Ripples

Ripples’ three modes create anything from perfect concentric waves to the random surface waves of a pond on a windy day. You can add reflection maps to create a shiny surface and use refraction controls to make images look like they are underwater. You can use the Time control to make GIF animations.

### Basic Tab

Ripple Generator

Choose one of three modes:

• Raindrops—Creates circular waves emanating from distinct points. Adding more than one raindrop creates overlapping ripples.

Raindrops mode.

• Expand from Selection—Creates concentric waves radiating from selection edges.

Expand from Selection mode

• None—Covers the entire selection with random waves.

Random waves in None mode.

Number of Raindrops

Selects the number of rain impact points in your selection.

Ripple Wavelength

Controls the average distance between wave crests.

Time

Chooses a moment in the timeline of ripple formation and dissipation. Early in the timeline, wavelengths are small and radiate directly from the selection or raindrop. In the latter stages of wave development, the ripples move away from the selection and dissipate.

Random Wave Amplitude

Adds random ripples to the surface of your selection. Higher values create taller waves.

Left to right: Increasing Random Wave Amplitude.

Random Wave Wavelength

Controls the average spacing between random wave crests. Extremely low values speckle the surface with tiny ripples. High values create large swells.

Left to right: Increasing Random Wave Wavelength.

Note: This value is linked to Ripple Wavelength.

Refraction

Controls the strength of distortion in opaque selections. Refracted selections look like they are under water. To be visible, Refraction must be used in an opaque layer.

Left to right: Increasing Refraction.

Draw Outside Selection

Select this option to fill the entire layer with ripples.

Random Seed

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

### Lighting Tab

#### Lighting Controls

Direction

Controls the direction from which the light falls on the surface. Click and drag within the lighting control box to change the direction, or enter a value between 0 and 360 degrees.

Inclination

Controls the angle formed by the light and the page. Click and drag within the lighting control box to change the inclination, or enter a value between 0 and 90 degrees.

Highlight Brightness

Controls the intensity of the shiny highlights appearing on the surface.

Highlight Size

Controls the size of the shiny highlights on areas facing the light; higher values yield larger highlights.

Highlight Color

Choose any color for the shiny highlights. For more information on color selection, see Color Selection Tools.

#### Reflection Map Controls

None

Choose this option if you do not want an image reflected on the surface of your liquid.

Select From File

Selects a reflection map file. Reflection maps color the wave contours to simulate a shiny liquid surface.

Reflection Strength

Controls the opacity of the reflection map. Higher values yield a brighter, more reflective surface. Lower values allow more of the original selection to shine through.