AmandaPanda

is there a way to create smooth displacements using images as map. Since displace filter has only 256 levels it consistently creates jaggy results when used with settings of 100% and above. So this filter works reasonably well for small displacements and small images, but try to displace group of pixels 500% in 10 by 10 inch file at 300 dpi even using silky smooth gradient. Desired effects can be achieved to some extent with liquify filter, but that filter in turn lacks ability to use images as maps. I hoped that 16-bit support in CS would extend to displace filter giving us 64000 levels insted of 256, but this is not the case. Gradients themselves can be very smooth now, but displace filter will not accept 16 bit files. Help.

Blinky2004

Hi idrisi, welcome to the community. [honesty]

I just wanted to let you know that your question has been seen, and that Stroker would be the best one to address this question in more detail.

I had an idea myself here that might have some effect, but i've not tested it. Perhaps you can, on a small file just to see how it works.

I'm thinking that if the image file used as the source for the Displacement was 2x the size it needed to be, you'd choose the "Stretch to Fit" option when applying it. As is usual when scaling images down, the lines of contrast get smoothed out somewhat. Perhaps this might create smoother displacement lines in the target image.

That's just an idea.

Stroker should be around shortly with a better explanation of things. Hopefully he'll have run this problem himself and has a workaround. [righton] Hopefully.

Stroker

I have run into this before. Never thoroughly studied it, though.
Right now, only two things:

1. Bigger D-Map more the size of your target, or maybe even bigger than the target image (good stab, Keeper)
2. Try different interpolation

The few tests that I've done in the past, those two things can make a little difference.

For the numbers given, I can't imagine the jaggies being too harsh, though. Talking roughly 1/3 movement across the total canvas.
Might have to work in Unsharp Mask or something after using Displace.

Hmm...

Stroker

Just did some quick tests.
target doc 2400x2400
Displace 450%/450%
using a variety of D-Maps of varying sizes that I just happen to have lying around.
Even tried the different interpolation settings that PS7 has to offer.
Got pretty bad jaggies everytime.
I think this can be chaulked up to 256.
Great. Now I have to add this to my things to talk about.

Alternatives?
Try morphing software, like WinMorph or MorphMan.
I hear Illustrator can do morphing/distorting.
As a last resort, a 3d prog might be able to do it.

Blinky2004

Aw shucks Stroker... you've been given a chance to be seen as a genius... the only one to offer a workaround/solution to this problem. Poor you! [bustagut]

If i can help at all let me know. [righton]

Stroker

Pfft!
Okay, there might be a Photoshop solution.
Get the SDK and see if it can handle 16bit.
If it can, write the plug.
Over at the Asylum, we have chatted about this in the past. I might drop another post over there to see if we can make it happen this time around.

AmandaPanda

Thank you for your efforts anyway. At least I know that I am not missing something obvious

Stroker

Last night I remembered another technique that I had played with a long time ago.
Instead of Displace 500%, try Displace 250% twice in a row.
Depending on the "motion", some funky things can happen (mixed blessing).
I might do some more playing with this idea later.