Directional Blur Node

Unlike the classic Blur, which spreads evenly in every direction, Directional Blur spreads along a specific direction. The Type you pick changes the effect dramatically:

• Linear - a blur like an object moving in one direction.
• Radial - an arc-shaped blur, like a rotation around a point.
• Centered - same as Linear but spread on both sides.
• Zoom - streaking from a center point outward.

• Effects Library: Tools > Blur > Directional Blur
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > Blur > Directional Blur

• Input (orange) - required. The 2D image to blur directionally.
• Effect Mask (blue) - optional. Limits the effect to a masked area.

MediaIn → Directional Blur → Merge 2D → Saver

Linear (default)

Stretches the image in a straight line along the chosen Angle. The effect of scenery rushing past the window of a moving train. Main use: simulated motion blur.

Radial

An arc-shaped blur around a Center X/Y. Simulates the camera rotating around a fixed point, or the view you would get from the locomotive of a train looking straight ahead.

Centered

Similar to Linear but the blur is spread on both sides of the original pixel. A softer, symmetrical effect - useful for a fake motion blur with no dominant direction.

Zoom

Stretches everything from a Center X/Y outward (or inward depending on the sign). Simulates a strong zoom with a slow shutter. An iconic effect for reveals or impacts in motion graphics.

Type

Menu to select the mode (see above).

Angle (in degrees)

Direction of the blur. In Linear/Centered modes, it sets the axis of the stretch. In Radial/Zoom, it "rotates" the camera around the same point.

Length

Strength and direction of the effect. Negative values reverse the direction. Values can go beyond the slider maximum when typed in directly.

Center X / Y

Coordinates of the center point (Radial and Zoom only). Sets where the streaking starts from.

Glow

Adds a glow to the effect to simulate the extra exposure of a long shutter speed. See the dedicated section.

Clipping Mode

Frame / Domain / None - same logic as on the standard Blur.

When a photographer uses a long exposure on a moving subject, the image gathers more light - the highlights bleed and produce a halo. The Glow parameter simulates that directly.

Usage: moderate Glow + high Length = the iconic "night street photo" look (car trails, neon signs spilling over). Without glow, the motion blur looks too "digital".

• Motion blur on a static element - a still image you want to move: Linear with a moderate Length to fake the motion.
• Cinematic zoom punch - Type Zoom, Length 50+, animated from 0 to max → an impact or reveal effect widely used in trailers.
• Fake camera rotation - Type Radial, Center in the middle of the subject. Simulates a camera rotating around an object without real 3D animation.
• Light trails - Linear with high Glow + a large Length on a night shot. Car headlights and street lamps turn into streaks.
• Stylized speed lines (anime/comic) - Linear or Zoom + strong contrast downstream = an anime look with speed lines.
• "Warp speed" transition (Star Wars style) - Type Zoom, Center in the middle of the image, Length animated from 0 to 200 for a hyperspace acceleration effect.

• Negative Length = reverse direction - useful in Radial/Zoom to reverse the direction of the rotation or zoom.
• Animating Length from 0 to max almost always looks better than keeping Length fixed - the blur kicks in in sync with the movement.
• A subtle glow beats a strong one - start at 10-20% and then go up. A glow that is too strong washes the image out under the halo.
• In Zoom mode, the Center is critical - make sure it lines up with the visual center of the subject, otherwise the effect looks unbalanced.
• Combining with a Merge 2D - Directional Blur on a copy, merged with the original in Apply Mode = Screen = a glowing halo without losing the sharpness of the original image. A classic motion graphics technique.
• Difference with Vector Motion Blur - Directional Blur applies a uniform direction. If you have a motion vector pass (from a 3D render), Vector Motion Blur gives a much more realistic per-pixel result.