Image tearing effect with Waveform Tear
Waveform Tear shears the image in opposite directions on either side of a movable tear. Motion can carry the tear through the frame, and Tear angle tilts it so the break runs diagonally.
Choose a strong upright edge and move Tear position through it. With Tear angle at zero the seam is horizontal and rows shift sideways; tilting the seam shears along its new direction.
Creative applications
- Shear a portrait or cover image across a chosen height.
- Create an unstable signal treatment for bold graphic artwork.
Starting workflow
- Open Waveform Tear and pause playback to compare the tear placement.
- Move Tear position and adjust Tear width to place the transition across your image.
- Adjust Tear amount, then run motion to compare Snap levels, Shimmy rate, and Drift speed.
- Reduce Mix if important edges become unreadable, then export.
Key controls
- Tear position
Set the manual base value. Built-in uses the effect’s original movement with its existing speed or movement controls. Off holds this property while unrelated animation can continue. Shared and Custom follow only their selected pattern.
Default: 0.62 · Range: 0 to 1
- Tear amount
Set how far each side of the tear shears.
Default: 0.028 · Range: 0 to 0.12
- Tear angle
Tilt the seam up to 60 degrees either way; zero is the horizontal tear.
Default: 0deg · Range: -60deg to 60deg
- Tear width
Control how quickly the shear reaches full strength away from the tear position.
Default: 0.12 · Range: 0.01 to 0.4
- Mix
Blend the sheared result with the source.
Default: 100% · Range: 0% to 100%
Practical tips
- Set Drift speed to zero when comparing shimmy without moving the tear position.
- Inspect both sides of the tear rather than judging only the most displaced edge.
- Pause at the same time when comparing Tear width and Tear amount so motion does not change the position during the comparison.
Limitations
- The seam tilts at most 60 degrees; use Column Shear for vertical breaks.
