Displace Node

Displace reads the luminance (or a chosen channel) of a displacement map and moves the pixels of the source image accordingly. Bright pixels in the map = displacement in one direction, dark pixels = displacement in the opposite direction (with a neutral value at mid-gray).

Combine it with an animated Fast Noise = an animated organic distortion. With a gradient = directional refraction. With a radial gradient = a glass/magnifier effect.

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

1. For each pixel, the node reads the matching value in the displacement map (selected channel).
2. X/Y mode: uses two separate channels (one for horizontal displacement, one for vertical) - typically Red for X, Green for Y.
3. Radial mode: the luminance moves the pixels outward (from a center) or inward.
4. Refraction Strength multiplies the amplitude of the displacement.

• Primary Image (orange) - the source image to warp.
• Displacement Map (green) - the image that controls the displacement. Animated Fast Noise, Plasma, gradient, custom image.
• Effect Mask (blue) - optional. Limits the warp to an area.

Heat haze (thermal distortion):
MediaIn (desert shot) → Displace → MediaOut
                          ↑
Fast Noise (animated, moderate contrast) → Displacement Map

Water ripples:
MediaIn → Displace → MediaOut
              ↑
Plasma (animated) ┘

Glass refraction (seen through glass):
MediaIn → Displace (Radial mode) → MediaOut
              ↑
sEllipse → sRender (radial gradient) → Displacement Map

Type

Radial: displacement from a center (lens/magnifier effect). X/Y: directional displacement controlled by separate channels.

X Refraction Channel / Y Refraction Channel

Channels of the map used for each axis (Red, Green, Blue, Alpha, Luminance). Standard: R for X, G for Y.

X Refraction / Y Refraction

Displacement amplitude per axis. A small value (0.005-0.02) for a subtle effect (heat haze), larger for a strong distortion.

Refraction Strength (Radial mode)

Overall amplitude in Radial mode.

Center X / Y (Radial mode)

Origin point of the radial displacement.

Light Power / Light Angle

Simulate directional lighting on the displaced surface - useful for a bevel or relief effect (not just pure distortion).

Spread

Softens the displacement transitions - avoids visible discontinuities when the map has harsh edges.

Edges

Canvas / Wrap / Duplicate / Mirror - behavior at the edges revealed by the displacement.

X/Y

Directional displacement. Channel R controls the X shift, Channel G controls the Y shift. Allows complex movement (water rippling in two directions).

Radial

Displacement from a Center point. The luminance of the map controls the displacement distance. For lens effects, glass balls, radial ripples.

Rule: directional / organic distortion → X/Y. Magnifier / lens / radial wave effect → Radial.

• Heat haze over desert or asphalt - an animated Fast Noise (moderate Contrast, high Scale) → Displace with X/Y Refraction 0.005 = a subtle thermal shimmer.
• Water ripples - an animated Plasma → Displace (X/Y Refraction 0.01) = a moving water reflection.
• Refraction through glass / crystal - a mask in the shape of the glass + a radial gradient → Radial Displace = the look of seeing through curved glass.
• Flag wave - a flag texture + a directional animated Fast Noise → Displace = a flat flag animated in the wind.
• Screen distortion glitch - animated horizontal bands as the map → Displace with only a high X Refraction = a horizontal CRT/VHS glitch effect.
• Plasma / psychedelic distortion - Plasma as the map + high Refraction = dreamlike distortion for dream / trippy scenes.
• Fire distortion aura - an animated vertical Fast Noise → Displace around a burning subject = the surrounding air visibly warps.
• 3D bevel / relief - a grayscale (height) map + Light Power/Angle = a lit relief effect, with distortion that follows the relief.

• Subtle values first - Refraction 0.005-0.01 is enough for a discreet, believable effect. 0.05+ = a very visible (artistic) distortion.
• Fast Noise for animated maps - the Fast Noise + Displace combo is the standard for organic distortion. Seethe Rate controls the animation speed.
• Map contrast is critical - if the map contrast is too high, the displacement is harsh with discontinuities. Spread compensates, but it is better to lower the contrast of the source map.
• R for X, G for Y (standard) - if the map has intentionally separate channels (e.g. a pro game engine map), follow that convention.
• Edges Duplicate or Mirror - avoids visible black edges when the displacement pushes pixels out of frame.
• Mask to localize - for heat haze only above a car, a polygon mask on that area = distortion only there.
• Combine with a light Blur - after a warp, a small Blur (0.5-1px) smooths out visible resampling artifacts.
• For complex mesh deformations (flowing flag, organic surface), use Grid Warp, which allows point-by-point control. Displace is for uniform procedural deformations.