Dent Node

Dent is a versatile circular distortion generator. Unlike Vortex (rotation around the center) or Displace (pattern-driven), Dent warps the image around a point with a specific radial algorithm based on the chosen Type.

Typical use: create a "local fisheye" lens effect, stylistically emphasize a focal point, or generate circular patterns from a flat input.

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

Dent 1 (bulge)

A convex bulging effect. Simulates a lens that pushes the image forward in the center.

Dent 2 (displacement)

A variant with a different mapping. Produces a more moderate distortion than Dent 1.

Dent 3 (deformation)

A third variant with an alternative distortion profile, often more creative.

Cosine Dent

A centered fracture with a cosine falloff. The effect fades out cleanly toward the outside.

Sine Dent

A smooth, rounded sine-based distortion. Very soft and organic, with no discontinuities.

Kaleidoscope

A distortion with a mirror/inversion effect around the center. Produces a psychedelic, kaleidoscope-like look.

• Input (orange) - the 2D image to distort.
• Effect Mask (blue) - optional. Limits the distortion to an area.

Focal bulge on a subject:
MediaIn → Dent (Dent 1, Center on the subject, moderate Size) → MediaOut

Psychedelic kaleidoscope:
MediaIn → Dent (Kaleidoscope, large Size) → MediaOut

Circular pattern from a texture:
Fast Noise → Dent (Sine Dent, large Size) → sRender → Merge

Focus emphasis effect:
MediaIn → Dent (Cosine Dent, controlled Size, moderate Strength)
       → MediaOut (draws the eye to the center)

Type

Choice of the 6 filters (see the dedicated section).

Center X / Y

Position of the center of the distortion. Default 0.5, 0.5 = image center. Can be moved with the crosshair in the viewer.

Size

Radius of the affected area. Small = localized dent, large = affects the whole image.

Strength

Overall strength of the distortion. Can be animated for it to appear/disappear.

• Local lens bulge effect - simulate a lens that magnifies the center of an area, like a magnifying glass. Dent 1 or Sine Dent depending on the effect you want.
• Stylized focal emphasis - draw the eye to a precise point with a light bulge + vignetting.
• Kaleidoscope effect - Type Kaleidoscope on a textured image = a psychedelic pattern for abstract motion graphics.
• Impact / shockwave - Dent with an animated Strength (0 → 1 → 0 over 8 frames) = an impact deformation like a visible shockwave.
• Dream / hallucination - a subtle animated Sine Dent on a narrative shot = a dreamy/altered mood.
• Procedural pattern generator - Fast Noise + Dent = circular patterns for abstract motion design backgrounds.
• Portal / energy vortex - combine Dent + Vortex + Glow = a sci-fi portal effect.

• Try every type - each Type gives a different look. It is hard to predict which one fits without testing. Explore all 6.
• Sine Dent = the softest, Dent 1 = the strongest. Cosine Dent = a compromise.
• Animated Center for movement - moving the Center over time makes the dent "travel" across the image.
• Kaleidoscope for abstract work only - this type is very particular, not for realistic compositing. Keep it for artistic motion graphics.
• Combine with a subtle Blur - circular distortions can create slight artifacts. A 0.5-1px Blur afterward smooths them out.
• Moderate Size to start - small adjustments often give better results than extreme Size values that can warp the whole shot.
• For a global fisheye bulge (over the whole image), prefer Lens Distort in Distort mode, which is dedicated and more precise.