Fire

Fire simulates a wide variety of flames and flame-like effects. Using direction controls, you can simulate effects far beyond simple fires, like rocket exhaust. Color controls allow you to simulate anything from blue propane flames and to white hot blast furnaces.

### Basic Tab

Create Output on New Layer Above Current

Creates a layer above the working layer (in Photoshop and Elements only) and renders the effect to it.

If you switch filters from within a filter window, the new layer feature will be disabled in the filter you’ve switched to. If you want to apply a filter in a new layer, make sure you start with the filter you plan to apply.

Create Output In New Layer Above Current is unavailble when recording actions in Photoshop. Clear this checkbox when recording actions.

Fire Direction

Controls the direction in which the fire column travels. Click and drag within the control box to change the direction, or enter a value between 0 and 360 degrees.

Column Length

Controls the length of the fire column.

Flame Width

Controls the average width of the smaller flames forming the fire column.

Left to right: Increasing Flame Width.

Expansion

Controls the growth of the column into a V-shape. High values widen the V.

Left to right: Increasing Expansion.

Waver

Controls the amount of meandering in the fire column. Higher values increase the twisting. Low values render fire that travels along a linear path.

Turbulence

Adds twisting details to the tips of the flame. High values resemble flickering.

Left to right: Increasing Turbulence.

Flame Intensity

Brightens the inside color to simulate hotter flames. Higher values appear "white hot."

Left to right: Increasing Flame Intensity.

Soften Edges

Blurs the edges of the flames and elevates the fire above the selection. High values soften the flame more.

Left to right: Softened edges.

Start From Bottom

Select this option to cover the entire selection with fire.

Mask Selection

Select this option to make the effect appear to rise from the back of the selection.

Random Seed

Controls the random elements of this filter. Click it until you get a result you like.

### Colors Tab

Natural Flame Colors

Select this option to simulate common fire tinting, like a match or campfire. Clear Natural Flame Colors to enable the gradient editor. For more information on using gradients, see Gradient Editor.