Image tearing effect with Waveform Tear

Waveform Tear shifts image rows around a movable tear position. Opposing horizontal offsets create a sheared image, while motion can carry the tear through the frame.

Choose a strong upright edge and move Tear position through it. Rows on opposing sides shift horizontally; the position control does not rotate the seam.

Creative applications

• Shear a portrait or cover image across a chosen height.
• Create an unstable signal treatment for bold graphic artwork.

Starting workflow

1. Open Waveform Tear and pause playback to compare the tear placement.
2. Move Tear position and adjust Tear width to place the transition across your image.
3. Adjust Tear amount, then run motion to compare Snap levels, Shimmy rate, and Drift speed.
4. Reduce Mix if important edges become unreadable, then export.

Key controls

Tear position

Place the tear transition vertically within the image.

Default: 0.62 · Range: 0 to 1

Tear amount

Set the horizontal shear applied to image rows.

Default: 0.028 · Range: 0 to 0.12

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 shader displaces rows horizontally around a vertical position; it has no seam-angle control.