What is Pixel Sorting?

Pixel sorting rearranges pixels based on brightness or color values. The algorithm scans rows (or columns), finds pixels that meet a threshold, and reorders them. The effect: images that look like they're melting.

Getting Started

Load your image

Go to Effects > Pixel Sort

Pick a direction (horizontal or vertical)

Adjust threshold to control which pixels get sorted

Thresholds

The threshold sets the trigger point:

0-30%: Only dark pixels sort. Subtle streaks.

30-70%: Middle ground. Works for most images.

70-100%: Almost everything sorts. Heavy distortion.

Tips

Layer effects. Pixel sort first, then RGB shift.

Use high contrast images. Strong light/dark separation creates more dramatic results.

Direction matters. Vertical feels like rain or dripping. Horizontal feels like wind or speed.

Good Subjects

Portraits: hair turns liquid

Cityscapes: buildings bleed into sky

Trees and foliage: cascade effect

Go Break Something

Crank the threshold. See what happens.