How to use the Blur Brush in Photo 2?

[SymbioticDesign]

I haven't been able to figure it out.  

https://affinity.help/photo/en-US.lproj/index.html?page=pages/Tools/tools_blurBrush.html?title=Blur Brush Tool

My brush settings:

• 360 pixel
• Opacity 100%
• Flow 100%
• Hardness 94%

Nothing ever happens. I never actually got it working in Photo version 1, either.

There are work arounds, but this would be so convenient if it worked.

I've tried doing it in a selection, as well.

So, obviously I am messing up somewhere. Any ideas?  

Thanks!

[Old Bruce]

1 hour ago, SymbioticDesign said:

Nothing ever happens. I never actually got it working in Photo version 1, either.

Are you working with a Pixel layer or an Image layer or another type of non-pixel layer?

[walt.farrell]

I have vague memories that suggest:

1. Try turning off Hardware Acceleration or (Mac) Metal. 

2. Try adjusting Flow lower.

[SymbioticDesign]

I'm on a pixel layer that is inside an elipse, but I have been trying it on regular old pixel layers, as well.  Just loaded a jpg and tried it with a 360 pixel brush (almost this entire document size), opacity is 100%, Flow is 88%, hardness is 95%. No stabilizer. Length is 35.  Symmetry, Mirror and lock are off.

Yeah, I'm on a mac, I'll have to check on that metal setting. Lower flow, though, eh?  OK. Brought it down to 35% Flow, nothing yet.  Going to look for Metal...

Should I check 'Only use integrated GPU' (it wasn't checked before)? I can't get Metal off the drop down, but it seems ghosted.  I'll have to restart and not ready for that, yet.

[SymbioticDesign]

OK, so it appears impossible for me to take a screenshot, but that dialogue box has...

Metal in a drop down. Underneath that there is a checkmark option: Only use integrated GPU (requires restart).

Below that at the bottom, there is a checkmarked Hardware Acceleration: Enable Metal compute Acceleration, Apple M2 Mac ...(which I have).

If I uncheck it, the Metal dropdown above that [and above Retina Rendering; Automatic (Best)]  becomes unghosted and I can select stuff... but I have an M2 Mac, so not unchecking it.

I still have to reboot after checkmarking 'Only use integrated GPU'...  Not going to reboot for a bit, I have some projects loaded.

[Old Bruce]

14 minutes ago, SymbioticDesign said:

I'm on a pixel layer that is inside an elipse, but I have been trying it on regular old pixel layers, as well.  Just loaded a jpg and tried it with a 360 pixel brush (almost this entire document size), opacity is 100%, Flow is 88%, hardness is 95%. No stabilizer. Length is 35.  Symmetry, Mirror and lock are off.

What actual Brush are you using? I get the best results with a basic brush.

[SymbioticDesign]

That's probably it. I had no idea there wasn't a default brush?