Achieving Better Blurs In Wayland: A Guide

Hey everyone! Are you looking to achieve a smoother, more "glassy" blur effect in your Wayland compositor, similar to the one shown in the example image? This is a common desire, as the default blur implementations can sometimes exhibit those unwanted "halos" around blurred elements. Let's dive into how you can refine your configuration to get those beautiful, clean blurs you're after. I'll break down the concepts, settings, and considerations to help you achieve the best possible results. Remember, the key is often a combination of techniques and a little bit of experimentation to find what works best for your specific setup.

Understanding the Blur Challenge

The Problem with Halos and Imperfect Blurs

Firstly, let's address the elephant in the room: those pesky halos. The "halos" you see around blurred windows are often a visual artifact of how the blur effect is implemented. They typically arise from the way the compositor samples and blends the background pixels. When the blur radius is too large, or the blur method isn't optimized, these visual glitches become more apparent. Achieving a truly "glassy" effect means minimizing or eliminating these imperfections so that the blurred elements appear as a smooth, aesthetically pleasing transition.

Why Default Blurs Sometimes Fall Short

Many Wayland compositors offer a default blur implementation, but this might not always be the most visually refined option. It's essential to understand that the quality of the blur depends on several factors, including the chosen blur method (like dual_kawase, which you're using), the blur size, and the performance of your graphics hardware. In the configuration you provided, the dual_kawase method is a good starting point, but we can fine-tune its settings to see if we can improve the blur's appearance.

Optimizing Your Configuration for Smoother Blurs

Let's get into the specifics of your configuration and explore some adjustments. Your current config, which includes the use of blur-background = true, shadow = true, and animations, is a great foundation. However, we'll focus on the blur-specific settings and other parameters that affect the visual quality.

Diving into Blur Methods and Size

• Method Selection: You're already using method = "dual_kawase", which is a good choice for achieving a quality blur. Other options might be available depending on your compositor. Consider experimenting with these, but stick with dual_kawase for now. Its strength is in the way it processes the image, effectively blurring it without creating harsh edges.
• Size Adjustment: The size = 20 parameter controls the blur radius. This value is critical. A larger size will produce a more intense blur, but it can also exacerbate the halo effect if not implemented correctly. Try lowering the size slightly. Something like size = 15 could be a good starting point. Conversely, a smaller size may result in a less noticeable blur.

The Role of Shadow Settings

• Shadow Configuration: Your configuration includes shadows, which can indirectly impact the appearance of the blur. While not directly causing the halos, the shadows and blur interact visually. Ensure that your shadow radius, offset-x, and offset-y are appropriately configured to complement the blur. Too large a shadow radius can make the overall effect less appealing, whereas a good balance can enhance the visual depth.
• Shadow Radius and Offset: Experiment with the shadow radius = 90, offset-x = -7, and offset-y = -7. The shadow should not be too prominent; it should only subtly enhance the window's visual separation from the background. Try reducing the shadow radius slightly if the shadows feel too overwhelming. Minor adjustments here can have a surprising effect on the overall look.

Fine-Tuning Animations and Opacity

• Animation Impact: The animations you've set up, triggered by