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Defocus size

Besides the regular size knob there is also the maximum knob (a.k.a. max size). Understanding and using it properly can help get better results.

Note

This is only important for depth based defocus, as 2D defocus will have the max size set to the regular size.

Camera based defocus uses another algorithm, which clamps at the max size.

Understanding the maximum knob

The regular size knob will set the size of the defocus in pixels when something is out of focus, in the far field.

The maximum controls two things simultaneously:

  1. The maximum sets the maximum defocus size across the entire image. This is a clamping value.
  2. The maximum defines the defocus size in the near field.

Example

If the size knob is set to 5, the defocus size in the far field will be 5. If the maximum knob is set to 5, it will also be 5 in the near field. Lowering this value would clamp the size for the entire image.

However, increasing the maximum knob, for example to 10, will result in a defocus size of 10 in the near field.

This is shown in this following video. First, size and maximum are set to the same value, resulting in the same defocus across the image. Then: maximum is increased and shows that the near field also increases.