destructively. Each blur pattern has a corresponding on-canvas user interface element or elements that can be manipulated for a live preview. A bokeh technique may be provided to create bokeh effects in digital images by simulating bokeh in the resultant blurred image. A selection bleed technique may be provided that allows the user to control bleeding at the edges of selections for any of the blur patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating bokeh effects in digital images. A bokeh technique is described that may provide double threshold image bokeh boosting. The bokeh effect may be controlled by a boost amount, an upper threshold value, and a lower threshold value. Colorfulness may be added to the bokeh effect applied to specular highlights according to a variable colorfulness value. A soft threshold may be implemented that results in most but not all energy of the boosting of the intensity falling between the upper and lower threshold values. The bokeh technique may achieve creative bokeh effects in digital images by simulating bokeh in the resultant blurred image. The bokeh technique may, for example, be used in combination with any of various blur patterns, and also may be used with combinations of two or more blur patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling bleeding at the edges of a blur region or selection. A technique for aesthetically controlling the bleeding of blur introduced by blurring selections, referred to herein as a selection bleed technique, may enable continuous adjustment of the amount of bleeding of image blurs between a selected image region and its complement (the unselected region, e.g. the background). The selection bleed technique may allow selections to go from no-bleed to full-bleed and in between via a percentage indicated by one or more user interface elements, for example a slider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for specifying complex continuous gradients. A field blur tool may provide a user interface through which users may apply instances of a field blur pattern. The field blur tool allows the user to place one, two, or more pins over the image and to specify the blur amount (blur radius) at each field blur pin. A blur algorithm distributes the blur values for the one or more instances of the field blur pattern over the entire image, applying the blur according to the locations of the pin(s) and blur parameters at the pin(s). If the input indicates the location and the value for the blur radius of each of two or more instances of the field blur pattern, the two or more instances of the field blur pattern are combined in a blur mask by multiplying normalized radius fields of each of the instances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling bleeding at the edges of a blur region or selection. A technique for aesthetically controlling the bleeding of blur introduced by blurring selections, referred to herein as a selection bleed technique, may enable continuous adjustment of the amount of bleeding of image blurs between a selected image region and its complement (the unselected region, e.g. the background). The selection bleed technique may allow selections to go from no-bleed to full-bleed and in between via a percentage indicated by one or more user interface elements, for example a slider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing simultaneous, non-destructive blur patterns in an interactive environment. A blur module may render physically-realistic, spatially-varying blurs in digital images while at the same time giving users the flexibility to produce creative blur effects. The blur module may provide different types of blur patterns, including field blur, iris blur, and tilt-shift blur, all of which are available in a given session. Each different blur pattern can be combined with one or more of the other blur patterns non-destructively. Each blur pattern has a corresponding on-canvas user interface element or elements that can be manipulated for a live preview. A bokeh technique may be provided to create bokeh effects in digital images by simulating bokeh in the resultant blurred image. A selection bleed technique may be provided that allows the user to control bleeding at the edges of selections for any of the blur patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating bokeh effects in digital images. A bokeh technique is described that may provide double threshold image bokeh boosting. The bokeh effect may be controlled by a boost amount, an upper threshold value, and a lower threshold value. Colorfulness may be added to the bokeh effect applied to specular highlights according to a variable colorfulness value. A soft threshold may be implemented that results in most but not all energy of the boosting of the intensity falling between the upper and lower threshold values. The bokeh technique may achieve creative bokeh effects in digital images by simulating bokeh in the resultant blurred image. The bokeh technique may, for example, be used in combination with any of various blur patterns, and also may be used with combinations of two or more blur patterns.