Block displacement effect for fragmented images

Block Displacement relocates the contents of selected rectangular patches. Unlike a pixelation treatment, each displaced patch can retain detail from the source.

Use a recognizable shape with both flat color and fine detail. Moved patches can retain that detail; Macroblock deliberately flattens it.

Creative applications

• Fragment a cover image while leaving a recognizable subject.
• Move patches of lettering to create a damaged digital poster.

Starting workflow

1. Open Block Displacement on a source image with a clear subject.
2. Choose Block size, then lower Coverage to keep uninterrupted areas.
3. Adjust Displacement to move the selected patches and try Seed for a different arrangement.
4. Use Mix to compare the treatment against the original before exporting.

Key controls

Block size

Choose the rectangular patch scale before increasing displacement.

Default: 7% · Range: 1% to 30%

Mix

Blend the Block Displacement result with its input after the main treatment is established.

Default: 100% · Range: 0% to 100%

Practical tips

• Keep Coverage modest when the subject must remain recognizable at thumbnail size.
• Use larger blocks for deliberate cut-up compositions and smaller blocks for scattered damage.
• Keep Seed fixed when comparing Coverage and Displacement; change the arrangement only after choosing their balance.

Limitations

• The effect resamples image patches. It does not create editable collage layers or modify a file’s encoded data.