Aircraft Engine Blur Effect

Flight Simulator Knowledge Base .: Tutorials .: Graphics Tutorials .: Aircraft Engine Blur Effect

Author	Frank
Created	11-15-2003
Rating	(None)

A Photoshop Tutorial

1) First you must determine the strength of the jetwash and the direction it is traveling in

2) Starting from about a half an inch from the engine (depending on the size of the image your working with), using the circular selection tool, make a small circle selection. Now, following the same path that you determined in step 1 above, work back, increasing the size of the selection for each circle you make. ALSO, please note that the environment plays a part as well. For instance, if your aircraft is at a 45 degree pitch on takeoff, your heat blur will be rolling down the runway as the aircraft’s exhaust in pointed more on an angle to the ground.

This selection will be the basis for our gausin blur effect. This effect is the heat blur that has not blended 100% with the outside air, but is in the process of doing so. This blur usually spreads well and has no distinct mould to it.

3) Now, repeat step 2 above, working INSIDE the gausin blur effect and select a smaller area in the same fashion. You can make determinations based on the size of the image as to the blurriness you wish to set. NOTE: it is important to leave a portion of the outer blur for the effect.

4) You are now ready for the ocean ripple filter.

5) Your detail of the ripple again depends on your image size. You do not want too much distortion, so stay in the low numbers. This distortion is the direct heat/air mixture from the engine and it literally bursting from the engine. It travels at a higher rate of speed than the gausin blur area and should be on a more defined path. It blends the most toward the end of the effect. Keep that in mind when you are using the smudge tool at the end of this process.

6) Then, you may have some areas of the blur that are sharp edges and very noticeable on the image, use the smudge tool to even these out. Small, short bursts in the same direction as the jetwash.

I hope this helps you all in your quest for the perfect image! It takes a little bit of practice, as well as a little understanding of the effect and how it occurs in real life.

Hope to see some awesome screenshots!!! Happy flying!